Page 94

Oh, that was nice. He hummed, letting himself enjoy it. Sweet, with that pecan flavor underneath.

Tank winked, which made it even sweeter.

“I like it.”A lot.

He had to wonder how it would be, tasting Tank with maple syrup rubbed up on….Stop it. Just be nice.

Dalton put that thought away for now. They would pull it back out later. Alone.

He’d bet Tank would let him try.

Tank seemed open to a lot of things Dalton thought of as naughty. Rocket would have called him a dirty boy and meant it….

Good thing they wasn’t together no more, wasn’t it? The voice in his head was about as rednecky as they came.

Fuck that bastard, and the noise Rocket had put in his head.

Tank leaned close. “You okay? You got all tense. Buick don’t mean any harm.”

“I’m fine as frog hair. Just a ghost trampling over my grave.”

“Uh-huh.” Tank nudged him with the closest elbow. “I got your back. You know that, right?”

“Yessir. I know.” He knew. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew.

“Okay. Just making sure.”

Patricia came around with more coffee, and talk turned to rodeo.

The bull riders joined in, and then a few riders that were camping close by came in, a couple three drovers from the ranch. He felt like now he was home, laughing and poking fun, the scents of food and coffee everywhere.

This was what he loved most, aside from being on horseback. This life. And Tank was right there. It was a dream.

When Pops and Uncle Roy came in, that made it perfect.

“Hey, boys!” Pops raised a hand, smiling. “Miss Patty! Good morning!”

“Coffee and pancakes, Denver?”

“Yes, ma’am. Missus kicked me out.”

“She’s cooking. I’ll bring food—tamales, enchiladas.”

“I know you will, lady. I can’t wait.” Pops kissed Patricia’s cheek.

“My turn!” Uncle Roy grabbed her and kissed her playfully, making Patty laugh.

She smacked his chest. “Pancakes, old man?”

“Old? You wound me. Add some bacon.”

“You got it.” She mouthed turkey bacon at them before disappearing into the kitchen. Pops and Roy took the table on the other side of them from Buick and the guys.

“Hail, hail, the gang’s all here.” He sipped his coffee, nodded to Pops. “We’re going to head to the house after we buy groceries.”

“Good. Pick me up some Twinkies.” Pops pulled out his wallet, handed over the ten he pulled out.

“Momma will fuss.” He’d do it anyway, of course.