Page 6 of Rodeo Cowboy
She turns to guide them away but stops as a tight circle of people create a barrier around us.
Chapter Two
SAMMY
––––––––
“GRANDDAD, THERE WASan urgent message left on my voicemail that you were in the hospital and I ought to come home ASAP.” My fingers clutch the material of Ayla’s dress.
“I’m healthy as a horse.” My granddad’s posture is slightly stooped, and he leans heavily on his cane, but that isn’t anything new. “I pulled a groin muscle, was all. In and out of the clinic in an afternoon.”
I shoot a questioning look at my ma. She disregards the blatant lie she left on my machine and wraps her arms around me.
“I’m so glad you’re home.”
“I’m not home. We’re staying a few nights at the Walker ranch, but we aren’t staying.”
Her body stiffens against mine, but she doesn’t let her disappointment show. She leans back and smiles at Ayla.
“I’m Lillian Wilde, and that over there is Sammy’s father, Calvin.”
My pa glowers at me. My ma continues to name all my brothers and their better halves as if Ayla will remember. I have a big family.
“It’s nice to meet y’all. My name is Ayla.”
“May I?” My ma holds out her arms to my wife.
“Of course.”
They hug quickly before my ma checks out the three kids in tow. “Who do we have here?”
“These are my nieces and nephew,” Ayla says proudly, but I catch the uncertainty creep into her voice. Involving the kids had never been the plan. Hell, I hadn’t even wanted Ayla to fill them in, but she’s not like me. She doesn’t keep secrets or lie.
“Bode Benton, ma’am.” The little guy lifts his New Year’s hat off his head and gives a curt nod.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bode.” My ma lifts her cowboy hat and nods.
