Page 32 of Cowboy Needed

“I bet you would hate it,” Ichabod teased. “You’re very grounded, not to be ironic. Tied to the land.”

He chuckled, because it was true. “That was why I couldn’t be a rodeo man. I sucked at hauling my shit all over. I have to do it enough as a ranch man.”

“Well, maybe this can be something long-term for you.” Ichabod said it with is eyes on his beer bottle, his voice real casual like.

“I’d love that, honey. As long as y’all are here.”

“Well, until Chrissy kicks me out in sixteen years and she has a quorum from her brothers and sister, I’ll be here.” Ichabod smiled at him. “I’d like it, if you were here too.”

“I think I would too.” He clinked his beer bottle against Ichabod’s, grateful as hell that he hadn’t fucked this up. He’d been pretty damn worried.

“Hey, Dad?”

Ichabod glanced up at Zane, who was looming. “Whatcha need?”

“A ride to town later? I want to meet some friends at the coffee shop.”

“Friends?”

“Yeah, there’s a bunch of us on Insta. I want to meet before school.”

“Okay. From when to when?”

“They’ll be there from six to ten…”

“Okay. We can do that. Maybe you could go from like, six thirty to eight if you like them? That way I can get the girls to bed on time. Are we talking Aspen or Snowmass Village?”

“Aspen.” Zane grinned. “I know it’s a pain, but?—”

“Hey, you asked. I’m super pleased. Does that work?”

“Yeah, that would be cool.” Zane’s cheeks went a little pink. “I mean, not too early so I look like a dork, but not too late for everyone else.”

“That’s what we’ll do then.”

“Thanks, Dad. You rock.”

Ichabod winked. “Cool. I’ll take everyone else to go have ice cream.”

“Yeah? Okay, cool.” Zane grinned, looking relieved. “Thanks, Dad.”

Dad, not Ichabod, Ellis noticed. Nice.

Ichabod put the rest of his beer down, unfinished. Impressive, given that they wouldn’t leave for four hours.

“You’re coming for ice cream, right, Ellis?”

“Oh, uh.” Should he say yes? He wanted to, but would that be weird for Zane?

“Don’t feel pressured, but you’re welcome. I’ll drop Zane off so he’s not mortified.”

“Oh, I would love to go, honey. I wanted to be sure it’s okay with Zane. So cool. I love me some ice cream.” He set his beer aside too. He would buy some more tomorrow.

“Ice cream?” The little girls had some good hearing, dammit. They came wandering up like two stray kitties.

“After a bath, a nap, and supper, you lot.” Ichabod winked, beaming.

Chrissy slumped to the ground. “All thems?”