Page 91 of Duke
MOLLIE: Interesting you send me this text after you and Duke spent some time together [side eye emoji]
WHEELER: No comment.
WHEELER: But he has been wonderful
WHEELER: Haines says he’ll take Duke if I don’t want him
MOLLIE: My sweet angel baby, you want him. You just have to let yourself have him.
WHEELER: Easier said than done.
MOLLIE: That’s why I’m here [purple devil emoji]
CHAPTER 21
Patterns
Duke
“You’re awful chipper this morning.” Ryder unhooks his horse from the crossties. “Any reason in particular you’re Mr. Fucking Rogers today?”
I hadn’t realized I was whistling until…well, right now.
The tune dies on my lips. That’s when I realize the base of my skull is buzzing. Jesus, even my Ryder radar can’t break through my good mood today.
My brother screws up his face. “Is that—Lord, it’s the Jonas Brothers, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“Yes, you do. Mr. Rogers would be appalled.” Ryder grins. “Boy, you got it bad.”
“Shut up.” I climb into the saddle and take the reins. Much as I loved being away for a bit, it’s nice to be back. “I told you, Wheeler and I aren’t together. She’s just staying with me so I can keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s okay. Morning sickness has hit her pretty hard.”
“So she stayed in her bed, and you—”
“Stayed in mine, yes.” Although it near about killed me. Knowing Wheeler was right there on the other side of the hall had me seriously considering all kinds of stupid shit.
Sucks to be a gentleman sometimes.
“And y’all didn’t have, like, any kind of shared shower situation or—”
“Remember that time in sixth grade when I punched you in the mouth?”
Ryder grins, and we head outside into the gray dawn. “How could I forget?”
“Let’s not have a repeat today, all right?”
“All right, all right.”
We’re quiet as we head for the southwest pasture, where we’re going to meet John B to check on some calves. Mollie has an early doctor’s appointment this morning, so Cash is sleeping in and going with her. He’ll be at the ranch office a little before lunch. Wyatt and Sawyer drove over to the Rivers side of the ranch, where they’re overseeing the installation of some new irrigation.
So it’s just me and Ryder and the quiet clap of our horses’ hooves. It’s barely past five a.m., but the horizon is already starting to turn to gray. Spring is in full bloom. The branches of the old oaks we pass are covered in new leaves. The ground is soft, fragrant from recent rain. The air is cool. A breeze will keep the day from getting too hot.
It’s my favorite time of year on the ranch. Fall is branding season, so we’re always crazy busy. Winter is boring and cold, and summer is an absolute nightmare thanks to the heat.
But spring? Spring is just right. Glancing across the acres and acres of land that stretch out before us, I’m struck by just how beautiful this place is. Dallas was pretty in its own way, with its hipster hangouts and buzzing energy. But I love this too—the wide-open spaces, the canyons, the brush, the quiet.
I’ve always been a country boy who dreamed of the big city. I thought I’d like the city better. And I do like it.
