Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16)

by Lorelei James

  “My brothers reminded us of that when we were lookin’ for babysitters.”

  “You’ll never catch me complaining about my kids. Me’n Lib waited a long damn time for those blessings. For a while there…I wasn’t sure we’d make it, especially not after I realized she was serious about kickin’ my ass out.” Quinn adjusted his hat. “Sorry to be babbling on. I forget all that past stuff with me’n Lib has passed through the McKay gossip channels and you know all about it.”

  “Only because we’re aware that every couple has problems and we were glad to see you two worked it out.”

  “No McKay couple that I know of hit the skids as hard as we did,” Quinn said.

  Carson uncapped his second Dr. Pepper of the morning and drank. “That’s because you weren’t around when me’n Carolyn hit the skids.”

  Arms crossed over his chest, Quinn looked as if he wanted to call bullshit on that statement. “Oh yeah? You and Aunt Carolyn?”

  “Yep. The first year we were married was pretty rough, dealing with all the West/McKay family bullshit, and her mother bein’ so sick and dyin’. But we pulled through. Then we had Cord. Things were okay for a while after Colby was born, Round about years five and six, she threatened to kick my ass out on numerous occasions—every one justified, but I sweet-talked my way back into her good graces. Don’t get me wrong; I worked hard, but then I partied hard, leavin’ her alone with two kids. Real fuckin’ peach of a man I was during that time. I’d straighten up for a while, then go back to my same drinkin’ and fightin’ ways. Until she’d had enough. By that time we’d been married…about seven years.”

  “Jesus, Uncle Carson, I had no idea.”

  “No one does. Well, Cal and Kimi did because they lived close by and Cal had to deal with my drunken ass and Kimi with her sister’s tears. That was right before your mom came back and married your dad, so poor Charlie got sucked into bein’ my partner in crime sometimes.”

  “You never told your kids?”

  “Just Colt, and not the particulars, only to let him know I’d headed down that destructive path he’d been on. I’ve been of the mindset that problems between a husband and wife should be dealt with in private.” Then again, he hadn’t that luxury with Carolyn. Her blow-up had been very public.

  “While normally I’d agree, in this case me’n Libby bein’ separated and then getting back together forced my mom to do some soul searching. Like you said, I wasn’t privy to my folks’ intimate relationship before that, I just know it affected their marriage for the better afterward.”

  “And I’m glad of that too.”

  Silence stretched between them for the first time since Quinn had sat down. When Carson glanced at the clock, he realized thirty minutes had passed. In ten minutes he could sit with Carolyn.

  Quinn chuckled and rolled to his feet. “Guess I get the award for bringing the least amount of cheer into the waitin’ room, huh?”

  “Nah. It’s good to reflect. And trust me; I’ve had plenty of time to think. No surprise that memory ain’t one I’m lookin’ to revisit.”

  “Take care, Uncle C. Tell Aunt Carolyn we’re pullin’ for her. And if you need anything, call.”

  He wouldn’t call, but he appreciated the offer. “Thanks Quinn. Give my best to Libby and tell her thanks.”

  “Will do.”

  Carson used the bathroom and returned to staring out the window, counting the minutes.

  It seemed forever before he heard, “Okay, Mr. McKay. Let’s get you suited up.”

  This time when he entered the room he loomed over her, studying her beautiful face, rather than just plopping down by her bedside.

  “Hey, sugar. I’m here beside you. I know you can hear me. I need you to hear me. Come back to me. I need you to know that I’m right here, I ain’t goin’ anywhere.

  “Not that I’m talkin’ about anything earthshattering while I’m in here.” He caressed her forearm. Then he dropped onto the rolling stool. “Quinn brought by some magazines. Maybe I’ll find a fascinating article to talk about. I heard the docs say it’s the sound of a familiar voice, not the words that are said, that matters, but I think that’s a bunch of horseshit. I want you to hear what I’m sayin’.

  “Vi sent me food. Sweet of her. It was good—not as good as yours, but I’m thinkin’ you won’t be up for cookin’ after you wake up and we bust you outta here. Somehow Quinn got on the subject of the problems he and Libby had a few years back. He seemed embarrassed by it so I said that we’d been married a few years when I about fucked it all up. And yes, I told him the blame landed square on me. I hadn’t thought about it in years, so I’m hopin’ that time in our married life is a blur to you…”

  Carolyn had been bobbing along in the dark currents of her mind, her thoughts disappearing beneath the surface as soon as she had them. Then she’d hear his voice and pop back up, fighting the undertow. It wasn’t lost on her that she was swimming against the tide—but she’d never learned how to swim.

  She flailed around until she latched onto the memory, praying it’d keep her afloat in this pseudo-reality for a little while longer because even bad memories were better than no memories at this point…

  “Mama.”

  Carolyn turned from the stove. She adjusted Colby on her hip and looked at Cord, playing with his barnyard animal set on the living room floor. “Whatcha need, sweetheart?”

  “When’s Daddy comin’ home?”

  Good question. As it was well past dark the man should’ve been home two hours ago. “I don’t know. Maybe something came up.” Lying to herself was one thing, but she didn’t want to lie to her son about why Daddy preferred to spend his evenings elsewhere.

  Carson McKay, you are in for it when you stumble your drunken self home.

  During the slow season, her husband spent a few evenings a week in town. Having a few drinks and laughs with other ranchers, guys he’d known all his life. Carolyn didn’t begrudge him that time. The man worked hard throughout the year and deserved to kick back.

  But in the past, he’d always gone out with Cal. Since Kimi was seven months pregnant with twins, Cal went straight home to his wife every night.

  Remember when Carson used to do that?

  Yes. Even after Cord had been born he’d rather be home with them than chugging beer with his buddies, even for one night.

  When had that changed?

  During her second pregnancy. After his fight with his father.

  Caring for Cord all day and the constant nausea and tiredness with baby number two had given her less energy for her husband. Carson’s weekly trip to the Silver Spur had changed into twice a week.

  Then after Colby’s birth, in addition to taking care of a two-year-old and a baby, she tended their enormous garden, took on sewing projects for Maxine, and with Agnes’s encouragement, she’d become involved with Ladies Circle at St. Ignatius.

  So the fact Carson could entertain himself seemed like a blessing. Then last year after Kimi returned to Wyoming, had a whirlwind affair with Cal, ended up pregnant and married and practically living next door, she spent her free time with her sister. Carson didn’t seem to mind, and even if he had she would’ve happily pointed out all the time he spent outside ranch work with his brothers.

  But it hadn’t come up.

  They’d been married seven years. They had a five-year-old, a three-year-old and—she placed her hand over her belly—another one on the way. Something she hadn’t told her husband because he hadn’t been around lately.

  The sound of stomping boots brought her out of her woolgathering. She glanced over to see Cord reaching for the door handle.

  “Whoa there, little buckaroo. What’s the rule?”

  “Don’t go outta the house without askin’.”

  “Right. So what are you doing?”

  Cord’s sweet face formed a scowl. “Mama, I as
ked if I could go lookin’ for Daddy and you didn’t say nothin’.”

  “Because I didn’t say no you figured that meant yes?”

  He nodded.

  She’d have to be much more literal with her boys from here on out. “Sweetie, your daddy isn’t close by.”

  “Why not? Where is he?”

  “I’ll call Uncle Cal and see if I can’t find out.” She kissed Colby’s forehead. “Play with your brother.”

  Another scowl.

  Just as she reached for the phone to call Kimi, it rang. Sometimes it was uncanny how much she and her sister had the same train of thought. “McKays.”

  “Carolyn. It’s Francine. How are you?”

  Not her sister, but the head of the Ladies Circle, calling to discuss the care packages they’d been assembling for missionary purposes. “I’m fine, Francine. How are you?”

  A pause. “I’m doing well, thanks for asking. And I have…something that I need to discuss with you.”

  She knew they needed another coordinator for catechism class, but she really couldn’t add another thing to her duties. “I’d be happy to talk about it next week after the meeting; right now—”

  “Carolyn, dear, this has nothing to do with your volunteering at the church. This is personal. And I feel the need to preface this by saying I’m not telling you this out of malice or spite. This isn’t some two-bit gossip I’m passing along thirdhand. This is something I witnessed myself, just last night.”

  “What?”

  “I saw your husband with another woman.”

  Her lungs and her vocal chords seized up, but somehow she managed to squeak out, “Where?”

  “We had supper at the Silver Spur. I had to use the facilities and when I passed the back room, I saw Carson.” A pause. “With some woman.”

  “Who?”

  “To be completely honest, I’m not sure who the woman was. It was dark back there. And they were…” She cleared her throat. “Cozied up together is the simplest way to put it.”

  Carolyn half sat/half fell onto a kitchen chair. “You’re sure it was Carson?”

  “I wouldn’t be calling you if I wasn’t sure. I wrestled with telling you, but I thought you’d want to know. I know I would if it were me.”

  Her head spun. Carson. Her Carson. The man who claimed to love her more than anything, the man who swore he’d spend his life making her happy…was cheating on her?

  The bottom fell out of her world.

  Francine said, “I haven’t told another soul. Trust me, I won’t. I hope it’s a misunderstanding and I saw the situation out of context.”

  “I hope so too, Francine.”

  “If you need anything, anything,” she stressed, “please call me.”

  “I will. And thank you for your honesty and your discretion. I’ll get to the bottom of it right away.”

  “Blessings to you dear, you’re in my prayers.”

  As soon as Carolyn hung up, the sick feeling that’d taken root grew ugly, thorny stems and began to spread. She folded her arms on the kitchen table and laid down her head, squeezing her eyes shut against a flood of tears.

  Had her attention to the boys, and her sister, and her other responsibilities driven him into another woman’s arms?

  She scrolled back the past week or so, trying to remember if Carson had acted weird. Or guilty.

  He’d been freshly showered when he came to bed last night.

  To wash off the scent of another woman’s perfume?

  She’d chalked up his distance to him being tired and stressed about money.

  You’re making excuses for him.

  No. But she hadn’t been much of a wife to him lately either.

  And how is that? You cook for him, you wash his clothes, clean his house and raise his children.

  What about sexually? She hadn’t seen to his needs—or he to hers in the past month.

  Because he’s getting what he needs from someone else.

  A sort of red rage began to build in her, supplanting the feeling of desolation.

  How dare he. She would not be cast aside. She was more to him than a cook, maid and babysitter. How long had it been since he’d acted like she mattered? When had she accepted that an occasional glimpse of the loving man she’d married was better than none?

  She couldn’t even remember the last time they’d had a conversation that didn’t involve ranch work or kids. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d done something sweet or thoughtful for her.

  But you’ve done plenty of sweet and thoughtful things for him.

  A little finger poked her in the side. She lifted her head and looked into Cord’s enormous blue eyes. Serious eyes. Eyes like his father’s. Love for this child swamped her and she hugged him tightly. He reached up, wreathing his arms around her neck and she rubbed her cheek against the baby-smooth softness of his skin.

  “Me too!” Colby shouted and tried to worm his way between them.

  Cord whispered, “Mama, why you sad?”

  She leaned back. “How could I ever be sad when I have such wonderful boys to make me smile?”

  Colby scooted under her arm and rested his head above her breast with a sigh.

  “I have an idea. How would you guys like to spend the night with Aunt Kimi and Uncle Cal? Then tomorrow after I pick you up we’ll get ice cream.”

  That brought a sweet smile to Cord’s face. “With marshmallows?”

  “And a cherry on top.” She kissed Colby’s dark head. “Let’s get jammies and your toothbrushes.”

  “And Bully,” Colby said.

  Her son loved the stuffed bull Carson had won for him at the fair last year. “Wouldn’t dream of leaving Bully behind.”

  The boys tore off and Carolyn dialed her sister’s number. Before Kimi even said hello, Carolyn said, “I need you to watch the boys tonight. That’s all I can say right now.”

  But it wasn’t Kimi on the line. Cal said, “No problem.” A pause. “Is this about Carson?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ah hell, Caro. Do you know what you’re doin’?”

  Did Cal know about Carson’s recent activities at the Silver Spur? Did Kimi know that Carson might be stepping out on her? How long had it been going on? Was she the last to know and the laughingstock of the town? Sweet, obedient Carolyn McKay sitting at home popping out kids while Carson McKay ran wild and made her look like a fool? “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I don’t know what’s goin’ on with him either, so don’t assume nothin’, okay? Carson has been a real jackass to me the last two months. If we ain’t directly workin’ with each other, then I avoid him ’cause I don’t like the way he’s been actin’. I’m glad you’re callin’ him on his shit.”

  This was why she loved Cal. He was loyal to his brother, while not willing to kiss his ass or overlook his faults. “Thanks. I’ll drop the boys off in ten minutes.”

  After she returned home it took forty-five minutes to get ready. But she wasn’t certain if dolling herself up would even matter. One last swipe with the eyeliner and another coat of siren red lipstick and she studied her reflection. Not a trace of frumpy housewife stared back at her. In fact, she looked so different in these clothes and heavy makeup she wondered if Carson would recognize her. She wondered why she didn’t put more effort into looking like this all the time.

  Turning sideways she only noticed a slight swell in her abdomen. When pregnant with Cord and Colby she hadn’t started showing until five months.

  Too bad she couldn’t knock back a shot of whiskey to calm her nerves. She slipped off her wedding rings and headed to the car.

  The Silver Spur had a decent amount of cars in the parking lot for a Thursday night. Carson’s rig was parked up front. As if he’d been there a while.

  Her heart raced as she sauntered in,
but she held her head high. The normal buzz of anticipation filled the smoky air as the band tuned up. She hadn’t been in here in ages and scored a spot at the end of the bar, within view of the back room. Standing on tiptoe, she saw a hatted head in the last booth, but with the amount of cowboy hats in Wyoming it could be anyone.

  The bartender stopped in front of her. “What can I get you tonight, beautiful?”

  “How about a whiskey Coke—hold the whiskey.”

  He grinned. “Comin’ right up.”

  Carolyn didn’t study the people to see if she’d recognize anyone. She leaned an elbow on the bar and checked out the space, as if it was the first time she’d been in.

  “Here’s your drink, darlin’.”

  She tried to pay him but he waved her money off. “You’re doin’ me a favor by classing this place up.”

  Two minutes later the first guy approached her. “You new to town?” he asked. “Because I haven’t seen you in here before.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’da remembered a fox like you.”

  She smiled. “You spend much time at the Spur?”

  “More than I should, probably.” He sipped his beer. “What’s your name, pretty lady?”

  “Sugar,” she lied. “What’s yours?”

  “Tater.”

  “Interesting name. Are you from around here, Tater?”

  “Yep. But I’m on the road a lot.”

  “Oh. Are you a truck driver?”

  “Nope. I’m a rodeo cowboy.”

  Carson’s choice words about the guys who ran the circuit jumped into her head and she affected an awed look—totally fake—not that the guy noticed. “For real? What’s your specialty?”

  “Ropin’.” Then he launched into an explanation of the strategy involved that was complete crap.

  Carolyn saw movement in the back room. Carson stood to let the dark-haired home-wrecker out of his side of the booth.

  The band launched into “Your Cheatin’ Heart”.

  How appropriate.

  Despite the rage boiling her blood, she managed a calm, “Tater, I feel like dancing.” It’d been a couple of years since Carson had taken her out. Since before Colby had been born.