Page 18 of Holding The Reins

“Poor fella, wouldn’t want to mess up your Matthew McConaughey-like appearance. You got your Lincoln parked outside?”

I sneak behind Mama Jo and flip him the bird on the way to the bar area for the standard drink of Monday night. Wyatt’s favorite bourbon. It’s the only time I ever have a drink. Once a week, for Wyatt.

“A dollar in the swear boot, Uncle Nash!” Mabel pipes up, pointing to her baby cowboy boot we stuff money into when we cuss in front of her.

“You got eyes in the back of your head? And I didn’t say it, I mimed it, it shouldn’t count.”

“It does!” she squeals. I’m single-handedly making her rich, but I don’t mind one bit.

I stuff a five in the boot that’s already half full, and it’s only Monday.

“That’ll pay me up for the next couple.” I smirk at her.

“Never have kids,” Cole mutters, shaking his head as Wade comes through the back door.

“Mama, fam,” he greets.

“Sergeant,” we all say at almost the same time, which earns a laugh from Mabel.

“Hi, Uncle Wade.”

“Hi, baby.” He kisses her head. Even the Sergeant’s icy heart melts for Mabel.

Harley scrambles for the front door, anticipating people before we even hear them.

“I get what you’re saying, Papa, but we gotta come up with another way to say it,” CeCe says as she swings open the front door.

“Auntie!” Mabel calls as she drops what she’s doing and bounds up to CeCe who is still coming through the front foyer with Jo’s dad, Papa Dean. He’s still spry at seventy-eight, always mischievous and always trying new hobbies. Tonight, he’s carrying his old acoustic guitar with him.

Mabel squeals and lunges into CeCe’s arms before CeCe can even put down her purse and keys.

“My darlin’, ohhh… let me hug you. Look at you, FaceTime doesn’t show me how grown you are. Did you bring your kit to give me a mani? My nails are just awful.” She holds a perfectly manicured hand out for Mabel to view.

“Yeah, I brought some pretty colors. You always wear pink. How about blue?”

CeCe smiles and squeezes Mabel’s chin in her palm.

“You read my mind darlin’, I’ve been wanting blue for a while. After dinner?”

Mabel beams up at her and nods, then skips to the kitchen.

“Can I watch Rosana Pansino on Nana’s computer in the den?” she asks Cole.

“Yes, baby. No headphones, use the speakers,” he directs and she nods, taking off into the other room.

“You gonna play us a song on that guitar, Pop?” Cole chuckles, knocking back a swallow of bourbon.

“I just picked him up from his guitar class at the senior center, his lesson got moved to today.” CeCe stops, looking up at me like she’s making the mental realization that I’m here. Of course I’d be here. Where else would I be?

“Y’all want to hear what my teacher said to me? I think she has the hots for me. She’s a youngin’ too, only seventy.” He grins.

“Papa…” CeCe warns.

Cole smiles wide, even Wade’s interest is piqued as he looks up from pouring his drink.

“I’m invested,” Cole says. “Did she ask you on a date, old fella?”

Papa Dean sets down his guitar and shrugs.

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