Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(50)

“You want scrambled eggs? Or a sandwich?”


“Eggs are fine, but you don’t have to cook for me. I can make it myself.”


He walked over and kissed her nose. “Sit. It’ll be done in a minute.”


AJ knew Cord was completely at home in a kitchen. Her father never had been. She suspected Carson McKay wasn’t either. But up until a couple of weeks ago Cord had been mother and father to Ky and he’d had no choice.


He slid two steaming plates piled with eggs and toast on the breakfast bar, then came around to sit beside her.


“Looks good. Thank you.”


“No problem. You need ketchup?”


“Yuck.”


“Ky won’t eat eggs without drownin’ them in red goo.”


“Hopefully my palate is more developed than a four-year-old boy’s.”


Cord’s fork stopped above his plate. “I didn’t mean—”


“I know. I was teasing.”


They ate the rest of the meal in silence. Cord picked up the plates and shoved them in the sink next to the frying pan and the breakfast dishes.


“Since you cooked you want me to do those?”


A strange, tight look crossed his face. “That’s not necessary.”


“I don’t mind.” AJ squirted dishsoap in the sink and turned the water on. “So I know it’s probably too soon, but did you and your dad talk about what you’re gonna do with our ranch?”


“Some. We’ve talked about plantin’ buffalo grass in the north pasture to see if it’ll take.”


“Smart. I’ve always been worried about overgrazing in that section. My dad wasn’t vigilant as far as rotation. Before you bought us out I’d planned on having mom talk to you about resting the grazing field to the south this fall anyway. Looks a little rough for the wear.”


Cord seemed unusually quiet, in a considering way, and AJ realized she’d revealed she knew too much. She scrambled for a subject change. “As far as plans for our house?


It needs some work. Major work.”


“Guess we won’t make any decisions until…”


“We’re gone, right?” She scrubbed the plates and placed them on the left side of the sink.


“Sorry, that was kinda thoughtless.”


“It’s okay. I haven’t really wrapped my head around the fact it won’t be my home anymore.” She dropped the cleaned forks next to the plates. “Keely said I could come home with her whenever I wanted, which was sweet, but visiting won’t be the same as living here.”


“You talked to Keely?”


“Of course I talked to her.” AJ rinsed the soap from the dishes. She reached for the dishtowel, but Cord had it in his hand and plucked up a plate to dry.


“What else did you talk to my little sister about?”


“Why don’t you come right out and ask me if I talked to her about us making mattress angels?”


“Fine. Does she know?”


“Yes.”


“That’s just f*ckin’ great.”


She whirled around. “I trust her. I don’t care if you are pissed off about it. She’s my best friend and I talk to her about everything that’s going on in my life. The fact you’re her brother doesn’t matter and if it bothers you—what the hell are you staring at?”