“That stallion has the same attitude as you. It’s no wonder you usually ride him.”
Pharaoh rolls his eyes and snorts, baring his big teeth at me. His black coat shines in the stable lights. He’s an impressive animal but that temper of his is legendary.
Kinda like Garret’s.
The man in question rolls his eyes at me and the deep green is ice-cold.
“He just doesn’t take shit from anybody. I understand him.”
I turn back to Honeypot who snuffles at my pockets. Grinning, I pull a carrot out and hold it out. She munches happily while I finish her up and then lead her into her warm stall. It only takes me another few minutes to get her settled with her oats ration and her hay. She fusses for a minute, bumping into my shoulder so hard she almost knocks me off my feet.
Laughing, I shove at her broad shoulder and exit the stall, watching her turn to her treat, which hides the supplements I give her.
She munches happily, the soft crunching following me out of the stall.
Garret and Jules meet me and the three of us stride across the yard, making sure that every door is locked and everything’s ready for the night.
The iron-gray clouds follow me inside as my mother turns to me and scowls. “You boys drive me crazy. You know this is Friday. How are you gonna find yourself a girl if you never go to Neon Saloon?”
Garret huffs and Jules chuckles. I groan, dropping into the kitchen chair. “Ma. I’m not looking for a girl. I’ve had enoughexperience with all the girls in this town to know that not one of them is mine.”
“There are other girls in this town besides the ones that grew up here.”
Huffing, I glare at her as she hands me my bowl. “I am not gonna discuss that.”
We both know that Alicia fucked me over good. She swore that she found her home here. It was home to her even though she didn’t come from around here.
I believed her too. Fell for her like a ton of bricks. So it about broke me when she took off for the hills when a job that was perfect for her showed up.
Not that I begrudge her getting the job of her dreams. But she didn’t even say good-bye. Just left me a Dear John letter on the door.
I’ve got no use for any woman that wasn’t born and bred in this area. And if that means that I die alone, I don’t fucking care.
“If y’all don’t go tonight, I’m gonna tell Sandy Cooper that you want to go out with her granddaughter.”
Wincing, I growl, “That girl is a menace. And she’s only fucking eighteen. I don’t rob the cradle, ma.”
“You’re only thirty-four, Stone.”
Snorting, I take a big bite of stew. Chewing, I give myself time to think. Ma’s a stubborn woman and if she’s bound and determined to get me to the saloon, I don’t really have much choice.
She wants grandbabies and she’s getting pretty desperate. Sometimes I expect to wake up with company. She’s that desperate.
Huffing, I swallow and sigh. “Fine. I’ll go. But donotdare to talk to Sandy about her granddaughter. That girl is a mess.”
“She’s not. She just doesn’t know what to do with herself. Both of her parents passed away and she’s not sure what she wants to do with her life.”
Remembering the auburn-haired whirlwind, I smirk at ma. “She’s a devil. She’s also not my type.”
Garret growls under his breath, his dark cheeks a little red. Cocking my head, I study him, my head spinning. Surely not…
“Fine. Go tonight. They’re having lessons tonight and you boys should brush up. Never know when the right girl might want to dance with you.”
Rolling my eyes, I finish my stew and head upstairs to change. The snow is still light and hopefully it stays that way.
Not the best night for a dance but hell…if it makes ma happy, I guess I gotta go.
Sometimes you have to suffer for your kinfolk. Especially your ma.
