Page 22 of Covering the Cowboy (Cowboy Wanted #3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

“ D addy!” Paige came running to the car from the school, her pigtails swinging. “ There you are.”

“Here I am.” Dallas had gone to a doctor’s appointment this afternoon, getting out of school early. His allergies were acting up now that school had been back in session for a few days, so he was picking up Paige and taking her by the coffee place for a hot chocolate. “How’s it going?”

“Okay. It was library day, and we played hopscotch in PE. I liked it.” She hopped into the back of the truck and got in her car seat. “You?”

“I worked on a saddle all morning, and now here I am to take you to hot choccie.” That was Dal’s word for it these days.

“Ooh. Perfect. I like that. Are you gay?”

“Huh?” Where had that come from? And so matter of fact, too.

“Eliza at school, she said you were gay. Are you gay?”

He paused, gathering his thoughts. This was important, and he needed to get it right.

“Yeah. I am.” There. Bisexual was a little complicated for her at this age. He and Kayla had discussed that over coffee one afternoon after she’d gone to champion Paige at with the 4-H leaders.

She was a solid friend, and he was discovering that he was beginning to fit in, find his community here.

“Okay…” It took her a second, and then she asked. “What’s gay?”

“It means I love your Poppy.” That was easy. So easy. “So if a man and a woman are together, they call it straight. But if a man and a man are in love, or a woman and a woman, they call it gay.”

“Oh. Okay. So, are we having spaghettis for supper or tacos? Is Dallas going to have to get a shot?”

“I think he probably is, and noodles will be easier on him. That way if he wants his with butter, he can do that.” Okay. Just whoosh. God, he loved this kid.

“Oh, then noodles. And a cookie. He needs a cookie. Poor Dal…”

His phone rang, AJ’s name coming up. “Hey, honey. How’d he do?”

“He’s very brave. He needed a breathing treatment. We’re heading home now.”

“We’re getting a hot chocolate, then we’ll head your way.”

“Okay, babe.”

“Give him a gentle hug for me.” Poor baby. “Paige wants to bring him a cookie.”

“That’s great. He can put that away for later. Nothing milky, though.”

“Got it.”

“What are we doing for supper, or is tonight the night you’re going to play wingman for Kayla?”

He chuckled. “No. That’s Thursday. Tonight it’s noodles and maybe Coco since Dal is feeling so poorly.” Disney always did the trick .

“Ah. Right. I don’t have the calendar in front of me. I’ve got sprint club that evening, so it’s perfect.”

“She’s so nervous. Karaoke. Why did I agree to that?” he asked.

“Because you’re a good friend. And she’s a hoot.” AJ chuckled softly. “I should have Ford and Stoney go and take video.”

“I will beat you.” He wouldn’t, but…

“Daddy doesn’t beat anyone,” Paige called. “He’s not vibolent!”

He heard Dallas’s soft giggle over the phone.

“You’re right, baby girl,” AJ said. “Okay, noodles then?”

“Yes, sir. And garlic bread. We have stuff for?—”

“No salad, Poppy. Green beans.”

“Green beans. We totally have green beans.”

He laughed. “Green bings it is.”

“Ooooh.” That was Paige. “Good call, Dal. Did you know our dads are gay?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded.

“You didn’t ask.”

He heard AJ’s sharp bark of laughter, and he knew they would be discussing this after supper. They always had so much to talk about with the kids.

“Enjoy your choccie, babe. I’ll see you at home. I’ll feed the dogs, the chickens, and the cat.”

“Thanks, love. I’ll do the rest when I get there. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Love you, Daddy! Love you, Paige!”

Paige waved as if they could see her. “Love you, Dal and Poppy!”

He hung up and headed for the coffee shop. He would get something decadent for AJ too. To go.

Kyler was suddenly eager to get home to the rest of his family.

“Can we get choccie in a paper cup, Daddy? Dal had a hard day and I want to see him.”

Sounded like his girl felt the same way. That was what he’d hoped for. “Sure, kiddo. We’ll get everyone something and head home.”

“Cool.” She kicked her feet and sang a little song.

Lord, when he’d started building his house in Aspen, he’d had no idea it was going to turn into the place where everything he loved was safe and sound and waiting for him.

Thank God Austin and Dallas had wanted a cowboy for their very own.