“Jason’s looking good, though. Solid.”
“He is. He took a knock yesterday and popped right back up.”
“I heard the little Cajun flew off a horse onto the bull.”
“His name is Landon.” He gave Chrissy a sideways glance.
“Uh-huh. He’s still tinier than Beau.”
So was Jase, but no one called him ‘the little Texan’. Well, Andy Baxter called Jason Mini, but they were fucking and all. Adam figured, if anyone got to pick another nickname for Landon, it ought to be him.
“Just a brotherly warning to be nice, Chris.” He put his big brother voice behind the words, showing he meant it.
One near-white eyebrow winged up. “It’s like that, is it?”
“It is.” Adam nodded firmly. No more waffling or denying.
“Huh. Good on you.” Chris’ lips quirked. “He’s still a little Cajun.”
Adam shook his head. “What’s crawled up Bri’s ass, man?” Brian had been avoiding them all, keeping his head down and working.
“I don’t know. Him and Momma, they got into a big old fight even. Momma threw a bowl of cereal at him and told him to get out. Granny’s worried.”
Well, shit. Brian was usually damned sunny in disposition. Lately he’d been like a bear with a sore paw. Maybe Adam would poke him some. If Momma and Granny were taking after him, it was definitely something going on outside of the family.
“You two finished gabbing?” Bri pulled up, glaring at them equally. “What’s up?”
“Adam’s hooked up with the little Cajun again.”
Bri opened his mouth, and Adam held up a hand. “You’d best be careful, bro.”
“What is it with you and Cajuns, man?” Brian grumped.
Chrissy snorted. “It’s bone deep with him. Landon seems to like him.”
“You’re a suck-up, baby brother.”
“Hell, no. But I don’t see anything wrong with Adam being happy.” Chrissy jutted his chin right out. Oh, they were fixing to snarl. Adam could smell it like rain coming in the desert.
Coke came up. “I think Jase is done. He’s starting to make stupid mistakes.”
Bri nodded curtly and reined off, leaving Adam and Chris and Coke staring. “What’s with him?” Coke asked.
Adam shrugged with Chris, one movement, two sets of shoulders. “Not sure.”
“Sucks. Maybe he’s got a burr under his saddle.” Coke winked at them.
“Something’s going on with him. We’ll figure it.” He and Chris climbed out of their saddles, walking out the horses.
Landon came up, quiet, damn near still. “Y’all need any help ’fore I get to work?”
“You want to take Maisey around, honey?” Adam handed over his mare. “She seems to be favoring a foreleg.”
Landon frowned and took her, straight-away. “Oh, now. You got a hitch in your get-along? Come now, ma cher needs you solid beneath him, like a stone.”
They watched Landon lead Maisey toward Beau’s barn, and Adam had to smile. She nibbled Landon’s hand, tail swishing. Happy girl.
“Bubba. You don’t really think he can talk to them…”
