“Gonna go spread the word,” Denver said.
Coke took a deep, deep breath, then let it out. “Thank God.”
“You know it, babe.” Dillon hugged him again, a tight squeeze. “Yay.”
“Yes.”
A huge cry rang out, and the fireworks started going off, too, the whole of Texas celebrating.
He dropped his lips to Dillon’s, taking the kiss he needed. Dillon clung to him, arms around his neck, holding them together just like that.
Happy New Year.Please God, he prayed.Let it be good. For all of us.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Dillon was about to lose his shit.
New Year’s Day at the Gardner ranch this year consisted of a bunch of hungover cowboys, all surly as hell, all waking up so late that the fucking bullfighters ended up doing the animal feeding.
He and Tracy rounded up dogs and kids and shit, making pancakes and sausage like a well-oiled machine, but if one more asshole growled over their midday coffee, Dillon would pour the whole pot on said asshole’s head.
Coke and Nate came in from feeding, both of them bright eyed and bushy tailed, poking at each other and laughing.
That sight was enough to bring Dillon’s shoulders down from around his ears. “Look at those two playing cowboy,” Dillon said, tickling Tracy in the ribs.
“I know, right? Adorable as hell.” She leaned closer. “I told Nate this morning that it was fixin’ to be time to blow this Popsicle stand. I mean, it’s been fun, but…”
“Shit, yes. They’ll have all the help they can now that the holiday is over. Local folks and all.” Dillon wanted to grab Coke and scurry before anything else happened.
“Exactly.”
Coke had Nate down in a headlock, giving the man a noogie. They bumped into the chair where Denver was sitting and the lanky cowboy growled a bit.
“Hey, now,” Nate said. “Not my fault you’re all grumpy, bud.”
“Shit, no. That’s the evil beer.”
“Well, there you go.” Nate chuckled.
Coke gave Tracy a kiss on her forehead. “Good morning, lady.”
“Morning, Coke, honey. Come and eat.”
“Smells amazing.” Nate hugged Tracy tight. “Even Dillon looks good when there are pancakes.”
Coke gave him a long once-over. “Yep. Not bad. Not bad at all.”
Brenda and Jack wandered in, suitcases in hand. “We’re going to stop and see the babies and head out to Beaver’s Bend for our honeymoon.”
“Oh, that sounds nice,” Dillon said. Beaver’s Bend? Who named these places?
“I got us a cabin. My friend Lew says they’re gorgeous.”
Coke nodded easily. “Nice area. Good for kayaking and canoeing.”
Dillon stared. How did Coke know this shit? Had he grown up near there? When was he going to stop being surprised by things Coke said?
Dillon smelled something burning, so he turned back to the stove. Whoops. One dead pancake.
