Page 13 of Burning Skies
And I think I want that. At least what he has with Paige, not with his ex-wife, who cheated on him and made him miserable.
But first I have to finish renovating my cabin so I can cut back on my hours at the firehouse. Because as a rancher and firefighter, I barely have time to sleep. I definitely don’t have time to date. There’s not a woman in town who would understand my schedule and responsibilities.
Austin pushes the curse jar toward his dad. “Daddy, you said ass.”
Rhett glares at his wife, and she laughs. “Don’t give me that look, Rhett Walker. You told me you wanted to curb your language around the kids.”
With a beleaguered sigh, he reaches into his back pocket, pulls out a buck, and jams it in the already stuffed jar. I point at it. “Should we label this the kids’ college fund? We might have enough in there by then.”
Gabe turns to me. “Do I have to go to college?”
I shrug. “Not if you don’t want to. Depending on what you want to do, you can still make good money without college. But don’t count it out yet. College is a fun four years for a lot of people.” I’m pretty sure Maverick would still be a college kid if he could, though he’s enjoying coaching the high school football team now. “If you wanna work on the ranch, there’s a lot you can learn from your dad.”
“Did you go to college, Uncle Beau?”
“Just took a few community college courses.” Then life happened, and Rhett needed my help, so I never finished my associate’s degree.
Rhett points his fork at me. “But Beau graduated from the Fire Academy and has EMT certification. Plus, he had to pass a bunch of fitness tests.”
I flex my biceps at my nephew, and he chuckles. “Let’s not forget I’m the sucker who takes in all the rescue animals in town.”
Rhett smiles. “Bet you could give Liberty a run for her money.” She’s our brother’s ex, who runs an animal rescue on her property.
“Speaking of Liberty, have you heard from Isaiah? Is he coming home for Mav’s wedding this winter?”
“Zey says he is, but I’m not holding my breath.”
“We’d better make sure Jace has that wedding on his calendar so he doesn’t get double-booked.” Our brother is in an indie rock band, and since he’s gone more and more these days for gigs, I suspect people are starting to realize how good they are.
After dinner, the boys and I ride out to my cabin on our old ATVs. Austin rides with me, and Gabe drives himself. We find the kittens sprawled on my couch, looking right at home.
The little orange one hisses at the boys, so I pick her up andrub behind her ears. “Why the fuss, Fireball?” She curls up on my shoulder and purrs.
If only all women were this easy to please.
As I think back to the way Honey glared at me this afternoon, I resign myself to the fact that she’ll probably always hate me.
3
BEAU
“Sometimes,I feel like my lot in life is shoveling shit,” I mutter to myself. As I finish cleaning out the last stall, the nicker next to me makes me look up. “You disagree, Prometheus?”
My horse nickers again, and I give in. I set down the pitchfork, slide off my gloves, and let him sniff my hand before I give him a good scratch behind the ear. He’s a beautiful black quarter horse that rides like the wind. He nudges me hard, and I smile. “Fine.” I reach into my pocket and pull out a baby carrot. “Just one.”
“Talking to the horses again?” my brother Jace asks as he joins me.
“Hey, stranger. Haven’t seen you in weeks.” I reach over to hug him and scruff his hair. He’s wearing the usual—a faded rock t-shirt and jeans.
“With your demanding schedule at the firehouse and my shows, I guess we’ve been missing each other.”
He’s not wrong. My next shift starts tomorrow. I hand him a carrot for Prometheus. “You killing it out there?” His band has been at it for years. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before they hit it big.
“We’re booked through the spring,” he says as he offers the treat to my horse. “But I just got an earful from Paige about not scheduling anything the week of Maverick and Baylee’s wedding, so don’t worry. I’ve already got that on my calendar.”
I chuckle to myself, loving that our sister-in-law is able to keep our crazy crew in line. I pat his back. “Proud of you, bro. I know it’s a lot of work now, but it’ll pay off.”
“Hope so. I’m tired of living out of a suitcase and eating at crappy rest stops.” He glances around the barn. “Why are you cleaning the stalls?”
