Page 87 of Breaking the Cowboy's Rules

“Three, two, one,” Bowen said and then he heard Beck’s mom calling for them.

“On our way,” Beck shouted back.

Bodhi clinked his plastic bottle of water with his cousins’.

“The Rodeo Bride Game was a pretty good idea I had.”

“It was crazy stupid,” Bowen said without any heat.

“Brilliant.” Bodhi nodded his agreement.

“Whacked. What made you do it?” Beck asked.

Bodhi thought about that for a while. There were so many things he could say. But were any of them able to explain the impossible?

“Love,” he said, looking below where Granddad added a few logs and began to poke the fire back to life. “Desperation.”

“You got hit with a lot this year,” Beck said. “Don’t do it again, shut us out.”

“I won’t. I think Nico would brain me. Or cut me off.” Bodhi laughed. “That would be worse.”

“What are you going to do about having a dad?” Beck asked.

“Not sure. But I need to do something.” Bodhi looked down. His dad was sitting with his mom, talking softly. His mom was staring into the fire, and when she finally did look up, Bodhi thought he saw a glitter of tears. He must be wrong, or maybe it was one more impossible thing in a night full of them.

“Langston doesn’t want to talk to him,” Bowen said. “I’m taking her lead on this. She’s mine to protect, but he’s your dad, Bodhi. You have a right to the relationship, and I’ll help where I can.”

“I don’t know him,” Bodhi said. “Just reputation. But Granddad respects how he’s rebuilt his life, and I believe in second chances and reinvention,” Bodhi said. “I have a sister.” He shook his head. “Regret that dumb nickname I ran with. Should have kicked your creative ass.”

All three of them laughed, and it was relaxed finally. Not so strained.

“I want to try to form a relationship,” Bodhi said decisively. “I hope to help Lang build a bridge as well. Maybe even get my mom to ease my dad into our fold. Family’s the most important thing. Nico’s had a falling-out with her parents. Was never close to her brothers. That’s a lot of bridges to build.” Bodhi hesitated, then a ghost of a smile chased across his face. “Who’s in?”

“Me,” Beck said.

“Always.” Bowen spoke at the same time and squeezed Bodhi’s shoulder. “Get a damn cast on your wrist before you ride again. Don’t think I don’t notice you’re in pain, because I do.”

Bodhi nodded. He felt better. Everything felt aligned in his body in a way that felt new, whole.

As if by accord, they all stood and climbed down the ladder. Nico, Lang, and Ashni had joined the moms and Ben Ballantyne. Ashni’s family was spreading out—her parents and Reeva and John were staying in the cabin, and other family members were staying at the ranch house, bunkhouses or in town.

“Hey.” Nico grabbed his hand as he approached.

“Wife.” He kissed her cheek. “I gotta admit I like the sound of that in a way you will probably find barbaric.”

She laughed. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.

“Granddad, when did you suspect something was up?” Bodhi asked the question that had been niggling at him all night.

“Please,” Bowen’s mom said as she handed out long roasting sticks and marshmallows. “We were all in on it. We started the game.”

“Come again?” Bodhi demanded.

Langston’s dad handed out marshmallows.

“You can sit here,” Langston said softly as her dad passed by. She scooched over so that she was between Bowen’s thighs, leaving room for her father next to her. Bodhi and Nico would be on the other side of him.

He sat down. “Congratulations,” he said to her and Bowen.

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