“Yeah. I—” Look at that wondering smile. It transformed Early into someone Connor wasn’t sure he’d ever seen.
“That’s better. That’s my cowboy. Give me a kiss.” He didn’t wait, he just leaned right in. He definitely had misgivings and worries of his own about the ranch and no idea how they’d make it work, but his job right now was to be a good husband and get Early through a tough couple of days.
Then they’d decide what to do next. They had to.
5
“Amen.” Early glanced at the boys, who studiously repeated after him.
They went to First UU in Denver, so the boys knew about all sorts of religions, traditions, and they were growing up to ask good questions, but this was their first funeral, and they were uncomfortable and a little wigged out. He could tell.
“Daddy? Do we have to go watch them bury him?” Jayden whispered. “Can’t we just go have lunch?”
Early thought about that, but not for long. “Yes. Yes, we can. Let me talk to Papaw, and tell them we’ll meet for lunch at the Taphouse, okay?”
Connor leaned closer. “You sure, honey? I can take them if you want to go.”
“No. No, the boys are right. We’ve said goodbye. They’ve been amazing. Everyone will understand.” He left the boys with Connor once the church started to empty out. “I’m taking the boys to lunch. They don’t need to see a coffin in the ground.”
“They’ve been very good. Even Mommama said so.” Daddy winked at him, looking tired. “You go on, we’ll see you there.”
“Love you.” He headed to the boys. “Come on, y’all. Let’s go to the truck. Y’all can change out of the monkey suits in the back.”
Jaxson giggled softly. “Ook ook ook.”
“Everyone looks so nice though, I wish I could get a picture of us.” Connor shrugged. “I guess that’s not appropriate at a funeral.”
“Probably not. And Jayden is already half naked…” Early snatched Jayden’s clip-on tie out of the air as it went flying by.
“Well, you still look hot.” Connor rested a hand on his thigh.
“Thank you. I’m in my Western best.”
“It suits you. My handsome man.”
“Ew,” Jaxson complained from the back seat.
Jayden joined in. “Lalala. Yuck.”
“One day, you’ll be madly in love, and then I’ll be teasing you two.”
“Nope. I’m never going be gooey like you.” Jayden said, nose wrinkling. “I’m going to be a batchedor.”
“Is that some sort of dog, son?”
“It’s when you don’t want a…sniffigan other, Daddy!” Jayden sighed like they were the dumbest parents on earth.
Connor cracked up, just busted out laughing, doubled over in his seat. He was no help at all.
“Ah. Well, I am super lucky your dad decided to sniff me.”
Jaxson didn’t seem to follow at all. “You smell good, Daddy, don’t worry.”
Connor sat up, pink-faced and still giggling. “You smell great, I promise.”
“Thank you both. I appreciate it. Irish Spring, Outlaw, and deodorant. It’s a good mixture.” Early managed a straight face, but he did it. Connor had given his Stetson cologne a nix about seventeen seconds into their love affair.
“Wow. Okay.” Connor took a breath. “Are you two dressed?”