I finish cleaning and stretch my back. It’s a little sore, but I’ll never admit that out loud. I’ll take it easy for a few days after the grout is done and be fine.
“How’s Payton and Wacey?” I ask Knox as I sit across the table from him. His brother-in-law, Logan, died in an accident not long ago. It was hard on the whole family, me included. Logan and I spent a lot of time together working on vehicles. He was a great guy, and we all miss him, but no one more than Payton and Wacey.
“They’re . . . still struggling, which is to be expected. She hasn’t said much to me—you know Payton. She is a list person. She functions on order, and this has been anything but. You just can’t predict something like this, and no one knows how to navigate it. She’s grieving and a single parent now. I wish I could do more, but she practically kicked Kacey and me out, sending us back to Colorado.”
“And Wacey?”
“He’s quiet. Only spoke when spoken to, and it felt like it was getting worse right before we left. A grief counselor told Payton it would get better, that he just needs time. My mom told me Payton also started seeing a grief counselor last week, too, which is good.”
“For sure. I hope they can help him. I love that little kid.”
“Yeah, me too.” He huffs, clearly worried for them. “Did you see that new bull Burning T Rodeo Company has been bucking?”
I nod. “I did. I’d kill to get on him at the finals.”
“Same. Wade Taylor has put together a hell of a pen of bulls this season.”
Our conversation moves on to other subjects, including the upcoming rodeo season, some of the young bulls we’ve seen over the winter, and which ones we’d like to get on. I can’t wait to be back on the road where I belong.
Thunk.
The front door closes, and Jessie rounds the corner a moment later. She pauses at the edge of the kitchen, her ring-covered hands propped on her hips, head tilted, as she inspects the tile.
“Well?” I hesitantly ask.
“This looks so much better than that nasty green tile.” A small smile crosses her face before she wipes it away. But it’s enough.
I physically relax. I hadn’t realized how nervous I’d been until seeing her reaction.
“Good. I’m not just a pro at riding bulls, turns out. I’m also a pro at tile.” I give her my crooked grin that makes her blush.
Knox scoffs and mumbles, “One TikTok video does not make you a pro.”
I clench my jaw as I discreetly give him a look, silently communicating, “shut the fuck up.” If this woman finds out I tore out that floor with zero idea how to fix it, I have a feeling she wouldn’t kick me out, she’d end my life. Thankfully, Jessie doesn’t hear him from across the room.
“You’re also a pro at self-confidence. You should start your own seminar.”
“You really think so? I think I’d be a great public speaker.”
“No,” she says flatly, “but thank you for improving what you destroyed. Not going to lie, I was half expecting to come home to the cabinets torn out and acompletelynaked kitchen.”
Knox laughs.
“Whose side are you on here?” I demand.
“Hey, I’m not on any side. I’m just grunt labor, remember?”
I gesture at Knox with my thumb and look at Jessie. “He’s my manservant.”
She rolls her eyes.
I turn back to Knox. “Don’t you have a girlfriend you need to get home to?”
“Nope, she’s working.” He smiles, enjoying the show. Then, he snaps his fingers. “Barbra, was that her name?”
Now I point at the door. “Thanks for your help. Please leave now.”
Knox throws his head back laughing, then stands and heads out the door.
