Sam chuckled. “He’s a dog.”
“Woof.” They both laughed, good and hard, and the sound drew Beau right on outside, grinning at them.
“Hey, you two. Supper’s almost on.”
“Smells like etoufée.” Please be etoufée.
“It is. I was going to start some for later, but Grandmère was reading my mind and making it anyway.”
“Oh, yum. I don’t get that at home as much as I like.” He held up his hand. “Your Grandmère still about? I got something that needs doctoring bad.”
“In the kitchen.” Beau jerked his head toward the big open room in the back with all the new appliances Beau had bought for his Grandmère after the big win last season.
“Thank you, sir.” He headed into the big old kitchen that smelled of all good things—cayenne and shrimps and peppers and leather and cowboy.
Adam. Oh, he couldn’t smell the man over all the food, but he was right there, sitting in the corner, one of Dillon and Mr. Coke’s pups on his lap.
Damn, there wasn’t nothing on earth as fine as that man. Lean and long, with eyes like lasers and the best smile. The man was rubbing basset ears, and Landon knew how strong and hot those hands were.
No staring, Landon. None. Adam didn’t think a thing of him, didn’t need him. “Grandmère? You up to some doctoring?”
“Sure, chou. Just let me wash my hands.”
“Merci.” He kissed her cheek. “You lookin’ lovely, girl. You been dealin’ with M’sr Lucifer for to stay so young?”
“Vraiment.” She winked at him, patting his arm. Her wrinkled face lit up when she grinned so she looked like an apple carving. She took his hand over to the sink and started soaking the handkerchief off. “Lawd, there’s some blood. Bébé, get me kerosene and some spider webs from the porch.”
“Sure, Grandmère.” Beau went and gathered up all the stuff and Granny set to fixing him up.
He heard someone ask, “Spider webs? Is she serious? That’s goo from a bug’s butt.”
“Everybody knows spider webs keep a cut closed.” Granny gave everyone the stink eye, then went back to work on him. She poured the kerosene over the cut, cleaning it out, then she started packing it with the web.
Landon grunted. Whoo. Kerosene. That did burn like fire. Not as bad as that red stuff from when he was a kid. Maw-maw had loved that stuff.
“It don’t sting.”
“Yes, ma’am.” All women said that. Landon knew better. Ouch.
“Okay. I’ll wrap it with a tea towel. I’ll come to visit it tomorrow.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“I made you etoufée, chou. I hear you like it.”
Now, that was what he wanted to hear. “I love it, me.”
“I’ll spoon you up a bowl.” She bustled to the stove, pulling him up a dipper of rice and a ladle of etoufée.
When he looked around, everyone was busy suddenly, like they’d all been watching him get patched up.
Adam, though, just sat there, still watching him, bold as brass. Landon took the bowl from Beau’s Grandmère, kissed her temple in thanks. “Bless you.”
Then he took his supper back outside where there were fewer eyes to see him eat it. He didn’t need to feel any more like a freak than he did. Of course, Dillon and Mr. Coke came out and sat with him, which blew that idea right out of the swamp water.
“Y’all.” He smiled, nodded as they settled, trying not to be nervous. They’d been right nice to him these last months.
“Hey, kiddo.” It might be that Dillon couldn’t remember his name, but he thought Dillon just called all the young riders that.
