Kissin' Tell: Rough Riders, Book 13

by Lorelei James

  Tell rested in the grass, letting the sun warm his face. It’d been a cold, snowy and gloomy winter. Seemed the sun hadn’t shone at all, so he basked in the warm glow like a fat barn cat when he had a chance.

  Not long after he hit that perfect relaxation point, a shadow fell across him. He inhaled a slow breath, expecting to open his eyes and see his father looming over him.

  But Georgia Hotchkiss’s beautiful face swam into view.

  He grinned at her. “Well, it’s my lucky week if I’ve seen you twice in as many days, sweetness.”

  “It is you. I wasn’t sure.”

  “What threw you off?”

  Her gaze moved along his body from his Merrell hiking boots up to his face. “Might’ve been that ball cap you’re wearing instead of a cowboy hat.”

  Just then Landon skidded to a stop, spraying Tell’s legs with sand. “Watch me!” The boy jumped over Tell and sped around the perimeter of the sandpit, making racecar noises.

  “Pity the kid doesn’t have any energy to burn off,” Tell said dryly.

  “How old is he?” Georgia asked.

  “Four.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Landon.”

  “Great name. Your son looks a lot like you.”

  Tell pushed to his feet. “Whoa. That’s not my kid. That’s my brother Luke’s kid.”

  “Oh. Sorry. I just assumed…” She cleared her throat. “So are you babysitting for Luke or something?”

  “Or something.”

  Georgia gave him a strange look. “Sounds cryptic.”

  “You probably haven’t heard the story since you’ve been gone. Luke died a few years ago. Before he died, he’d stepped out on his wife and knocked up this chick he met in a bar. She didn’t come forward until Landon was sixteen months old. So, as weird as it is, we’ve got an informal custody agreement with Landon’s mom, Samantha.”

  Horror widened Georgia’s eyes. “Oh my God, Tell. I had no idea that Luke had died… I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks.” He kicked a clump of sand. “I’m sorry about RJ. Losing a brother sucks ass.”

  “Yes, it does. I would’ve loved to have a surprise nephew or niece show up in my life.” She scowled. “But that’s an impossibility since my dead brother’s girlfriend is now married to my ex-husband.”

  Tell laughed. “That situation is familiar. My brother Brandt married Luke’s widow, Jessie.”

  Georgia smiled and Tell’s heart skipped a beat. Goddamn. She still had that goofy smile. He was happy to see she hadn’t perfected a fake, polite grin over the years. “What are you doin’ at the park?”

  “I’m out for a walk, enjoying this beautiful day.” She tipped her head toward Landon. “Do you have him all weekend?”

  “Me’n Dalton have had him the last two days. My mom lives in Casper now and helps Samantha with Landon’s daycare and stuff.”

  “So your mom and dad…?”

  “Got divorced.” Tell tore his gaze away from her and looked for Landon. Sneaky kid was nowhere to be found. He said, “Gimme a sec,” and jogged to the monkey bars.

  Landon wasn’t crawling around the jungle gym or sitting on the swings. Tell spun a slow circle and squinted at the flash of red by the picnic tables.

  There the little bugger was. Tell froze when he saw his father sitting next to Landon on a picnic bench. He’d had to bribe Landon with ice cream to get the boy’s attention.

  Tell meandered over, feeling his skin tighten and toughen up. “Dad.”

  “You ain’t keepin’ a very good eye on my grandson, Tell. Anyone coulda snatched him up while you was yammering to that girl. You always did have the attention span of a dog with fleas. Praise the Lord I was here.”

  Landon jumped off the seat and wrapped his arm around Tell’s leg. “Whoa there, buddy. Sit down. I’m right here. Didja tell Grandpa thanks for the ice cream?”

  “Thanks.” Landon ducked his dark-haired head.

  “It’s a shame the kid don’t know who I am.”

  And whose fault is that?

  “Your mother is probably poisoning him against me,” Casper said with a sneer.

  Tell wouldn’t let that comment slide. “I reckon with you’re doin’ that just fine yourself. If you want him to know you, you’ve gotta spend time with him. Which you haven’t done, even when we’ve given you opportunities.”

  “Doin’ the Lord’s work keeps me busy.”

  And of course that was more important. Anything was more important than mending the rift with his family.

  “I see your mother’s got you jumping through hoops now too.” He pointed at Landon. “How often does she ask you to watch the boy?”

  Way too often, but Tell wasn’t about to give his father that ammo. “Me’n Landon are pals, right, bud?”

  Landon nodded.

  “Where’s my youngest son? Ain’t you two joined at the hip?”

  “Dalton helped with chores and then he took off.”

  “I ain’t surprised Brandt didn’t show up.” Casper shook his finger. “Remind him he’d better call me when that baby arrives. I’ve already talked to my pastor about baptizing the child.”

  “You’ll have to take that up with Brandt and Jessie, Dad. Leave me out of it.”

  “At least that’s one thing your mother and I did right. Havin’ all you boys baptized. Even if we didn’t follow through and raise you up proper in the church.”

  Becoming a sober, born-again Christian hadn’t made Casper McKay any nicer. It’d just given him faith that he’d be forgiven by God for whatever mean thing that spewed out of his mouth.

  Tell studied his father, knowing he hated it. Casper had been sober for a year and a half. He’d lost all the puffy, pasty skin and bloated body shape that had been the result of years of alcohol abuse. He’d let his hair grow instead of keeping it short, strands of silver prevalent against the black. His eyes, identical to the ones staring back at Tell in the mirror every day, were clear, yet still filled with the disapproval Tell had felt his entire life.

  Landon shouted, “Gram!” He raced across the park, throwing himself into Joan McKay’s arms.

  Tell couldn’t help but smile. Landon loved his grandma, and his mother loved having a living reminder of the son she’d lost.

  As she walked over, holding Landon’s hand, Tell had to remind himself this relaxed, laughing woman was his mother. Not only did she look happier after leaving her husband, she owned an air of confidence—too much, maybe, to make up for the years she’d had none.

  Tell whispered, “Lookin’ good, Mama,” and kissed her cheek. Then he offered his hand to her companion. “Bart. Nice to see you again.”

  “You too, Tell.”

  She looked at her ex-husband. “Casper.”

  “Joan.” Casper gave Bart a full inspection, but didn’t offer his hand.

  “So everything went okay? No problems?” she asked.

  “We had a great time like we always do, huh, Landon?” Tell said, ruffling the kid’s hair.

  “Yep. I got to ride on the four-wheeler three times! And Uncle Dalton buyed me a new toy, a backhoe, and we dug a big hole and he let me fill it with water!”

  She laughed. “And I’ll bet your uncle had to hose you down outside afterward.”

  “We had a water fight.”

  “Boys will be boys.”

  Casper snorted. “Dalton is long past bein’ a boy. He needs to grow up and start actin’ like a man.”

  Joan stiffened. “And just where was Dalton supposed to learn how to be a man? Because you’re definitely not the example he oughta be following, Casper.”

  Shit. This was not good. He hated how they verbally assaulted one another and that his brothers were never around to witness it or help him break it up.

  Bart said, “Tell, how about if you give me your keys and me’n Landon will get his stuff.”

  Tell tossed them over. Bart and Landon took off.

  He didn’t blame them. Maybe he should’ve gon
e along.

  “You’re getting mouthy in your old age, Joan,” Casper said.

  “And you’re still an asshole in yours, Casper.”

  “Does that young fella sharin’ your bed like your dirty mouth?” His eyes gleamed. “I remember when you used to—”

  “Goddammit, Dad, that’s enough.”

  Casper whirled on him. “Don’t you be takin’ the Lord’s name in vain. God wouldn’t smite me down for popping you one in the mouth for your blasphemy.”

  “Oh, give it a rest,” Joan snapped. “We get that you’ve switched your allegiance from Jameson to Jesus. And don’t forget—”

  “That goes for you too, Mom. Stop it. Both of you.”

  “Fine. I need to get going anyway since we’re meeting Brandt and Jessie for supper.” Of course she had to get in another shot. She hugged him. “Thanks for everything, son. I’ll call you.”

  She didn’t even look his direction before she walked off.

  “That woman needs—”

  “I’m warning you to shut it,” Tell said.

  Casper muttered something about him still being a mama’s boy.

  “Look. I’ll see you. I got things to do.” That’s when Tell realized his family drama caused him to forget about Georgia entirely. He looked over at the last place she’d been, but she was gone.

  “Like what?” his father said to his retreating back.

  Like walking into the closest bar.

  He needed a goddamn drink.

  Chapter Three

  Tell ordered a beer and a burger. He’d finished half and most his fries when his buddy Thurman Watson showed up. Not only had he and Thurman been friends since fifth grade, these days they were the last bachelors in their group of friends.

  “Since you called me… You buying my supper, McKay?”

  “I guess.”

  The waitress brought Thurman a Coors and took his order to the kitchen. “Will you call me a pussy if I admit I ain’t in the partyin’ mood tonight?”

  “Nope.” Tell swirled a fry through a puddle of ranch dressing and popped it in his mouth. “How long you in town?” Thurman spent three weeks out of every month on the road as a long-haul trucker.

  “Until tomorrow. I oughta have next week off, but I picked up an extra load going to Seattle. Then I hit Salt Lake and Denver before I get back.”

  For the next hour they bullshitted about family crap and work, drank and played pool. A few of their buddies showed up. They eyed the ladies trolling in the bar; most seemed barely legal. Tell was talking to Thurman’s older brother, Warner, when Thurman stepped in front of him.

  “You’ll never guess who just walked in.”

  “You buyin’ me a beer if I guess right?”

  “Sure. ’Cause you ain’t never gonna get this one.”

  Tell smirked. “Is it…Georgia Hotchkiss?”

  Thurman’s jaw dropped. “How the hell did you know that?”

  “I’ve run into her twice, actually.”

  “And somehow you just forgot to mention that to me?”

  “You said you weren’t interested in partyin’ or gossiping like an old woman tonight.”

  “Fuck off. This ain’t gossip. This is news, my friend.”

  Tell rolled his eyes.

  “I’m serious, McKay.” Thurman looked around before he lowered his voice. “You had it bad for her.”

  “So did half the damn school. Which is why Deck gave her a purity ring until he could swap it out for a wedding band.”

  Before his friend could rib him any more, their buddy Ned showed up with his wife, Roxanne. Then Warner’s wife, Leah, joined them. The group had grown to six, so they claimed a circular booth in the back corner.

  After ordering a couple pitchers, talk turned to the weather, sports and kids. Warner still team roped on occasion and he and Tell talked about upcoming rodeos.

  During a lull, Roxanne said to Tell, “I take it Jessie hasn’t popped yet?”

  “She’s got three weeks left. If Brandt could hurry that baby up, he would.”

  “Then he’ll wanna shove it right back in there after it’s been cryin’ for two days straight and it won’t stop,” Warner said.

  Leah bumped him with her shoulder. “Says the big, tough daddy. Now all Desiree has to do is pout and Daddy gives her whatever she wants.”

  A skinny bleached blonde butted in and perched on the edge of the booth, right next to Tell. “If it isn’t my favorite cowboy.”

  “Mira. How’s it goin’?”

  “Better now that you’re here.”

  “And why’s that?” God, he hoped she didn’t ask him for money.

  She leaned close enough to put her mouth on his ear. “Because I am so horny. Come outside and do me in your pickup. Do me anywhere.” Then she blew her boozy breath in his ear and licked it. “Please.”

  The drunk woman used so much tongue Tell was surprised saliva wasn’t dripping off his earlobe. Now he wished she had just hit him up for cash. He scooted closer to Thurman. “Sorry to disappoint you, darlin’, but I’m just getting over a nasty bout of the flu.”

  “It don’t bother me. Come on.”

  Tell had a hard time remembering why he’d ever found her attractive. He uncurled her fingers from his bicep. “I’m on heavy-duty meds and they have an…unfortunate side effect.” He sipped his beer, waiting for the meaning to sink in.

  Her painted lips formed an “O” of surprise. “You can’t get it up.” She popped to her feet. “Huh. Too bad. See you around.” And she took off.

  Ten seconds later the entire table burst into laughter.

  “Man. Does that happen to you a lot?” Ned asked.

  Tell nodded yes and said, “No.”

  More laughter.

  “You ain’t worried about her spreading rumors you can’t get it up?” Thurman asked.

  “Nope. There are plenty of women around who will dispute that statement.”

  “You’re such a dog, McKay,” Warner said. “How many chicks do you have on a string right now?”

  “What day is it?”

  Laughter ended abruptly and everyone looked at the end of the table.

  “Hey, Tell. I just wanted to come over and say hello.”

  Tell felt that same whomp in the gut he had at age seventeen whenever their eyes met. “Georgia. Good to see you again.” He stopped being mesmerized by her beauty long enough to say, “I’m sure you know most these folks we went to school with. Thurman. Ned. Roxanne—”

  “I’m Ned’s wife now,” Roxanne said sharply. “And I doubt you would’ve remembered my name if Tell hadn’t reminded you.”

  Wow. That was bitchy.

  Leah folded her arms over her cleavage. “Yeah, I’ll bet you don’t know who I am either.”

  All eyes were on Georgia. But rather than lifting her chin and leveling them with a haughty stare, she took a step back. “Our class wasn’t that big, Leah. Of course I remember you.” She gave Tell a wan smile. “Sorry to interrupt. Have a good night.” She walked off.

  “Jesus, Roxanne, way to be a bitch to her,” Ned said.

  “Serves her right for all the times she was so stuck-up to me,” Roxanne shot back. “Did she expect we’d give her a group hug?”

  “She has put on a few pounds,” Leah said with a cruel smile. “No way would she fit into that itty-bitty cheerleading skirt now.”

  Tell frowned. He’d never seen this side of his friends’ wives and he really didn’t like it.

  “Sally Hermanson, who’s running everything for the reunion? Said when she called Georgia last year to ask if she’d be interested in helping organize it? Georgia said no and she doubted she’d be attending the reunion anyway.” Roxanne shrugged. “I sure as hell wouldn’t show up if I was her.”

  “No kidding. Divorced from the guy you married right out of high school. I heard she lives with her mom in some hippie commune in Boulder.”

  “I’ve heard her dad doesn’t have anything to do with her.”

&n
bsp; “Maybe that’s why Deck kicked her out,” Leah added.

  “Or else she was too good to be married to a guy who became a pig farmer.”

  Both women snorted.

  Tell slammed his beer glass on the table. “Jesus. Really? You guys haven’t seen Georgia or talked to her in ten years and you automatically assume she’s exactly the same person she was back then? Why? None of us are the same. Thank God we’ve changed, but you can be damn sure I ain’t gonna stoop to your level and point them changes out, because they ain’t all good.” He stood, tossed a twenty on the table and went to find her.

  Georgia had taken a booth in the center of the room. Some guy appeared to be harassing her. Tell tapped him on the shoulder and recognized him as Dalton’s former classmate. “Monte. Been a long time. You waiting for the band to start?” He maneuvered him aside so he could slide into the booth opposite Georgia.

  “Nah. I’m just looking for someone to take to my buddy Brad’s party.”

  “Do you know Mira? Skinny blonde? She mentioned wanting to get wild tonight. Track her down. She’d be game.”

  Monte said, “Thanks for the tip, McKay,” and loped off.

  “I’m assuming you don’t mind that I interrupted?” Tell asked, suppressing a grin. “Or were you interested in accompanying Monte to a kegger?”

  She laughed. “No.”

  Her low-pitched, sexy laugh hadn’t changed either. “So will you let me buy you a drink?”

  Her face shuttered. “If it won’t ruin your reputation being seen in public with me.”

  “I remember when you wouldn’t be seen with me. So, it’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  A waitress took their drink order.

  “So, I overheard part of the conversation with your friends.”

  “Which part?” Hopefully not Mira’s last comment.

  “The part about you having a bunch of women on the hook.” Georgia cocked her head. “Embraced your McKay wild-man heritage after we graduated, did you?”

  “With both hands. I had plenty of wild oats to sow and I’ve enjoyed the hell out of plowing up every single row.” He adjusted his hat. “Sorry Leah and Roxanne went off on you.”

  Those pale-blue eyes searched his. “Not your fault. It’s not the first time I’ve faced that kind of hostility since I returned to Sundance.”