Page 26 of Piece Of Me

“I’ll work with her when I can. She’ll be fine.”

“How did your meetings go last week?” His mother’s question was asked lightly, but he knew she was more interested than she cared to be. Not surprising considering it was her brother he’d been dealing with. The Temple family had some history, no doubt about it, and the fact that they were Texas oil royalty meant things got messy now and again. Last week was messy.

“It was fine,” he said after a bit. “Uncle Wes and I have come to an understanding. He keeps his son’s sticky fingers out of the family pie, or I’ll cut them off.”

Martha eyed him questioningly, but he kissed the top of her head. “It’s all good, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” He checked his watch and frowned, realizing it was nearly two in the afternoon.

“Something wrong?” his mother asked.

“Did the girls have showers at your place?”

“Sure did. They were playing in mud puddles before I had time to feed them breakfast.” Martha grinned. “I just let ’em play.”

“Good. One less thing for me to worry about.” He moved toward the house. “You coming in or…”

“No, I’ve got to run. I’m meeting some of the girls in a couple hours. We’re heading to Bozeman for dinner.” She called the twins over and gave them each a hug and kiss goodbye, and then planted one last kiss on his cheek. “What about you?” she asked, watching him a little too closely for his liking.

“What about me?”

“Just wondering what you’re up to this evening.”

“I’m taking the twins to the carnival in Big Bend.”

“They’ll like that.” She paused, and he wasn’t keen on the look in her eyes. “You going on your own?”

“I’m a big boy, Ma, I can do this on my own.”

“That’s not what I?—”

“I know exactly what you meant,” he interrupted with a chuckle.

Martha opened her mouth to say something, then obviously thought better of it. She blew a kiss to the girls, and with one last glance at her son climbed into her car. A few minutes later she disappeared down the lane.

Taz jogged over to the barn. He had a quick word with Lance, a local kid who fed all his barn animals on weekends when Taz, or his ranch manager Rich wasn’t around. Once he was sure the teen knew to keep his distance from the new mare and her colt, he herded the girls inside. He grabbed a quick shower and by three o’clock was on his way to Big Bend.

The carnival was at the park, but he headed for the Sundowner first. Once there he parked by the entrance and sent Millie Sue a text. It didn’t take long for her to appear, and though she struggled to hop up into his truck, she refused help. Once she was settled with her seatbelt in place, she exhaled and glanced at him.

“It’s hot as hell out there,” she said. “And I’m too big for this.”

“Auntie that’s a bad word,” Cameron said from the back.

“Don’t pay her no mind girls,” Taz said with a chuckle. “She’s growing a baby. She’s allowed.”

“Can I say the F word when I’m growing a baby?” Ryan asked.

Taz was afraid to ask what the F word was. “Honey, you can do whatever you want when you’re growing a baby.”

“Yay! I want to grow a baby next week.”

He almost choked. “You can’t grow a baby until you’re married.”

“But Chelsea’s sister isn’t married and she’s growing a baby.”

Millie Sue hid a grin. “You have to be in love, Ryan.”

The little girl scrunched up her face. “Like Barbie loves Ken?”

“Yes.”

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