Page 71 of Back to Back
“You okay, kid?” Mr. Coke asked him, coming up next to him, looking him over.
“Yessir, Gramps. I got some sore and the hand’s a bitch, but that ain’t nothing.”
“Well, you flew some, so I wanted to make sure.”
Landon got the feeling that Coke wasn’t really talking about working with the bulls.
“I did, but you gotta sometimes, if it’s worth it.”
Mr. Sam smiled at him. “Was it?”
“Yessir. No matter what, I ain’t got regrets.” Even if it was over for real now. He guessed he’d see.
“Good.” Coke went to turn off the hose, and they finished up, all ambling up to the house together. Adam was in the kitchen with Beau and AJ, and his cowboy smiled for him when he came in, those broad shoulders relaxing.
“I found him, Beau, and Gramps, too.”
“Well, lookee there.” Beau bumped hips with Sam, a tiny movement that he’d bet no one else noticed.
Sam did, though, just grinning. Damn, he wanted that kind of life. Wanted someone willing to put himself out there. Landon just didn’t know if Adam ever would. Adam said so, but Landon didn’t have no proof of it.
He held back, letting all the others make themselves some plates.
“You’re gonna miss out on the sausage.” Adam hung back with him, standing close.
“I’d hate that. Beau has the best boudin.”
“He does. I bet your sister makes good stuff.”
Landon nodded. “She’s amazing with a pig. We’re having a roast up to the house soon.”
“Yeah? Beau sending you home a pig?” Adam moved even closer, and he could smell spicy smell-good lotion. Someone had washed up good.
“Uh-huh. To pay for the work I been doing.” He took a deep, deep breath, taking Adam in.
“You do a lot around here, huh?”
“When they need me. I got a good reputation for working hard, being smart ’bout supplies and stuff.”
“And he gets dirty and never bitches. Come eat, Nutbutter.” Beau gave him that look that meant Beau wasn’t playing.
“Yessir.” He gestured to let Adam go first, but Adam surprised him by putting a hand under his elbow and steering him toward the food.
That little connection tingled, buzzed inside him. He tried hard not to bounce. He got him some sausage and eggs, some bread and butter. The grits smelled fine, so he got that, too.
He poured out some coffee, then they all headed outside to eat, everyone sitting around, enjoying the morning sunshine. Adam sat right there, not annoying or nothing, but clearly sitting with him. A tiny spark of hope started blooming in his belly, just a quiet, shining thing.
Hope could be more of a burden than a blessing. It surely could. But he was gonna go for the good.
He had to, didn’t he? Landon had told Adam he lived on faith, and that was what this was about. He’d done prayed on it.
Breakfast was good.Working out in the ring with Jason was good. Hell, the whole day went well, Adam figured, until his brothers showed up. Then things got a touch tense. Oh, no one snarled, but there was lots of sideways glancing. Brian did a lot of frowning. Adam was just waiting to have to kick some ass.
Landon immediately backed up, moving to load cattle behind the make-shift chutes without a word. Adam had been surprised at how easy Landon took to working safety. He’d be great in the ring, and Adam would be happy to sponsor the kid with the league.
Chrissy rode up alongside him. “How’s it going, old man?”
“Good. They did some work yesterday. I got here late, so everyone but us is stiff and sore.”
