Page 91 of Sheltering His Second Chance

“Well hell, look what the cat finally drug in.” Blue strode up the aisle, wearing a grin that put Carter on the defense. “It’s a bright, sunshiny day.”

“Try not to be too perky, bro. My head is killing me.” He gave Blue a side-glance then grabbed the gear to saddle up Zeus. “You’re lucky I’m even here after last night.”

“We tried to wake you up to join the tagging party, but Ma said if we did, she’d skin our hides. Apparently, she thinks you deserved to sleep in.” He chuckled.

“Ma has a good head on her shoulders. What the hell did you do to me last night?” Carter groaned.

“You blaming your drunk ass on us?” Blue looked slightly offended.

“You all insisted we celebrate my birthday last night. Tagging ain’t no fun even on a good day.” He focused on the task of putting the saddle on, hoping the painkillers would help soon.

“I feel sorry for you—almost. You look like shit though, buddy.” Blue took his own horse from the stall.

“Where did you go last night? You left early. Did you get lucky? Onmybirthday?” Carter teased, but Blue’s tight expression seemed apprehensive.

“None of your business.”

He didn’t feel up to pressuring Blue.

Uncapping the thermos, Carter gulped the strong black coffee, not caring that it scalded his tongue. “I haven’t had a hangover like this ever.”

“Whatever it was has also scrambled your brain. Have you checked your phone this morning?” Blue’s grin returned.

“What are you talking about?”

“Just sayin’. Take a look.”

Reaching for his phone from his back pocket, he didn’t get very far before he heard his Ma’s booming voice coming from the open doorway. He stopped and craned his neck around the stall. “What the hell?”

“Carter Dawson? Where are you?”

He cringed. He recognized the annoyed tone. Now what had he done?

“Is that you back there?” she asked when she entered the barn.

“Maybe. Depending on what I did.”

He met Blue’s questioning gaze, who simply shrugged and mouthed, “No clue.”

Candy stomped through the barn and came to a halt in front of him, her hands on her full hips, glaring with piercing grey eyes. “I have a bone to pick with you, son.”

“Ma, I have a headache.”

“After I’m finished it’s only going to be worse,” she warned.

“I’ll leave you two alone. I have work to do.” Blue took a step toward the exit.

“Don’t you dare move.” Candy pointed at him. “I have a feeling you and your brothers had something to do with this. I just got a call from Serena Claytor.”

“I’d be angry if I got a call from that busybody too.” Carter chuckled but his Ma’s pinched expression made him sober up in record time.

“You won’t believe what she told me, but again, you probably would because you’ve been keeping a secret.” She held a kitchen rag that she strangled in her white-knuckled fists. “I couldn’t believe my ears.” Her round cheeks turned pink. “When did you plan on telling me, son?”

Carter searched his fuzzy brain, but came up empty. “If I knew what you were talking about, I might be able to defend myself.” Now he wished he’d been faster in getting Zeus saddled and out in the pasture. He’d take the heavy pounding of hooves over the lecture he felt was hovering just on the horizon.

She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out her phone, drumming away at the screen with her forefinger. It was interesting that she only knew how to use the cell when it suited her. “Here it is.” She swung the phone toward him, tapping the toe of her practical shoe impatiently. “Read this.”

“Ma, I don’t have time for this—” He read the first sentence to the story.Social media influencer, Gianna Mosley, announces her engagement to mysterious cowboy, Carter Dawson.His mouth went dry. His palms clammy. His stomach turned inside out.

---