Besides, he enjoyed seeing Ryder so happy.
“I take your mother is a lot of company?” He smiled at them and sipped his coffee.
“Mom is a lot of…woman. She’s dear and brave, but she’s raised two sets of twin cowboys.” Ryder winked at him. “She’s bulletproof.”
“Ah. Delaying a visit seems to be the prudent choice, then.” He chuckled and licked coffee off his lip.
“Yeah, Mom can be intense, and with new relationship energy?” Roper shook his head, so dramatic. “Nope.”
New relationship energy.He liked that. He was enjoying the energy so far, and he could see not wanting to share that with Mom.
“I’m looking forward to watching you ride again tonight, Roper.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Hopefully I stick for the eight.” Roper winked at him.
“I have every confidence.” He gave Roper a nod and forked up a big bite of eggs. They were very edible for a hotel restaurant.
“I like him. I like him a lot. You can hang with him.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Thanks. I live for your permission.”
He chuckled and kept eating, but quietly he was pleased to be on Roper’s good side. “What are your plans today? I think Ryder was hoping to spend some time with you.”
“I’ve got nothing all day. I have to sign autographs at six, just like always.”
He nodded, mouth full of another bite of maple syrup heaven. After he’d swallowed, he looked at Ryder. “I won’t be the least bit insulted if you’d like some family time.”
“I thought we could all do something, even if it’s just gambling or bowling or something.”
“Oh, do you bowl, Charles?” Roper’s eyes lit up.
“Not in quite some time, but I have, yes.” He was terrible at it, but he recalled having fun. “Is this something the two of you do well?”
Ryder chuckled softly. “No one said we did it well…”
He glanced up and grinned at Ryder. “Then I think we’ll have a fair competition.”
“We really just like throwing the ball and laughing. The place here? Does glow in the dark bowling.” Roper grinned. “Let’s do that.”
“Glow in the dark?” That sounded dangerous, but the entire point of this adventure was to do new things. “I’m interested.”
“See, I knew I liked him. Seriously.” Roper winked at Ryder. “This is really a good omelet, believe it or not.”
“I have no complaints about my pancakes.” He had just taken the last bite. “And the coffee is drinkable.”
“Isn’t all coffee drinkable?” Roper asked, and Ryder shook his head.
“Not yours, man. You make terrible coffee.”
He raised an eyebrow at Roper. “The coffee Ryder makes me at home is delicious. Do you make it differently?”
“We must,” Ryder said. “Because Roper’s sucks.”
He snorted. “Noted. House rule number one. Roper is welcome in our home, but he is not to touch the coffee maker.”
“Exactly. It would never be the same. Ever.” Ryder caught the napkin Roper threw at him.
“Boys, we’re in polite company,” he teased. “Behave yourselves.”