Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(122)

Quinn muttered, “Amelia’s teen years are gonna kill me, huh?”


“If Adam’s don’t do you in first. I hear boys are worse than girls.”


“Thanks for the sympathy, bro,” he said dryly.


Sierra hopped out of the car, holding her backpack on her left side.


Marin backed up and yelled, “Bye, McKay, don’t forget to call me later!” out the car window before she sped off.


McKay? That was new. Wasn’t it?


Sierra stopped a few feet from the tailgate. “Hey, Q.”


Quinn smiled widely at her. “So, McKay, huh?”


Sierra shot Gavin a quick glance before looking at Quinn. “Yeah. That’s what the kids at school call me.”


Why hadn’t Sierra mentioned this?


Because it’d gone over so well when you found out she called Vi Grams.


“I guess that’s a better nickname than Trouble,” Quinn said. “Though to hear most folks around here talk, McKay and trouble mean the same thing.”


Sierra grinned. “I’ve heard some of the stories about the wild McKay boys.”


“All lies,” Quinn said with a straight face.


“That’s what Grandpa Charlie says too.”


“Find any proof of those wild ways as you’re doin’ your family research project?”


“A few. I found out a lot of stuff about the McKays and Wests and I can’t wait to talk about it at the branding.” She made a face. “Grandpa Charlie and Grams are making me give an oral report to the entire McKay family.”


Gavin could see Sierra’s excitement and pride, even when she tried to pass it off as a chore.


“But most of the recent McKay dirt I’ve heard has come from Kyler or Keely.”


“Speaking of Keely…” Gavin said. “Grab a snack and we’ll hit the road in about ten minutes for your physical therapy session.”


She sighed. “Do I have to? My collarbone feels completely healed.” She rotated her arm forward and back. “See? It’s fine. The sessions are a waste of my time and Keely’s time and your money.”


“Not according to Doc Monroe.”


Sierra shifted her stance, acting as if she needed to talk but wasn’t comfortable doing so in front of Quinn.


Quinn caught the vibe and slid off the tailgate. “I best be goin’.”


“Thanks for bringing the horses over today.”


“Not a problem. Just holler anytime you wanna ride.” Quinn tugged on Sierra’s hair. “You can ride any time you want after you get the doctor’s official all clear on your physical therapy.”


“You’re gonna be so surprised when I just show up, demanding riding lessons, Q.”


“I look forward to it.” Quinn drove off.


Sierra dropped her backpack on the ground and moved in to hug him. “Hey Dad.”


He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, enjoying this sweet spontaneous hug. She held onto him for the longest time. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. “You okay?”


“I just had a bad day. Nothing specific happened, I’m just feeling kind of sad. I miss my mom.”


“I know you do, sweetheart.”


“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m low on Dad hugs and need some Dad time.”


Gavin held her a little tighter. “So we should do something after your physical therapy appointment.”


“Just you and me?”


“Sure. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”


She nodded against his chest and sighed.


Moments like these were worth suffering through every slamming door and petty fight. “I’ll run in, grab my wallet and leave a note for Rielle.”


“I hope it won’t hurt her feelings that we’re doing something without her.”


That Sierra even mentioned it was a sign she’d accepted Rielle as a permanent part of their life—he refused to look at it any other way.


May…


“You know, I think it’s sucky that Boone isn’t taking you to prom this weekend.”


Me too. “Prom is so not his type of thing.”


“How would he know if he’s never been to one?”


“You do have a point.” She couldn’t tell Marin that Boone couldn’t afford to take anyone to prom. What girl would ride on the back of his bike in a fancy dress?


You would. In a freakin’ heartbeat.


Marin sighed heavily. “I just don’t get you, McKay.”


“What did I do now?”


“You turned down Paxton Green’s invite to prom, which is just stupid because hello, he’s hot, sweet and…did I mention hot?”


“Several times.”


“So you should’ve said yes. We should be in Rapid right now trying on slutty prom dresses.”


Sierra laughed. “You really think my dad would let me wear a slutty prom dress out of the house?”