“Ditto,” he whispered as Jaxson dragged him off toward the barn.
10
One of the best parts about having the boys here at the ranch was that they ate their supper like they were starving, Early hosed their butts down, and they crashed in their beds.
Then in the morning, they got up and did it all over again.
The boys rode horses, learned to milk goats, swam in the pool. They played hours of football and tag and then they went to a kids’ day out deal in town in the afternoon where they rafted and hiked and explored, before they came home to swim again.
Momma was sitting on the deck, finishing her glass of wine, while his dad tucked the boys in. “How’s Connor doing?”
“Fine.” He hoped, anyway. It was easier to be here with the boys because Early was working from six in the morning until nine at night. “He’s really busy. Missing the kids, I think.”
Momma gave him a sidelong look. “Really busy wrapping up his work there?”
God, he hoped so. “Yes, ma’am. It’s hard, dealing with everything.”
“What is he dealing with?” Momma sipped her wine. “Do you know?”
“Huh?” Early didn’t follow, but he wasn’t paying attention, either. He had to meet with the BLM guy tomorrow and head to the tax offices in town.
Ian came out with a fancy-assed chocolate cake, saving him, and he blinked. “Dessert, anyone?”
Early hadn’t expected to hire a pastry chef wannabe for housekeeping and yard work, but it was cool as hell.
“My goodness, Ian. Cake for just the grownups?” Momma loved chocolate, though, and he knew she wouldn’t say no. “Maybe just a small piece.”
“This one is a little boozy, so the boys wouldn’t like it.” Ian winked at her. “Have a slice, and I hope you’ll take the rest home with you.”
“We’d love to, thank you.” Momma took her piece, but Early shook his head.
“Oh, Early…you have to try a bite. I made you cardaMomma whipped cream to go with…”
Dammit.
“A little bit, then.” He didn’t need a ton.
“I thought he was more of a handyman?” Momma whispered, leaning over.
“I hired him to help with the yard and all, but he’s been cooking when I don’t have time. I think he needs a boyfriend to take care of.” Someone young and hip and energetic.
“Hm.” He knew that sound. That was Momma loudly not saying what was on her mind.
Ian handed Early his piece, looking fancy with a dollop of cream on top. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you, man. I so appreciate it.” He offered Ian a smile, not sure if he was supposed to ask Ian to join them. “Would you like to sit and have a piece yourself?”
Momma cleared her throat softly.
“Oh, no. I have dishes to do. But thank you, Early, you’re so sweet. You’ll both excuse me?” Ian took the rest of the food back to the kitchen.
Early leaned back and stared up at the stars. He wished Connor was here.
Momma patted his arm. “You miss him, I know. When do you expect him to move down?”
“He wants to pack up the house, deal with the firm, put things on the market…” Early figured the kids might be back in school before that happened. “I’ll fly over to help him finish up, if y’all will watch the boys.”
“Of course we will. We will always help when it comes to those boys, I hope you know that. They’re little lights in our lives.” Momma smiled at him.