“Bummer. They’re going to learn a ton out here. I have been running tests on the well water. It’s in great shape. And there’s a glorious bit of river toward the back of the property. Rainbow trout, honey. I’m getting fly rods for all of us.”
“I’m sure the kids will love it. Hang on.” He pulled up to the drive-thru and ordered an egg and cheese sandwich and another coffee. “Do you think we should come for the weekend or not?”
“Why don’t I come out? I can be there Friday and stay through Monday, maybe?”
That would certainly be easier. “Can you do that? That would be great. We could surprise the boys.”
“I don’t see why not. I want to see y’all, and the next time I’ll come and get you, and y’all can stay for a while, maybe?”
“We can definitely talk about that.” The kids for sure. He still had a job, and he’d just taken a week off for the funeral. “I want to see you too. I feel like I’m missing an arm without you around.”
“I hear that. I looked around though, and I don’t have it. Your arm.” Early’s laughter was soft and utterly wicked.
“There’s my dorky cowboy.” He rolled his eyes. “I need two extra ones to deal with these boys, I’m telling you. They’re going to be so excited to see you.” He grabbed his breakfast and got back on the road. “I’m almost to the office, honey. Can we talk more later?”
“You know we can. I love you. Have the best day, yeah?”
“I love you. I can’t wait to see you. Don’t let that horse get your balls.” He grinned.
“No, darlin’. Those are yours, one hundred percent. Just ask around.”
He loved his man more than words. He was looking forward to hearing that darlin’ in person again. “Damn right. You make sure everyone knows it.” So what if he was the jealous type? “I gotta run. Be safe. Love you.”
He hung up first because if he didn’t, they might say goodbye for an hour.
Hell, if he wasn’t careful, he’d be driving the kids to Durango after school this afternoon.
8
Early hadn’t made back to Denver, after all.
Mommama and Daddy had wrecked the fuck out of their car, leaving Daddy with a broken rib, Mommama with one arm in a sling. He’d had the vet out for a Mommama cow with an infected teat, one of the new hands had left along with five hundred dollars’ worth of stuff from Demming’s house and slit all four of his tires to boot.
His head pounded, and he closed his eyes for half a minute. Now Connor was coming with the boys, Connor was exhausted, and Early was going to explode.
It was dark by the time the BMW pulled in, kicking up dust, headlights bouncing as it rolled up the unpaved drive. He’d expected Jayden and Jaxson to be sound asleep in the back after the long trip, but as soon as the car stopped, the doors opened and the boys came tumbling out, voices cutting through the quiet night air.
“Daddy! Daddy!” They ran for the steps while Connor unfolded himself slowly from the front seat.
“Oh, my boys. I’ve missed you so much.” He grabbed them both, his soul drinking them in like they were water on parched soil. “Lord have mercy, I’ve been aching for y’all.”
“We missed you. Dad drove fast.”
“We left school early and everything.”
Connor came up the walk with a big duffel over his shoulder. The car chirped and the headlights flashed as he locked it. “I didn’t drive that fast.”
“I missed you.” He met Connor’s eyes, holding them. “Thank you for coming.”
He’d needed them to come home.
Connor didn’t even blink. “I had to. With everything going on? You need us.”
“Daddy, I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, they need a snack. We didn’t stop for dinner.” Connor saw him, heard him, but was focused on the boys. “A snack and then bed guys, okay?”
“I have stuff for turkey and bacon sandwiches ready, and I have some chocolate chip cookies. I made up y’all’s bedrooms too.” He went to grab some of the bags from the car.