Short Rides (Rough Riders #14.5)(18)

“Yeah, probably not a good thing to tell Westin that he was conceived in the dining room.”


Edgard noticed Chassie had been picking at her corn more than eating it. “Something wrong, querida?”


“I’m happy to be here alone with you guys, but I’ll admit I do miss the kids.”


“So do we, sweetheart.” Trevor reached for her hand. “I know it’ll put your mind at ease to call them before bedtime to see how they’re doin’.”


She lifted his hand and kissed it. “Thank you. Now that that’s out of the way, what else do you have planned for tonight?”


Edgard wiped his mouth and set his napkin aside. “We brought a couple of movies—non-cartoon stuff we’ve been wanting to watch but don’t have time for.”


“Or we could play cribbage,” Trevor offered.


“Or we could just pile onto the couch and watch TV.”


“How would that be any different than a night at home?” Chassie asked.


“Max wouldn’t be running around yelling, ‘Mama, Mama watch me,’ while he’s throwing toys everywhere,” Trevor said dryly.


Edgard nodded. “And we wouldn’t be checking Westin’s homework, finishing laundry, working on scheduling goat milk transportation and cattle shipment times, while combing out Sophia’s hair and wrestling Max and Westin into the tub—”


“Okay, okay, I get it. Tonight will be more sedate,” Chassie said, standing and carrying her plate to the sink.


“Plus, we won’t have to share our popcorn with the little popcorn hogs.” Edgard hip-checked her away from the sink. “The movies are in the bag in the bedroom. Pick one while Trev and I finish the dishes.”


“You guys cooked and are cleaning up? I really am on vacation.”


Trevor snapped her ass with a dishtowel. “Keep it up, smarty-pants and you will feel that crop tonight.”


After stowing the leftovers in the fridge, Edgard filled the sink with water and washed while Trevor dried.


“There’s something I forgot to mention after all that bullshit happened with Westin at school. I ran into Colby earlier that day when I was picking up groceries. He asked if Westin was entered in the mutton bustin’ event at the 4-H fundraiser next weekend.”


Edgard looked at him. “What’d you say?”



“That we’d talk about it. But to be honest, I don’t wanna bring it up unless Westin asks us about it.”


“Why?”


“Because I’m not sure I want him involved in the sport of rodeo at all.” Trevor leaned against the counter. “You know my Dad didn’t give me a choice. And with you and me bein’ on the circuit as professionals, I don’t want Westin to feel he’s gotta live up to something that we only enjoyed the last few years because we got to be together.”


“You’re afraid he thinks we’ll be disappointed in him if he doesn’t at least try it and carry on some kind of family tradition in rodeo?”


Trevor nodded. “Or worse...what if he tries it and likes it? I mean, we both just disappeared off the circuit. But guaranteed if Westin starts ropin’, his last name will create interest. Which will lead to buzz, rumors, and all that bullshit we’re tryin’ to avoid. Especially when folks in the rodeo world learn that you changed your last name to Glanzer and we’re living together with Chassie West. That’ll bring up Dag, too.” He shifted his stance. “I’m not ashamed of our life, but we do keep a low profile. Putting our kid in the rodeo arena probably ain’t the best thing to keep it that way.”


Edgard frowned. “I don’t disagree. Has Westin expressed interest in rodeoin’ to you?”


“He mentioned his cousins—Colby’s, Cord’s and Cam’s boys—are competing in a few events this fall.”


“That’s it?”


Trevor’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah. Why?”


“Sounds to me like he was testing the waters to see what you’d say. We can point out that it’s doubtful Colt and Indy will let their boys compete. Westin worships Boone and Boone ain’t a rodeo cowboy, so we can add that too.”


“Jesus, Ed, you’re missing the point.”


“No, I’m not.” Edgard closed the distance between them. “You are. If he wants to try it, we’ll let him try it. If we tell him no, he’s gonna want to do it even more. Much as we’d like to plan for every variable in our kids’ lives, we can’t.”


Trevor hooked the towel around Edgard’s neck and tugged. “You are one smart bastard.” He smashed his lips to Edgard’s in a punishing kiss.


Edgard lightly punched Trevor in the gut to break the lip lock. “Come on. Let’s get these dishes done.”


“Should we bring this up with Chassie?” Trevor asked softly.


“Not unless Westin expresses real interest in the sport. Our Chass worries enough as it is. And with what happened at school this week...well, I say leave it be. Let’s focus on why we’re here this weekend.”