He pushed off the truck, whispering as he brushed past Jack to the passenger door. “Promise?”
“Swear to God, darlin’. I will make sure you don’t forget me.”
As if he could forget Jack. He’d spent years wishing they could spend more time together, be in the same place at the same time for a while, anything. And he was starting to feel like if he played this right, he could tie down the cowboy for good.
Not only that, but he believed Jack would be into it, would be happier with someone who loved him, that wanted something more than a weekend a year.
He just needed to make Jack believe it.
“Don’t worry. You are unforgettable.” He climbed up into the truck and shut the door before Jack could comment on that too.
Although, that grin?
Man, that said a lot.
That smile suited him down to the bone.
Jack didn’t smile a lot. He was smiling as well when they left the parking lot. “Are you taking your time to get to Vegas or heading right through?”
“I’m going from here to Barstow, spending the night there and looking at a new horse; then I’ll head to Las Vegas. So I’ll be there Wednesday.”
“Oh yeah? Are you retiring someone? Princess?” Jack had had Princess longer, but he wasn’t sure which horse was older.
“Maybe? She’s getting a little long in the tooth, and Mackey says she can stay with him, but…” Jack shrugged one shoulder with a frown. “I don’t know.”
He understood. For Jack, leaving Princess with Mackey was leaving a friend behind. He’d miss her. He kind of thought Jack missed horses more than people. “She’d be happy there, right? It’s a nice spot from what I hear.” And there was a rumor that Mackey might retire soon.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re probably right. It is a sweet little spot in the mountains, but?—”
“But… you keep saying but. What’s wrong?” He could guess, but he wanted to see if Jack would say it.
“I mean… she’s my best girl. What if she thinks I deserted her?”
He kept his smile to himself. He wasn’t happy that Jack was worried; he was proud of Jack for admitting it. “She’ll have lots to explore to keep her busy. You’ll have to visit, that’s all.”
“Yeah. I guess so. Maybe I’ll just get a better trailer and keep her with me.” Jack sounded… worried.
“You do what you need to do.” He wasn’t sure that was a good life for a retired horse, riding around in a trailer, but if Jack was going to be distracted without her… he’d figure it out.
When they got there, the hotel lobby was busy with cowboys checking in, and Jack shook a few hands on their way to the elevator. “Mackey first?”
“Mackey first. Sid said he was grumpy as hell, but that’s a thing.”
He could only imagine. Concussions sucked. But that meant they wouldn’t stay long. “I’m sure he is.”
Jack pushed the elevator button, leaned back against the wall, and closed his eyes. “I was glad you were here.”
“I bet you say that to all your regulars.” He took Jack’s hand and gave it a squeeze because he knew that wasn’t true. He didn’t think Jack had other regulars for one thing. And even if Jack didn’t say it, he implied things like that with a touch or a cup of coffee just how Hudson liked it.
Something was up. Jack didn’t seem to be himself with Mackey out of the game.
“If you think that, darlin’, you ain’t been paying attention.” Jack rolled himself up off the wall as the bell dinged. “Let’s go enter the lion’s den.”
“Right with you.” He let go of Jack’s hand reluctantly and followed him off the elevator.
* * *
No more thinking.