Page 54 of The Cowboy's Best Friend

The way it should be, to Zeke’s mind. This was what family was all about.

“But there’s a far more important thing we need to discuss.” Boone looked from one of his parents to the other. “Knox,” he said, and let his mouth curve as he nodded in the direction of his younger brother. “It’s past time he went down, and hard.”

Belinda let loose her most bloodthirsty smile. “Oh,” she assured him, “you can count on that.”

Zeke looked across the beautiful, endless summer day to the place where his youngest son stood. Beer in his hand, and a smile on his face as he held one of his nephews, looking carefree and unbothered and as wholly uncomplicated as it was possible for a member of this family to look.

And really, Zeke almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

The End