“Yep,” Amelia says, looking back at me, that smile perfectly in place, drawing my attention back to her. “Every Saturday morning. I’m also working as a bartender over at the Rodeo Roundup. My cousin got me the job. It keeps me busy and pays the bills.”
“That’s good, it keeps you busy.” I nod. “I’ll have to check it out sometime.”
“I work pretty much Monday through Friday and every other Saturday as well as one Sunday a month, depending on the season. Come in, and we’ll catch up. I make a mean Cosmo. You can tell me all about that fancy job of yours while I make you one.”
“Make it a whiskey sour, and you have a deal.” I laugh and shake my head. “Though I will say, there’s not much to tell when it comes to the whole fancy job of mine, but sure, I’ll fill you in on everything.” I didn’t mean to say it like I did with a bitter taste in my mouth, but my lack of said job isn’t something I’m ready to share just yet.
“I can definitely do that,” she says, her gaze shifting ever so slightly, and I glance in the direction to see it’s my brother.
“You ready?” Maddox asks, eyes coming to me. I noticed him coming off the porch, but I hadn’t paid that much attention to him coming in our direction.
“I’ll catch you later, Della,” Amelia says, and I nod to her
“Sure, I’ll see you soon.” I smile, though small as it may be, toward Amelia and turn my attention to Maddox. “Just give me a minute, and I’ll join you.
“We gotta meet with the lawyer up at the house before we can see to the guests. Mr. Cohen’s on a tight schedule, has a plane to catch. Make it quick,” he grumbles.
Mr. Cohen had called Maddox and told him that he’d do the reading of Granddaddy’s Will directly after the funeral since he was leaving to go out of town later today.
I know he’s looking forward to this as much as I am. Neither of us wants a load of company right now. More than that, I’m sure he wants to get away from me as fast as possible.
With people mingling in and out of the house, it doesn’t help the situation.
“I won’t be long. I just need another minute,” I murmur. I wasn’t in a hurry to hear what Mr. Cohen had to say about the Will. Plus, I should probably get up to the house and help Judy. I’m sure she’s running around offering food and drinks to those standing around waiting to give condolences.
Maybe we should have had the memorial service at the funeral parlor so we wouldn’t have so many people here at the burial site. Then again, it wouldn’t have stopped people from coming here.
The funeral wasn’t small in the least. I swear half the town showed up, though we’d put in the newspaper obituary section that we were only receiving family and friends. Thank God for Judy. I know without asking, she’ll handle whatever dishes are dropped off as she’s been doing since I got here.
I’m personally not looking forward to having to put on a show for those who came by the house, but that’s what I’ll do to get through the day.
“I’ll wait out on the porch for you. Don’t take all day,” he announces and stalks away.
I knew he didn’t like waiting, and my asking for another minute chafed him. He was one for keeping things to a schedule. I was too, only I needed this. I glance around, seeing everyone has already moved on, leaving me alone once more, and I glance down and close my eyes. With a shake of my head, I do my best to keep the tears at bay.
Slowly, I turn around and look to where my grandfather now lies to rest and whisper, “I’ll make you proud, Cornbread Granddaddy. I swear it. I’ll find my way back to me. Even if it’s not here.”
Sucking in a weighted breath, I look back at the house and, with one heel in front of the other, I make my way up to the house and my waiting brother.
I didn’t know what was so pressing with the lawyer that it couldn’t wait until he got back, but I guess we’re about to find out.
Then once this is all over, I’ll end up heading back home to Copper Run. Saddle Ridge wasn’t my home anymore. No matter how much I really wanted it to be. This was all Maddox’s, and I was only a guest.
CHAPTER TWO
Shadow
“How’s it goin’?” Lucifer, my best friend and President of the Fallen Demons, asks me as he plops down in one of the seats at our table here at Rodeo Roundup.
Our club owns this establishment and keeps a table reserved near the far wall with a clear visual of the entire bar.
Some would say it’s strange for an MC to own a place like Rodeo Roundup, but it works for us. Saddle Ridge might be a cowboy town, but it doesn’t mean we don’t get bikers through the area.
Besides, my brothers and I might be bikers, however, we’re all about the cowboy life. The majority of us all grew up in the area, while others came in from other parts surrounding the town.
When it comes to this bar, though, since buying it, I come in here several times a week. Mostly so I can keep an eye on my cousin, Amelia. We have security, to keep things from getting out of hand, but we still need an extra eye from time to time.
Especially when you have a bunch of drunk cowboys in one place. It also doesn’t help that her ex-husband is prone to showing up to give her shit.
