Page 67 of Piece Of Me

“Okay, let’s get at it.” Taz pulled on his barn boots, and they started their day.

It was early afternoon when they finished up their chores; it always took longer with the girls. They liked to sing and dance while they worked, and the chatter was constant. Most of the time Taz was able to filter it out, but today he needed it. His mind was on things he had no control over. Earlier he’d received a message from Scarlett. It was short and sweet.

I’ll drop by later.

There was no context. He didn’t know if it was good or bad and Taz was a man who got shit done. It killed him that he wasn’t involved in whatever the hell was going down with her ex.

“Daddy, look at me!” He tucked away any thoughts of Scarlett and headed for the swings. He was just wondering what to do for dinner when his mother showed up. She wandered over to him and the girls and watched the twins as they swung higher and higher, their giggles like musical notes.

“Gammy watch!”

“I am.”

“We can touch the sky,” Ryan shouted.

“Just like the angels,” Cameron said.

“You’re a good dad,” his mom spoke quietly. “In spite of their loss, they’re missing nothing. You’ve given them a home most folks only dream of.”

“Ranching makes it easy.”

“No,” she said turning to him. “You make it easy.”

After another ten minutes or so of swinging, he sent the girls inside to wash up for dinner and looked at his mother. “I’m surprised to see you today. Thought you had church.”

“I did.”

He knew she always went for lunch with her friends and lately, she would head up to the cabin to see Manley afterward.

“I wanted to check on you.”

“Consider me checked, but you don’t need to.”

“I’m your mother and it’s what we do.”

“I’m a big boy,” he replied dryly.

“Big boys still get booboos.” She paused. “Have you heard from Scarlett today?”

He nodded.

“And?”

“Mom, do we really have to do this?” A weird look crossed her face, and already amped up and frustrated, he stared her down. “You drove out here to say something. So, say it.”

Martha walked over to the swings and perched on the edge of one of them. She seemed to be considering her words.

“Don’t sugarcoat,” Taz said. “It’s not what we do. We’re always upfront and honest.”

“How serious are you and Scarlett? I know you’ve spent a lot of time with her and her son, and the barbecue was to bring both families together, but…”

He raised an eyebrow and waited, his mood taking a turn and not for the better. “But?”

“You have the girls to think about, Taz.”

“What in hell is that supposed to mean?” Surprised at his mother, he turned in a circle and stared up at the blue sky in an effort to get hold of his anger. “You just told me I was doing a good job.”

“You are. You’re the best kind of father there is.” Martha hopped off of the swing but kept her distance. “All I’m saying is that?—”

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