Rodeo Christmas at Evergreen Ranch (Gold Valley #13)(116)

But Honey’s happiness meant something to him. The Coopers meant something to him. Which was why, no matter how nice Honey’s ass looked in a pair of jeans, he’d never do anything about it. There were plenty of women out there. More than willing to warm his bed for a few hours. He wasn’t going to mess with his friends’ sister. He also wasn’t going to let her go off half-cocked to warm some other dude’s bed just because she was mad.

Not that he didn’t figure she’d be warming beds, or that she hadn’t. It was just that this was a bad idea. Clearly, up front from the start. And there was no point doing something that was so clearly this dumbass right from step one.

“It doesn’t matter whether you knew or not. You should talk to me. You all should talk to me.”

“The thing is, I wanted it.” He figured honesty was the best policy here. “Whatever was going to get it. Whether you’re happy about it or not.”

“Well, I’m not happy. But it doesn’t matter, because I won’t be around to be unhappy anymore. Fuck you.”

She turned around and stalked out of the room, and he resisted the urge to go after her. Honey and her tantrums weren’t his problem. He had bigger issues. Like making sure everything was covered before he went up to deal with the Daltons. Of course, if he called Creed and Jackson about it, he would blow Honey’s operation. Which was probably for the best.

He took his phone out of his pocket and dialed Jackson. “Hey. I’m going to need your help with the winery for the next week.”

“All right.”

“I’m going to meet my family.”

“Your family?”

“Yeah. My father. Hank Dalton.”

“Well, hell.”

“Don’t say it like that. It’s not that big of a deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Jackson insisted. “He finally acknowledged your existence?”

He didn’t particularly want to talk about this. But it was reality right now, so he supposed there was no avoiding it. “He didn’t know about my existence. Apparently.”

“Hell.”

“I don’t see it as that big of a deal. So I don’t see why you should.”

“Because it’s a big fucking deal.”

“Only if you think I’m going to make a big, happy family out of it. I’m going up for some big Christmas thing. That’s it.”

“Well, I don’t mind helping out.” And he thought about selling Honey out just then. But he didn’t.

“Thanks.”

He might pay for that later. But he would deal with her. No point sending Jackson off after her.

She was already angry enough. He wouldn’t make it worse. And hell, she would see reason. He couldn’t actually imagine Honey taking off and moving up north. She wouldn’t do it.

No. She would come to her senses and see reason.

She had to. He didn’t want to think too deep about the alternative.