“Ah, you’re the one who woke me up. How’d you sleep, squirt?” I change her diaper and head to the kitchen to make her some breakfast. Rhett and Paige are having coffee. “Morning.”
Rhett holds up his cup. “Didn’t expect to see you so early.”
“I have to feed Layla, but I thought I’d check in with you. See what you need.” Because that’s what you do when you’re a Walker. You show up without being asked.
He nods. “Could use some help mending fences if you’ve got the time.” Rhett leans over and grabs a stack of mail. “This is for you.”
I spot the return address from our family law attorney. “Do we have a court date yet?”
“No. Family court is backed up, but that top doc grants you temporary guardianship. Keep it with you in case you have to take Layla to the doctor.”
Paige sets down a huge plate of waffles, and I cut one up for my daughter. My sister-in-law leans over me to grab Layla’shand. “I can watch Layla today so you and Rhett can work. She’ll have fun with Ella.”
My niece is clinging to her mother’s leg. “Hey, baby. How you doing?” Ella holds out her arms and I lift her onto my lap, next to Layla.
“I ate wuffles,” Ella says as she checks out the plate in front of me.
“I can see that. You’re all sticky.”
She grins and hugs Layla, who puts up with it.
Paige crouches next to her daughter. “Gentle, Ella.”
“I am gentul,” she says, an annoyed frown on her face.
I bounce the toddlers in my lap. “You sure Layla won’t be too much? She’s starting to walk, and she can crawl hella fast now.”
Paige wipes her daughter’s face. “I can handle it. Besides, I miss my niece.”
Rhett motions to the kids. “Mav wants to have baby races. See which of our kids is the fastest. He thinks Leo will win, but he doesn’t appreciate Ella’s determination to be as tough as the boys.”
“Baby races, huh?” I lean down to Layla and whisper, “When you can run, we gotta talk about this.” ’Cause my money’s on my kid.
Rhett’s sons, Austin and Gabe, join us, scarfing down breakfast like we’re gonna run out of food.
Before long, we’re getting our horses saddled up in the barn. Never thought I’d miss the smell of horses and hay, but here we are.
I get my horse Dreamer out of his stall, and he nudges me hard before he nickers. “Sorry it’s been a long time, buddy. But I know Beau’s spoiling you with treats and long rides, so don’t act all high and mighty.”
Beau and Isaiah join us, but Beau takes the boys to work on irrigation while Rhett, Isaiah, and I mend fences.
As we ride to the pasture Rhett needs to check, he nods at me. “What are your plans for the time you’re home?”
“Wanted to help out a little. And I have to write, if that’s okay.” Because I’m nowhere near ready for the recording studio.
“Whatever you need. You don’t gotta ask.” He runs his hand down his beard. “I figured my famous little brother had more important things to do than fix fences.”
Shaking my head, I chuckle. “Nothing’s more important than that.”
“Sure did love your concert last night. I was so fucking proud of you.”
“Thanks, bro.”
“Gotta confess, got a little choked up when you sang that song.”
Smiling, I look down. “Thanks for keeping me outta jail.”
He chuckles and tips his cowboy hat at me.
