“Little. ’Bout the size of mine at home, I guess, so I didn’t notice.”
Christ. Now Adam felt like an asshole. Like he was lording shit over the kid. “Wanna help me out? I need to see to the horses before we eat.”
“Hell, yes.” Landon bounced up, eager as hell, dragging on his boots. “Those babies are well loved.”
Adam tugged on his clothes. “They are, but it’s nice to have a hand.”
“Well, sure. I swear, when the folks call on me at home, I hear that from them. Sometimes you just need another set of fingers.” Landon kept chattering, the words musical and sing-songy, but damned hard to follow.
Adam listened, all the way through the feeding and grooming and breakfast. Hell, he liked to hear Landon talk. He had no idea how he was going to get along now without hearing it.
“Where you headed next?”
“I think San Antonio. You?”
“I got to get home to Sister, then to Baton Rouge.” Landon rolled his eyes. “I got to get this check home for taxes, then I’m back to working. I… Can I ask you something?”
“Sure you can.” Adam wasn’t sure he wanted to know what Landon had to say.
“Is there something wrong with Jason Scott? I mean, I heard him talk and all, so I know there ain’t nothing wrong with his brain, but he ain’t the kind that needs to be moved down, neither.”
“He’s working on things. He has some vertigo from hitting his head.” That wasn’t a lie, at least.
“That when shit goes all spinny?”
“Yep. Makes it hard to stay on a bull.” To say the least.
“No shit on that.” Landon chewed his bottom lip. “He’s sticking good, though, so it’ll get fixed.”
“It will.” Adam felt a little bad not telling Landon the whole truth, which was just downright silly. Jason’s business wasn’t Adam’s to tell.
“Wish Mr. Sam was all fixed up. Hate seeing someone so low.”
Adam gave Landon a sideways glance. The kid acted like there was nothing wrong at all with Sam, so it surprised Adam to hear it. “He’s better all the time, huh? We’re getting maudlin. Breakfast.” He said it firmly, stroking Landon’s hair back off his face.
“Eggs. Coffee. Grits.” Landon kissed his palm, all smiles again. “Lord, it’s good to know you, Adam, I swear to God.”
Adam couldn’t help but smile back at that expression, his heart lightening despite itself.
“Ditto.”
