Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(24)

Her father helped himself to breakfast. The only sounds were the hum of the heater and the crunching cereal.


“I hear there’s a basketball game today. Grandpa is going.”


“I wanted you to come to the basketball game, Mommy.”


“I know, baby. And I’m sorry that I’ll be stuck here while you’re having a good time with Grandpa and Kane.”


“His name is Buck,” Hayden said snottily.


“Actually, my name is Kane. Buck was a nickname I tried out for a while, hopin’ it’d distinguish me from my twin brother and my McKay cousins, whose names, for some reason, all seem to start with the letter C or K.”


“I wasn’t talking to you,” Hayden retorted.


Shocked, Ginger leaned back and looked at her son sternly. “Hayden Michael Paulson. What is wrong with you? That was just plain rude. Apologize to Kane right now.”


Silence. Surly, stubborn silence.


Ginger waited about another fifteen seconds. Then she instructed, “Back to your room. You can come out only when you’re ready to be civilized and apologize to Kane.”


“But Mom—”


“No buts. Go on.”


He climbed off her lap and ran to his room, slamming the door behind him.


She closed her eyes. Kids and drama went hand in hand. Chances were high Hayden’s snit would only last a few minutes. But she’d learned early on if she let him exhibit bratty behavior, he’d use it whenever possible to get his way.


“Ginger?” Kane said.


Please. Don’t offer me parenting advice right now. “What?”


“Would you like a reheat?”


“Yes. Thank you.”


He’d filled her cup and cleared her father’s bowl.


Sure enough, less than five minutes later, the bedroom door opened and Hayden appeared. He started to climb onto her lap, but she shook her head and pointed to Kane.


Hayden stood behind his grandfather’s wheelchair, his fingers curled around the handgrips. “Umm.


I’m sorry for being rude to you, Buck.”


“Thanks for the apology, sport.”


“So you’re not mad?”


“Nope. Takes courage to admit you were wrong.”


Hayden slid into the chair next to her. “What am I supposed to call you? I’ve always called you Buck, but everyone else calls you Kane.”


“My nieces Eliza, Peyton, Shannie and Liesl call me Buck. So do Kyler, Gib, Thane, Anton, Parker, Braxton, Spencer, Westin… Shoot, I know I’m forgetting a couple that can talk now.”


“You consider all your McKay cousins’ offspring your nieces and nephews?” Ginger asked.


“Pretty much. Me’n Kade were with them all the time growin’ up. And we’re ranching together, so the kids think of me the same as their other McKay uncles.” He winked. “I’ve gotta admit to havin’ a real soft spot for Kade’s girls.”


“Anton and Ky are cool,” Hayden offered. “They’re always talking about all their cousins.” He dumped cereal in his bowl and poured soymilk over it.


“Seems my cousins’ wives are in a race to see who can have the most kids in the shortest amount of time.”


“Who’s winning?”


“Colby and Channing were, but with Cam and Domini adopting Liesl and the twins a few months back…they’re tied. Four and four.”


Ginger looked at Kane. “Lots of twins in the McKay family tree.”


He nodded. “Mostly fraternal. Kade and I are the only identical twins in our McKay generation, but it seems genetics—and adoption—is makin’ up for it in this next generation.”


Kane’s phone buzzed and he plucked it out of his front shirt pocket. “Mornin’ Ma.” Pause. “No.”


Another pause. “Because it ain’t a story Ginger wants spread all over town.” He held the phone away from his ear as his mother railed on him.


Ginger detected humor in his tone, not anger as he said, “Sorry. No, I am sincerely sorry, Ma. Yes ma’am.” Then he hung up.



He gave Hayden a conspiratorial wink. “See? My mama still makes me apologize too.”


“Wow. What did you do?”


“Forgot to tell her I’m helpin’ out over here.”


“Oh.” Hayden tucked into his cereal, hiding behind the box.


“What time do we have to leave for the basketball game?” Dash asked Kane.


“’Bout two hours.”


“I’ll be ready. I have a few things to finish up in my room.” Dash left the table and his door closed behind him.


“As soon as you’re done with breakfast, you need to hop in the shower, Hayden.”


“Aw, Mom. I’m probably just gonna get sweaty at the game. I’ll shower when I get home.”


“No dice.”


“Why do you make me shower every day? It’s a waste of water,” Hayden grumbled. He shoved the cereal box aside and challenged Kane. “Do you shower once a day?”