Page 39 of A Cowboy in the Streets

“Tell me what you think. I’ll take all the advice I can get. All I care about is making things good for Ben.”

God. The way this man loved his son would kick anyone’s ovaries into baby-making mode.

“It doesn’t have to be fraught, you know,” I said. “Tell him you haven’t had time to go through the pictures with him, but you’ll do it when you get back from the rodeo. It will buy you some time to think about what you want to say—which doesn’t have to be much, you know. A story or two about her from before he was born. Something sweet or silly.” I fully realized I was avoiding saying her name again. I didn’t want a repeat of the hand flinch. Men weren’t the only cowards, apparently.

He nodded slowly. “That’s good. I can do that.”

“Of course you can.”

“Okay. I’m going to find him and then pack.” He nodded again, like he was trying to convince himself. “Meet me at the big house in an hour?”

I had a lot of questions about our rodeo trip, but what I led with was “Just you and me?” Like that was the important part.

“Just you and me. Brax wants us out there, showing people who matter that you’re at Lodestar Ranch now. Networking.” He spat the word like it tasted bad. “He had business cards made for you. We have to swing by his office in town on the way out. He booked us rooms at the Marriot.”

“Okay.” I couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across my face. “I love rodeos. This will be great.”

“Yeah. Great,” he repeated flatly.

I cocked my head, taking him in. The purple halfmoons under his eyes. The heavy down-tilt of his mouth. The way his shoulders bunched up to his ears.

The man was tired. Exhausted.

It couldn’t be easy, running a ranch, being a single dad, and taking care of his own dad on top of all that. And then Deacon showing up three days ago with a box full of ugly memories? That had to keep him up at night. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be human.

A weekend rodeo probably seemed like one more thing he had to soldier through. I hated that for him. Sure, we were going there for work, but rodeos were fun! Only a week ago, he had told me he missed the fun of ranch work, the kind he used to have before his mom died. This was a chance for us to get away from the regular grind of barn chores and have a good time. And maybe, for Adam, to get some much-needed rest.

“How long is the drive?” I asked.

“Three hours.”

His lips were already forming the next words, but I got there first.

“I’ll drive.”

Chapter 16

James

James

We’re swinging by Jo’s on our way to Colorado Springs. Do me a favor. When we order coffee, make Adam’s decaf.

Chloe

Decaf?! That’s a violation of the Barista’s Oath, babe.

James

Just do it.

Chloe

Fine. But in return, I want you to do something for me.

James

What's that?

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