Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16)

by Lorelei James

  “Rescuing critters. She found motherless kitties and a nest of baby mice last week. She put them all in the same box in the barn so they wouldn’t be lonely. It’ll be interesting to see if the mice become catnip. Carter wanted to tell her trying to make them one family wasn’t a good idea, but I said to let her be. If anyone could get kittens and mice to coexist it’d be our daughter.”

  “Sounds like the kids are all good. They to the fightin’ stage yet? I remember it drove Carolyn crazy in the summer when the boys were together all time and they’d start fightin’ constantly.”

  “That hasn’t happened. But sometimes I feel our kids aren’t as close as they should be. I hear all these fun stories about Carter’s growing up years and wonder if our kids will have those kinds of memories.”

  “I think the memories always seem better in hindsight. I know some of the stuff they reminisce about wasn’t the great time they make it out to be.”

  “As an only child I don’t have anything to compare it to. So I’m like, go outside and build a tree fort together! Make some memories! They just look at me like I’m crazy and ask if they can play video games.”

  “It’s a different world. Makes me an old timer to say that, but it’s true. And you can’t force your kids to like each other. You hope they do, but there’s gonna be times they can’t stand the sight of one another. If you’re lucky they’ll outgrow it. Sometimes we don’t.”

  Macie’s gaze turned shrewd. “You’re talking about you and Casper.”

  He shrugged. “I won’t lie. None of us particularly liked him, even from the time we were kids.” Carson looked down at his hands. He’d automatically clenched them into fists thinking about his brother. After Charlie had told him and Cal about the physical abuse Casper had inflicted on Dalton as a boy, he’d wished he could dig up that bastard so he could beat the fuck out of him one last time. He’d never hated anyone as much as he hated his brother in that moment. That old rage surfaced, tempting him to go looking for a fight. But he was pretty sure no one would take on a seventy-four-year-old man unless he cased the local retirement center.

  “I’m glad that Casper’s sons have overcome brother-hating issues.” She patted his arm. “I’m really glad that none of your sons feel that way about each other either.”

  “Me too. Luckily Colt’s got a forgiving nature or this’d be a different conversation, ’cause we screwed up with him even after he cleaned up his act.”

  “Carter hated that he wasn’t around for any of that.”

  “I’m glad he wasn’t. It put me, Cord and Colby in the judgmental asshole zone.”

  “But you straightened it out. As much as Carter loves having his own studio close to the house, I know he wishes sometimes we lived here, closer to his family.”

  When Macie looked away quickly, Carson said, “And you feel guilty about that?”

  “Well, yeah. I get to see my dad every day. Dad’s kids with Gemma and our kids are growing up like cousins, but that doesn’t replace the connection we both want them to have with their McKay cousins. Carter had that growing up and he wants that for our kiddos.”

  “You’re visiting here at least every couple of months, and with your crazy schedules I’m happy your family can get here at all,” Carson pointed out.

  “It requires a lot of juggling, but it’s worth it.”

  “How many of my kids visit your family in Canyon River?”

  “Colt and Indy and their brood were the most recent ones. But since they have the fewest kids of Carter’s siblings, it’s easier for them to get away. Jack and Keely used to come more often, but it got harder for them after they had the twins. Colby is helping Dad out with the bull riding school for a week this summer and Channing and the kids usually tag along. That’s always fun. Total chaos with ten kids. Then Ryder, Ella and Jansen don’t wanna be left out, so they’re usually over too.”

  “Good thing you built that big house a few years back.” Carter and Macie’s sprawling ranch-style home was located on a beautiful vista on the outskirts of Gemma and Cash’s ranch and could easily accommodate all of the McKays.

  “It’s a big change from the tiny trailer we lived in after we first got married and had the first two boys.”

  “I remember them days. Only our first two boys remember livin’ in the trailer. Then again, we tend to play musical houses in the McKay family.”

  Macie’s eyes narrowed on the paper sack on the chair beside Carson. “I’ve been so busy yammering I didn’t let you eat your sandwich.”

  “I’d rather talk to you while I have the chance. Eatin’ alone don’t bother me.”

  “Has anyone from the family come to check on you?”

  “Dalton. And now you. I appreciate you stopping by. Tell the artiste—” a private joke between him and Carter, “—I’m glad he backed me.”

  “I will.” She paused again. “Carson, I’m asking you one favor on Carter’s behalf. Maybe it seems strange coming from him, but I promised I’d mention it to you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If Carolyn needs physical therapy during her recovery, please ask Keely to work with her. Not only is Keely really good at her job, it’d go a long way in proving that your reasons for keeping Carolyn isolated were situational and short term.”

  That was something Carson hadn’t considered. He was just trying to get through each hour. It didn’t surprise him that Carter was trying to mend fences. He had so much of his mother in him: a kind heart, a fierce love and a stubborn streak. Sometimes as the youngest son his brothers had called him a mama’s boy, intending it as an insult. But Carson couldn’t think of a better compliment or a better person to aspire to be like than Carolyn McKay. “Not to worry. If Carolyn needs rehab, our daughter is the first one I’ll call.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Although, that girl did torture me after my hip replacement surgery with all her blasted exercises.”

  “How is your hip?”

  “Better,” he lied.

  “Good. Take care of yourself. Know you and Carolyn are in a lot of people’s thoughts and prayers.”

  After she’d gone he tore the paper wrapper off the sandwich. Although he was starving, he savored each bite.

  Contemplations about sibling solidarity and rivalry had him thinking about Casper. How in all the years he thought he knew his brother…he really hadn’t. While he’d never excuse how Casper had treated his sons, Carson knew his brother’s life hadn’t turned out the way he’d expected. But as usual, Carson had borne the brunt of Casper’s bad decisions…

  Half the time Carson didn’t know why his dad summoned him for his help. The man grumped around like an old bear. Today was no exception. Carson had been delegated gate opener. With Cord propped on his hip, he shut the gate and walked over to where his dad unsaddled his horse.

  His father didn’t look up when he said, “Ain’t exactly handy carting a kid around when we’re supposed to be movin’ cattle.”

  “Carolyn was too damn sick to even get outta bed this mornin’. What was I supposed to do? Leave Cord bawlin’ in his crib?”

  “Shouldn’t she be over mornin’ sickness by now?” he demanded. “This is the second time this week you’ve had to drag Cord along.”

  Like Carolyn had purposely spent the morning throwing up because she wanted to inconvenience Jed McKay. “If she ain’t better by tomorrow I’m takin’ her to the doctor.”

  “So you’ll miss a day of work.”

  “Last I knew you had three other sons who could take up the slack for one damn day,” Carson retorted.

  “Cow! Mmmooo,” Cord said, pointing to the cattle slowly making their way to the stock tank.

  “That’s right. A cow says moo. What’s a horse say?”

  “Giddy up!”

  Carson grinned. He loved that Cord had started to talk. “A horse says nei
gh. Think Grandpop will let you feed his horse some oats?”

  “Sure I will,” his dad said. “Get the bucket while I’m finishing this up.”

  “Down,” Cord said.

  “Nope.”

  Cord’s little booted feet kicked. “Daddy. Down.”

  “Do you wanna feed the horse?”

  He nodded.

  “Then you gotta stay close by me. I can’t have you runnin’ around and getting hurt, okay?”

  “’Kay.”

  For all of Jed McKay’s blustering about having the boy underfoot, it amazed Carson that he was so patient with Cord. Showing him things outside. Setting up the wooden blocks and toys inside. Sneaking him ice cream. Jed just came over and plucked Cord from Carson’s arms and headed into the barn.

  Since he’d become a father himself, Carson wondered how much his dad helped his mother when they were babies and toddlers. He couldn’t imagine having two little Cords to keep track of—like his mother had dealt with, with him and Cal. Having two kids in two and a half years would be hard enough.

  He waited by the fence for his dad and son to return, wondering how to broach the subject of a pay increase. Things were tight and he was making the same money now as he had when he and Carolyn first got married.

  They wandered out of the barn, Grandpop in a deep discussion with Cord about something when a Buick tore up the driveway and slammed on the brakes in the middle of the yard.

  Then a tall, gray-haired man climbed out of the driver’s side and angrily stormed toward them.

  The potentially dangerous situation had Carson snatching Cord away from his dad.

  “You!” The man pointed to Jed. “Are you Casper McKay’s father?”

  “Who wants to know?”

  “I do.”

  “And who the hell are you?”

  “Patrick Tellman.” Then he sneered at Carson. “Another one who can’t keep his pants zipped. You’re populating the whole area with McKays, ain’t ya?”

  “You’re about to meet the business end of my shotgun, comin’ on McKay land and insulting me and mine.”

  “Is Casper your son?” he demanded.

  “Yes, he is. What’s he done now?”

  “He knocked up my daughter, that’s what he’s done.”

  Carson glanced at his father, but the man didn’t show a lick of emotion.

  “Who’s your daughter?”

  “Of course you gotta ask that since rumor has it all of your sons are notorious for catting around in three counties.”

  “Stop with the insults and get to the point,” Carson warned.

  “Who is your daughter?” Jed asked again.

  “Joan Tellman.”

  Not a name Carson recognized. Last he knew Casper had been seeing a woman in Spearfish named Donna.

  “So your daughter Joan is pregnant and she claims Casper is the father?”

  “Claims?” Patrick Tellman moved in toe to toe with Jed. “Casper is the father. My Joan is a good girl and swore to me Casper was the only man she’s ever been with. But I can understand why you’d be suspicious since a sweet Christian girl ain’t your sons’ normal type.

  Wrong. Carson thought of his Carolyn—a good Catholic girl to the core. She embodied decency and goodness. He accompanied her to church hoping some of her ways would rub off on him. God knew he could use it.

  “Don’t seem like she’s showing such good Christian values if she’s pregnant outside of wedlock,” Jed said evenly, and Carson knew he was trying to retain his cool. “Has your daughter mentioned this to Casper?”

  “No. That’s why I’m here. Father to father. I’m telling you I expect Casper to marry Joan as soon as possible.”

  Jed McKay didn’t say anything. Then he gave Patrick Tellman a resigned look. “I’ll talk to Casper today and I’ll have him contact Joan tonight.”

  “And if she doesn’t hear from him?”

  “She will. I guarantee it. You have my word.”

  That seemed to satisfy the man. He nodded, spun on his heel and marched back to his car. His exit from the ranch was more subdued than his entrance.

  Carson really wished he’d been long gone when this went down.

  “That dumb fucker,” his dad said and Carson knew he wasn’t referring to Patrick Tellman.

  “No kiddin’. I didn’t know he was seein’ this Joan woman.”

  “Never heard her name before today. But that don’t mean nothin’. Only woman you ever brought home was Carolyn. And you had your share of rumors long before that.” Jed sighed. “I need a goddamned shot of whiskey.”

  Here was his chance to escape. “I’ll leave you to it. Let me know what happens.”

  “I already know what’ll happen—Casper is getting married.” He pointed at Carson. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere. In light of this there’s some ranch business to straighten out.”

  Cord fussed and Carson set him down. “What ranch business?”

  “Something I wanna run by you before I tell Casper and Charlie. The Ingalls place I’m buyin’ has a house. Since you and Cal work so well together, I’m leaving you both here and I’ll be sendin’ Casper down there. Charlie too. Eventually.”

  Carson had a brief flash of anger. That house was way nicer than the trailer he and Carolyn lived in. Now with a baby on the way and a busy two-year-old it’d be an even tighter fit for four. Why hadn’t his father considered giving him the house?

  Because he’s punishing you for moving out after your mother died.

  He knew better than to complain, so he deflected. “When we have this discussion, I don’t want you to let on that I’d heard about these change in plans before they heard it from you.”

  “Why’s that?”

  He watched Cord picking up rocks. “Because they already accuse me of getting special treatment from you.”

  “They meaning Casper.”

  Carson shrugged.

  “Last I checked I’m still makin’ the decisions for the ranch. It ain’t favoritism if I decide it’s what’s best.”

  “So will I be headin’ down there to work those new sections? Will they still be comin’ up here?”

  “We’ll do what needs done.”

  That was his dad’s answer to everything. We’ll do what needs done.

  Meanwhile Casper would skate by with the minimum amount of work and get paid the same amount as Carson did. And now he’d be adding travel to his day.

  Doin’ what needs done, my ass.

  He’d make sure the new sections of land were ready for cattle, but he would not help Casper get his house ready for his bride.

  Just then Casper and Charlie pulled up with Cal following behind them in his truck.

  “Now’s as good a time as any to talk to them.”

  “You plan to pull Casper aside afterward?”

  “Nope. He done what he done. Ain’t no reason to hide it.”

  Fuck. This day just got better and better.

  As soon as Casper, Charlie and Cal were out of their vehicles, their dad said, “Meetin’ in the dining room.”

  Carson felt his brothers’ curious gazes but he focused on Cord. “Come on, son, and leave the rocks. We’re goin’ inside.”

  “Don’t wanna!”

  I know how you feel, kid.

  He held his hand out and Cord took it.

  Once they were seated at the table, their father zeroed in on Casper. “What kind of fool are you? Man named Patrick Tellman paid me a visit today, informing me that you knocked up his daughter, Joan.”

  Casper’s face turned bright red and for a second Carson worried his brother was about to have a stroke. “She’s pregnant?”

  “So it seems. She swears you’re the only man she’s ever been with.”

  “She says she was a virgin, but I don’t see how
that could be. She’s one of those women who’ll do anything in bed. And I mean anything. She had to learn that kinky shit someplace.”

  “How long have you been dating her?”

  “I never dated her,” Casper shot back.

  “Fine. How long have you have been proddin’ her?”

  “I met her five months ago. But I ain’t been with her for over a month and a half.”

  “You just fucked her when you felt like it and walked away?”

  Casper glared. “I wouldn’t be the first man to take what was offered.”

  “You’ll be the last man when it comes to her.”

  “What are you talkin’ about?”

  “You’re doin’ the right thing for once in your life and marryin’ her.” He looked at Cal. “Seems you’re the only one who hasn’t impregnated a woman, so let that be a lesson to you to keep your goddamned pants zipped.”

  Carson shot Charlie a questioning look and Charlie seemed equally confused.

  But Casper interrupted before Charlie could speak. “You can’t make me marry her.”

  “Yes, I can. You will take her as your wife or you’re out.”

  “Out. Out of what? Out of favor?” He aimed his glower at Carson. “Too fuckin’ late for that.”

  “I’ll kick you out of the house. You’re off the ranch and on your own. Since I own your truck, pay your wages and you’ve been livin’ in my house your whole life, you got a lot to lose by thinkin’ you can get around this. I’m done putting up with your laziness and lies. It’s time you own up to your responsibilities, Casper.”

  “So I’m bein’ punished.”

  Yeah, some punishment. By being a fuck up you’re giving him a house and land of his own? Maybe I oughta fuck up.

  “Since you’ll soon have a wife and a child, you’re movin’ down to the Ingalls place. Charlie will eventually live down that way too, but for now he’ll be makin’ the drive every day from here.”

  Charlie stood. “This is bullshit. What’d I do? Nothin’. Now you’re sendin’ me thirty miles away?”

  “Like I told Casper. Your options are to do what you’re expected to or you’re out.”