“Okay,” she calls and Waylon’s crying stops.
I step outside and shut the door behind me before answering.“Talk to me, Rhett.”
“All business today, I see.”
“I got a woman, a baby, and a chicken pot pie waiting on me, so unless you have good news, I’m all business.”
“Where’d you get a woman and baby?”Rhett asks, though I know he’s likely heard the gossip about me and Daisy.He has already admitted to reading the “Report”.I bet he’s even accumulated a “top fan” badge.
“Your mama’s house,” I say.“You gonna be able to make it to Christmas, Son?”
Rhett chuckles darkly.“Oh, so we’re a comedian today too, huh?Guess everything is coming up roses for Winchester.”
“Alright, asshole.So what’s this news?”
“That, I can’t tell you over the phone.But dinner sounds great.I’ll be at your door in say ...five minutes?”
“You dog, you’re already on the property?”
“Thought I better call ahead to make sure I wasn’t walking in on you and our head cheerleader trying to add to your baby situation.”
“Sneaky son of a bitch.”
“See you in a bit.”
I don’t even have time to warn Daisy that company is coming before Rhett’s cruiser is pulling up outside.I walk across the drive to greet him, and to save him from being accosted by Ham—who loves to fuck with strange men and do what bulls do best; bully them.
“Hey, West.”Rhett is sandwiched against his vehicle, with Ham eyeballing him and displaying dominance by growling low and pawing the ground.He’s all show, though I don’t really want Rhett to know that just yet.“Wanna call off your attack dog?”
“Not really.What did you have to tell me?”
“Hamburger Ferdinand Winchester,” Daisy calls from behind me, using his full name, including the middle name she’d given to Ham not long after she moved in.“You leave Rhett alone.”
He turns his head and bellows at her, the bull equivalent of a typical teenage, “But Mom” reply.
“Ham,” she chastises again, and the beast backs up several steps before tossing his head and trotting over to his ball to sulk.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Come on in, Rhett, he won’t chase you.”
“Much,” I reply with a smug grin.I’ve seen this man face down the toughest of ranchers without even blinking an eye.Hell, he’s completed two tours of Afghanistan, killed enemies, and come back bruised but his confidence unshaken.Yet, he was going to let a harmless little bull be his undoing.
“It’s good to see you, Rhett.”
“You too, Miss Daisy.Though, I gotta ask why I’m seeing you here with this guy?”He hooks a thumb at me.“By the way, thanks for your help, asshole.”
“What can I say.”Daisy shrugs.“I always was a sucker for a man in a cowboy hat.”
“Perhaps I should draw your attention to exhibit A,” Rhett says, tipping the brim of his TSCRA-issued one.I shove my friend.Ham bellows and tosses his ball with his nose, beckoning us to come play.
Daisy laughs.“You haven’t changed a bit since high school.”
At that, Rhett’s smile darkens.His eyes turn mercurial and for a beat, he’s no longer standing on my porch.
It’s clear Daisy doesn’t know what to say.“Oh, shoot.I gotta get back inside to supper.Rhett, you eaten yet?”
“No, ma’am.”
