Dexter: Honorable Cowboy

by Marin Thomas

  “Mr. D put a saddle on Zeus!” Matt shouted across the ranch yard.

  Josie joined her two favorite cowboys by the corral.

  “Mr. D’s gonna ride Zeus, right Mr. D?”

  “Eventually,” Dexter said. “I’m impressed.”

  A million questions swirled in Dexter’s blue eyes.

  “How did you manage to get the saddle on him?” she asked.

  “Mr. D found out Zeus likes peppermints,” Matt answered for Dexter. “Really?”

  Dexter smiled—not a full grin but a tiny curve of the lips. “Zeus ripped my shirt pocket trying to get at my Altoids tin.”

  “I’m gonna go tell Grandpa Zeus likes candy.” Matt raced off, leaving Josie and Dexter alone.

  He cleared his throat. “How’d they take the news?”

  No need to ask who they were. “As well as any grandparents who just found out they had a grandchild.”

  “Why didn’t Dusty stay and meet Matt?”

  “He’s not ready.” The muscle along Dexter’s jaw bunched, and Josie came to Dusty’s defense. “Don’t be too hard on your brother. He’s still in shock over the whole fatherhood thing.”

  Dexter walked off, leaving Josie the choice to follow or not. She trailed him inside the barn, where he stopped to fill a bucket with grain.

  A warm tingling sensation raced across her skin at the memory of her and Dexter in another barn…. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as intimate images filled her mind. “You okay?”

  “I don’t know.” Josie opened her eyes to find Dexter standing a foot away. “We need to talk about what happened.”

  “Yesterday was a mistake, Josie.”

  His cold words pierced her heart like a pitchfork. “So that’s it? Almost making love to me meant nothing to you?”

  “No!” His chest heaved, giving Josie hope that their intimate encounter had affected him as deeply as it had her. “We’re in an impossible situation.” Each word sounded as if it had been pulled straight from the bottom of his gut.

  “I wouldn’t say impossible.”

  “Matt is Dusty’s son, not mine.”

  “What difference does that make for us?”

  “It makes a hell of a difference. Dusty has a right to come first in Matt’s life.”

  “No one’s denying Dusty the opportunity to be a father.”

  “Matt deserves a real family and you and Dusty deserve a chance to have a meaningful relationship.”

  Panic gripped Josie’s stomach and twisted painfully. “What are you saying?”

  “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I think you should marry Dusty.”

  “You want me to marry your brother after we…after we almost…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, because the idea was ludicrous. She wasn’t sure what hurt more—that Dexter was so damned honorable or that he didn’t love her enough to fight for her.

  “I don’t love your brother.” She held up a hand. “And don’t tell me I might learn to love Dusty eventually.” How could she, when her heart was so full of Dexter?

  “Josie.” He stubbed his toe against the drain cover on the cement floor.

  “Dex.” She cursed the catch in her voice.

  His eyes glistened with pain.

  Don’t. Don’t say it, Dex. Please, don’t say it.

  “It’s best we put our feelings for each other aside and move on.”

  The breath whooshed from her lungs in a giant gust of wind, leaving her dazed.

  “I’m taking Zeus with me when I leave today. Now that Dusty’s back he can help your father around the ranch.”

  If Dexter wasn’t going to fight for her…them…then relocating to Wyoming was out of the question.

  Fighting back tears, she held her head high as she walked out of the barn. Had she known her decision to keep Matt a secret would lead to such heartbreak she’d have come forward as soon as she’d found out she was pregnant—the feud between J.W. and her father be damned.

  What’s done is done.

  The only path left to take was the one in front of her.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Zeus suits him. Think I’ll keep the name.” Bud Masterson stood next to Dexter outside the round pen. “The rumors about you were dead-on, Cody.”

  “Rumors?” Dexter had been in a foul mood since Dusty had returned from Canada. As soon as Masterson left with the mustang, Dexter planned to find a dark hole to crawl into and lick his wounds. He couldn’t believe he’d lied to Josie—insisting that almost making love had been a mistake. The truth was the bull ride with her had been the best and the worst thing he’d ever done.

  “Folks claim you never break a horse’s spirit,” Masterson droned on.

  Dexter might be good with horses but he sucked with women. He’d broken Josie’s spirit yesterday even though he’d had her and Matt’s best interests in mind. No wonder his heart felt as though it had been hacked to pieces by a meat cleaver.

  Shoving his misery aside, Dexter focused on the mustang. “Every time you put a saddle on Zeus, take him for a long run.”

  “I’ll make sure he gets plenty of exercise.”

  “Let Zeus choose the direction and don’t pull back on the reins for the first two or three miles. He needs to believe he’s in control. Once he tires, he’ll cooperate and be less eager to escape.”

  “I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Zeus believes he’s calling the shots.”

  “Hey, Dex.” Ricky stepped outside the barn. “J.W. wants you up at the office. Pronto.”

  Masterson handed Dexter a check. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

  Dexter clicked his tongue and the mustang lifted his head and stared. You’re as free as you’ll ever be, Zeus. Make the best of the second chance you’ve been given.

  “Ricky will help you load him.” Dexter signaled to the ranch hand, then walked to the office. Doris flashed a smile when he entered the building.

  “Go right in, Dexter. Your father’s waiting for you.”

  “Shut the door,” J.W. commanded as soon as Dexter waltzed into the room.

  Closed doors in the Cody family meant one thing—an argument hovered on the horizon. “What’s up?”

  “This isn’t public knowledge yet, so keep what I’m about to tell you under your hat.” He cleared his throat. “Your brother Dusty is a father.”

  “I know. The resemblance between Dusty and Matt is difficult to miss.”

  “You know about my grandson?” J.W.’s voice thundered through the room.

  “I ran into Josie and Matt at the Sweetwater County Fair in Lander at the beginning of the month. Josie and Dusty asked me to keep their secret until Dusty returned from his movie shoot in Canada.”

  “Since when do the Codys keep secrets from each other?” Clearly J.W. didn’t appreciate being in the dark.

  Hoping to move the conversation along, Dexter said, “Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

  “No. I need your help. Actually your brother needs your help.”

  “Which brother?”

  “Don’t be a smart-ass. Dusty claims Josie Charles refuses to marry him and do what’s right by my grandson.”

  Relief zapped the strength from Dexter’s legs, and he sank into the chair in front of the desk. He’d prayed to God, asking Him to do what was best for Matt, Josie and Dusty, which Dexter believed meant Josie and Dusty had to give marriage a try. Then he’d prayed to the Devil, asking the horned villain to make Josie stand firm and refuse to marry Dusty, because deep down Dexter believed she belonged to him.

  Evidently the Devil had won the first round. “Josie’s an adult. She can choose to marry who she wants.”

  “She lost that right when she gave birth to a Cody.”

  Dexter hadn’t seen his father this upset since he’d overheard his parents arguing months ago about that old rumor that had resurfaced, claiming J.W. had had an affair shortly after he’d married Dexter’s mother and the affair had resulted in a child being born. Dexter figured the l
oose tongue had belonged to someone who’d held a grudge against the Codys—and there were plenty of folks who envied the powerful Wyoming family.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, Dad, but you’re sticking your nose into something that’s none of your business.”

  “I have a grandson who deserves to bear the Cody name. Come hell or high water that child is going to claim his rightful place in this family.”

  If Dexter had any doubts about his father’s loyalty toward his mother he could put them to rest. J.W.’s insistence that Matt bear the Cody name confirmed that his father would never have permitted one of his own offspring—even an illegitimate one—to go unacknowledged. Family meant everything to J.W.

  “How am I supposed to help Josie and Dusty?” Dexter asked.

  “Your job is to hound Dusty until he convinces Josie to marry him.”

  What the hell? Frustrated, Dexter lashed out. “I’m surprised you’d even want Josie to be part of the family.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You hate Hank Charles’s guts.”

  “Hate’s an awful strong word.” He cleared his throat. “We have our reasons for distrusting one another.”

  “How come you won’t admit there’s more than rodeo buckles standing between you and Hank?”

  “It’s none of your business, son.”

  Hating that his father refused to be truthful with him, Dexter stood. “And what happens between Dusty and Josie is none of my business, either.”

  “You’re the only one who’s ever been able to talk sense into Dusty.”

  Not true. Dusty had a mind of his own. If he didn’t want to listen to reason—he didn’t. Running off to Canada when he should have stayed and worked things out with Josie had been evidence of that.

  “I’m not asking you, Dexter. I’m telling you—help Dusty find a way to persuade Josie to marry him.” J.W. shook his head. “Would have been easier on the family if you’d gotten Josie pregnant. You’re the responsible one. You’d do the right thing in a heartbeat and wouldn’t second-guess your decision.”

  Second-guess your decision…

  The words haunted Dexter. Having to step aside so Dusty could claim Josie for his own—a second time—made him physically ill. Feeling the walls close in on him, he sprang from the chair. “I’ll see what I can do.” He stormed out of the office, ignoring Doris’s smile.

  By the time Dexter arrived at the practice ring he was good and ready to pick a fight with his twin. He entered the ring and walked straight up to Dusty, who was grooming his horse, Uno. “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Right here waiting for your sorry butt.” Dusty flashed his trademark grin.

  That did it. Dexter had had enough of his brother’s cocky attitude. He hauled off and punched Dusty in the jaw. His brother stumbled backward, tripping over his feet. Spooked, Uno trotted to the other side of the enclosure.

  “God damn it, Dex.” Dusty rubbed his jaw. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “You want to know why I’m pissed?” Dexter loomed over his brother’s sprawled body. “Because Dad’s given me the chore of talking sense into you and Josie.”

  “What?” Dusty crawled to his knees.

  Dexter placed a boot in the middle of his brother’s chest and shoved him backward. “I’m tired of your bullshit.” Dexter ignored the crowd of ranch hands gathering to watch the spectacle. “Stand up,” he commanded.

  “Why? So you can hit me again?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jeez, Dex, give me a break.” Dusty dabbed at a drop of blood that oozed from his cracked lip.

  A feeling of helplessness fueled Dexter’s anger, and he grabbed his brother by the shirt collar and hauled him to his feet. Before he had a chance to wind up and punch him again, Dusty kicked Dexter’s feet out from under him and he fell forward, taking Dusty down with him. Grunts and groans ensued as they scuffled in the dirt. Dexter ended up on top. “When are you gonna grow up?”

  “You’re the one who’s acting like a sissy.” Dusty landed a punch to Dexter’s breadbasket, knocking the wind from him.

  “I’m tired…of cleaning up…your…messes,” Dexter wheezed. Dusty pushed Dexter onto his back and straddled his brother. He opened his mouth to speak, but Dexter bucked him right over his head. Dusty sprawled face-first on the ground.

  The ranch hands shouted bets on which twin would win. Dusty was a better fighter and had won most of the scuffles they’d gotten into when they’d been younger. But right now Dexter was fired up enough to have the edge.

  Dexter struggled to his knees first, then his feet, but before he took a step, Dusty grabbed his boot heel and Dexter hit the ground again.

  “Mind tellin’ me what the hell we’re fighting about?” Dusty said.

  “Josie, you damned fool. Who else do you think this is about?” Dexter took a swing, but his punch landed on Dusty’s shoulder instead of his face.

  “What about Josie?” Dusty crawled on his hands and knees but didn’t get far before Dexter gripped the belt loop on his jeans and tugged hard. The material ripped.

  “Hey! Watch the clothes!”

  Chest heaving, Dexter said, “Do you know how lucky you are to have a son as great as Matt?” A hush fell over the ranch hands. Dexter didn’t care if the whole frickin’ world knew Dusty had fathered a child out of wedlock. “And you’ll find no better woman than Josie for a wife.”

  Hanging on to each other for balance, the brothers struggled to their feet. “You know what I think?” Dusty spat at the ground. “You’re in love with Josie and you wish Matt was your kid.”

  The accusation pierced Dexter’s heart, and he punched his finger into Dusty’s chest. “What would you know about love?” Another shove. “You go through women faster than a six-pack of beer.”

  “You’ve had a crush on Josie since high school. You’re just miffed she chose me.”

  “Some choice. You won’t even stand up for what’s right.”

  “The hell you say!” Dusty locked arms with Dexter, and the brothers crashed to the dirt. They rolled from side to side, kicking up a cloud of dust.

  “If you’re so concerned about Josie why don’t you marry her?” Dusty landed another punch and stars danced before Dexter’s eyes.

  “You’re Matt’s father and that boy deserves a real family.” Dexter pushed away from Dusty. “For once in your life take responsibility for your actions.”

  “I wish to hell everyone would quit telling me that.”

  Dexter sat up. “Maybe if you put others before yourself—”

  Dusty socked Dexter in the arm.

  Dexter winced. “Watch the roping arm, you ass.”

  “Sorry. You okay?” When Dexter didn’t answer, Dusty turned his shoulder toward Dexter. “Here. Punch me back.”

  Dexter punched Dusty’s arm, but not hard. They wouldn’t have a chance in hell of winning Saturday if Dusty’s arm was too bruised to throw a rope.

  They sat in the dirt for several seconds, both gasping for breath. Then Dusty confessed, “I’m frickin’ scared, Dex. Okay? There, I said it. I’m scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “I want to be Matt’s father but I don’t know how. What if I screw up? What if the kid hates my guts? Huh? What then?”

  Sympathy for his twin cooled Dexter’s anger. Dusty was a winner—he’d always been a winner. The thought of losing scared the bejesus out of him. Dexter wished like hell he could take Dusty’s place, but their father would accept nothing less than Dusty marrying Josie. “You have to try, Dusty. You can’t quit on Matt or Josie.”

  “What about you?” Dusty said.

  “What about me?”

  “You have feelings for Josie.”

  Dexter opened his mouth, then snapped it closed. What was the use? Anything he said would be a lie. “Never mind me,” Dexter grumbled. “But I swear to you on Grandpa’s grave if you mistreat Josie or make her regret marrying you I’ll—”

  Dusty elbowed D
exter in the gut. “You’ll what? Beat me?”

  “What the hell’s going on!” Big brother Jesse entered the practice ring and strode toward the twins.

  “Get lost, Jesse.” Dusty climbed to his feet, then offered Dexter a hand.

  “This is between me and Dusty.” Dexter stared defiantly at their older brother.

  “You made it my business when you attracted all this attention.” Jesse swept his arm out in front of him. “Instead of working, the ranch hands are watching you two dummies make fools of yourselves.” Jesse whipped his white hat off and pointed it at his brothers. “Keep it up and Dad’ll come out here and tear into your asses.”

  Too exhausted to argue, Dexter looked at Dusty and they read each other’s minds. A moment later they both hauled off and socked Jesse in the gut. Their big brother’s favorite cowboy hat fell to the ground, and he clutched his stomach. Bug-eyed, Jesse opened and closed his mouth, but no sound escaped.

  “That’s for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” Dusty said.

  “Hey, who won?” Ricky shouted as Dexter and Dusty staggered together out of the practice ring.

  “Dusty!” Paco shouted.

  “No way! Dexter got the last punch in,” Slim countered.

  The cheering stopped when Dexter and Dusty stumbled into their father.

  “What’s going on?” J.W. boomed.

  “Dexter and I had a little disagreement,” Dusty said.

  J.W. motioned to their torn clothes and bloodied lips, then directed his words to Dexter. “This is how you planned to coax your brother into convincing Josie Charles to marry him—by beating him up?”

  Dusty scowled at Dexter. “Back to being Dad’s little do-gooder.”

  Dexter cocked his arm but his father intercepted the punch with his hand. “How do you expect to win on Saturday if neither of you can throw a rope?”

  Good ol’ Dad. Rodeo always came first.

  Dusty shuffled off to his apartment above the barn, and Dexter returned to the house. He had a phone call to make—one he’d rather not.