Short Rides (Rough Riders #14.5)(26)

“How can you help us?”


Edgard reached for Chassie’s hand. “They’re helpin’ us just by bein’ here.”


She relaxed.


“So Sassy Chassie,” Colt started and grinned, “why in the hell would you send your kid to school in Moorcroft anyway? Because that’s where you went? As I recall, your school years were awful.”


“But I thought my experience might’ve just been me. My issue bein’ ethnic and poor. And Westin had a wonderful kindergarten teacher. The parents in his class seemed to like us and accept us.” Her nose wrinkled. “Well, most of them.”


Edgard looked at Colt. “You’re in the Moorcroft school district too. Doesn’t Hudson start kindergarten next year?”


“Yeah, but he’s goin’ to school in Sundance. That’s always been the plan.”


“Really?” Trevor asked. “Why?”


“Two reasons. The bus picks the kids up so damn early. There’s no reason for them to have to wait an hour to get to school and an hour to get home.”


Chassie gave Edgard a sheepish smile. “That’s what Ed said.”


“Smart man. The other reason is all Hudson’s cousins go to school in Sundance. There’s no mornin’ bus service, but Indy or I have to go to town anyway. And I know the kids; they watch out for each other.” Colt leaned over and poked Chassie’s arm. “Just like they would if Westin went to school with them.”


“Before you got here, Ramona was telling me how much she hated that you, she and Keely all went to different schools,” Trevor said.



“Where did Ramona go?” Edgard asked.


“Hulett.”


Colby leaned forward. “I’m gonna be blunt here, guys, okay? The worst thing you could do to Westin is pull him out of public school and homeschool him. Kids need friends and activities outside their siblings, parents and home environment. If you keep him sheltered, you’ve got no chance to prove to the people who think your situation is f*cked up, that there’s nothin’ wrong with it.”


Edgard had forgotten how intuitive Colby was. The man defined pragmatic and loyal. The three of them had shared good times during the years they traveled the rodeo circuit together. Edgard knew Trevor missed that close friendship.


But the fact he was here showed he cared. Edgard would talk with Cassie and Trevor about inviting Colby and Channing and their brood over. Maybe they had isolated themselves more than they’d realized.


“When you put it that way...I definitely don’t think we should homeschool. My ranting was a knee-jerk reaction.” Chassie sighed. “Maybe Westin will have homework if we send him to school in Sundance. He complains now he doesn’t have any.”


Colby grinned. “Gib was the same way. Braxton...we practically have to hogtie that kid to the chair to get him to finish his schoolwork.”


Trevor pointed at Colby. “He gets that from you, pard. We were both the same way.”


“True. I’m lucky my former schoolteacher wife cracks the whip on the boys.”


“So did any of this convince you to send Westin to school in Sundance?” Colt asked.


The three of them looked at each other. Trevor spoke. “We’ll talk about it tonight and make our decision. I’m pretty sure Westin will be on board with it. We appreciate you both comin’ and setting us straight.”


“That’s what family does, dumbass.”


Everyone pushed back from the table.


“If you do decide to transfer him, give me a heads up. Me’n Chan will meet you at the school early on Monday.”


Edgard clapped Colby on the back. “Will do. You and your lovely wife and kids oughta come over for supper sometime in the next few weeks.”


Colby gave him a big smile. “That’d be great. I’ll talk to her.”


“When is Channing due again?” Chassie asked.


“We’ve got a ways to go since she’s only three months along.”


“Six kids. Man, how’re you gonna do that?” Edgard asked.


“No clue. But hell, it’s that third kid that’s the killer. After that?” He shrugged. “No big.”


“We ain’t testing that theory,” Colt said. “Three is enough because Ellison gets into enough trouble for two kids.”


“Didja ever find out why he smeared McKenna with peanut butter?” Trevor asked.


Colt sighed. “He wanted to see if the dog would lick it off her. McKenna was so happy to have Ellison’s attention she just sat there and let him do it.”


Chassie snickered. “I know it’s not funny...the kid looks like an angel but he has such a devilish streak.”


“We’re gonna hafta keep an eye on Max and Ellison when they start school.”


Ramona came downstairs with the kids.


After goodbyes were exchanged, Edgard glanced at the clock. The kids would be asking about supper soon and neither he nor Chassie had made anything.


“Listen up. Get your shoes on and grab your coats. We’re goin’ out for pizza.”