“I sure as fuck don’t.”
Bishop rounded the corner with his horse, Titan, in tow. The name suited him perfectly. The blue roan was massive, at least seventeen hands tall, with a broad chest. He matched his rider in personality, ornery as hell with a stick up their asses.
Sundance’s head shot up, her eyes wide when she saw the stallion come into view. “She’s got it bad for him,” I said, patting her neck.
It was taking everything I had to stop myself from jumping down Doug’s throat for more information. What would he want me to do? Bishop was his second in command, and that wouldn’t change. I could be another helping hand, but was it worth it?
If I said yes, I’d have to move from Tennessee to Texas. Four months ago, that wouldn’t have been an issue, but with Frank’s death it became a lot more complicated.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Bishop grunted, bringing me back to the present. “I’m just glad you’re here to put her to work, or else I’d have to listen to her fuss about being left behind.”
“Sundance just knows quality when she sees it,” Doug added, stepping back as Bishop and I led our horses into their stall. There was a small window laid into their shared wall, letting them nuzzle the shit out of each other. “Ain’t that right, girl?”
As if on cue, Sundance let out a shrill whinny we all took as agreement.
Bishop shook his head, the ghost of a smile peeking under his cowboy hat. “Lovesick fools,” he muttered.
“One day, you’ll meet a girl who’ll get you so damn twisted inside,” Doug said, clapping him on the shoulder. “And boy, I can’t wait to watch you eat your damn words.”
“Never gonna happen,” Bishop said, shrugging out of Doug’s hold. “What time’s dinner?”
“Seven on the dot, just like every other Friday for the past twenty-plus years,” Doug said, narrowing his eyes at a car coming up the drive.
Bishop stepped up beside him. “Expecting anyone?”
Doug didn’t answer as he walked toward the approaching vehicle with Bishop and me close behind. The make was too rich for my blood, and it certainly stuck out like a sore thumb when it pulled in next to Bishop’s beat-up Dodge.
Two men in suits stepped out, the older raising his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. His voice was gruff as he called out to Doug in greeting. I couldn’t make out their faces from here, but they seemed strangely familiar.
“Aw, hell,” Bishop said. “Fucking hate this guy.”
“Why?” I asked, my voice low.
But my question was answered as the main house door opened, and Josie stepped outside. Her brows were knittedtogether in confusion as she walked to the end of the drive. “Ellis? What’re you doing here?” she asked.
“Your dad invited us,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Said it’d been too long since we’d come out.”
Josie met my gaze over his shoulder. I probably should have excused myself and headed back to the bunk cabin I was sharing with three other guys, but I didn’t.
“Because he’s a fucking tool. Comes from big money and acts like it,” Bishop said, spitting at his boots. “Charles is alright, but I don’t know what Josie sees in Ellis.”
It’s not your business, Lincoln. Not your fucking business.
“How long have they been together?” I asked, unable to stop myself. I’d never thought to ask Josie the same.
“I dunno,” he said. “Couple of months, maybe? He isn’t around much. Josie says his work keeps him busy, but that seems like a load of shit if you ask me. I think he doesn’t like driving his fancy-as-shit car down the dirt roads.”
I laughed, earning Josie’s stare as we stepped up beside Doug. “Ellis, Charlie… Glad you could make it,” he said, sticking his hand out in greeting.
Ellis took it. “Thank you for the invite, Doug. I’m honored to attend a legendary Hayes family dinner.”
“Fuckin’ brownnoser,” I muttered, and Bishop laughed.
Josie gave him a half smile. “Oh, I didn’t think you’d want to. You said you didn’t like the drive.”
Bishop snorted. “Fucking called it,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Don’t mention it,” Doug said, waving it off. “Hope you brought your appetite, though. These girls have been cooking up a real storm all afternoon.”
