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“His grandfather doesn’t have the time to teach him,” his mother interrupted. “Can you imagine, Vic? My heart just breaks for the boy. All he wants is to ride in the cattle drive, but since he has no one to teach him, that’s not going to happen now, is it?” She shook her head, making that face his father found impossible to resist. Brody knew. He’d seen her in action before. And her performances, while rare, were absolutely stunning. “So our son steps in and offers to help him. And you know what Cal said?” She sniffed, blinking rapidly. “He says, ‘I can surprise my papa so he’ll be proud of me.’ Can you imagine?”
Brody stared. He’d told his mother an abridged version of the story, but to hear his mother tell it, she was right in the middle of it. And it was working. His father could be a cantankerous old coot, but he put his grandchildren first. As far as he was concerned, all men with grandchildren were obligated to do the same. His mother was using his father’s weakness and playing the trump card—Woodrow Boone.
His father cleared his throat, instantly softening. “The boy said that?”
His parents both looked at him for confirmation. “He did,” he agreed. It was the truth—even if his mother hadn’t been the one to hear it.
His father’s sigh was long and loud. “Where’s the boy’s father?” he asked, no longer bearing Cal any ill will.
“No daddy,” Amberleigh said, shaking her head. “Cal. India. Tanner.”
Brody stared at his daughter, stunned by the amount of words she’d just spoken. But Cal was important to his daughter. And, since they were talking about him, it made sense that she had something to add.
“No daddy?” his father repeated, clearing his throat again.
Brody caught his father’s eye and shook his head, not wanting to share India’s secret about her ex but needing his father to understand. It was better Cal’s father wasn’t in the picture.
His father’s nod was stiff. “So he’s left with his ma, a dog and a granddad who won’t show him how to ride a horse.”
Brody knew he had more than that. Cal was the sort of child who made friends wherever he went. And, even if Woodrow Boone was a pain in the ass, the rest of his family undoubtedly fawned over the boy.
“A dog that saved our granddaughters,” his mother added. “Maybe even lost an eye doing it. Come help me get juice together for the girls, Vic.”
Brody ran a hand over his face. She was up to something, but unless he wanted to call her on it, there wasn’t much he could do about it. His parents left him with the girls.
“You two listen to Nana, okay?” he said. “If she says you’re up for it, I’ll stop and get you some ice cream on my way home. What kind?”
“Pink,” Suellen said. “Please.”
“I want brown and white.” Marilyn smiled. “Or pink.”
Brody laughed, running a hand over their foreheads. They’d had a few ear infections in the past. Their pediatrician had suggested tubes. He wasn’t fond of the idea, but he sure hated seeing the girls laid up like this.
“Sorry,” Amberleigh said, alternating pats between her sisters.
His parents emerged. His mother carried juice cups and a bottle of pain medicine for the girls. She wore a sympathetic smile, clucking and cooing as she gave them each a dose of sticky purple liquid to help fight their fever.
“Go?” Amberleigh asked, so excited she was practically bouncing.
“I’m ready.” He nodded, glancing at his father. His father...wore an odd expression on his face. An expression Brody had never seen before.
“Vic.” His mother nudged his father.
“What? Yes, all right, all right, Ramona.” His father seemed to shake off whatever thoughts he’d been pondering so intently. “I’m going. Come on, Amberleigh. Let’s get ready. You’ll keep your boots on?”
Amberleigh nodded, sliding off her bed and running to her closet.
“I wanna go,” Suellen cried.
“Me, too,” Marilyn added, sniffing.
“We’ll go again real soon,” he promised, kissing their foreheads. “Right now you need to rest and feel better.”
“You drink some juice and we’ll watch the princess movie—with the swan. It’s your favorite,” his mother said. “You three go on. We’ll be fine.”
Brody scooped up Amberleigh and led his father from the girls’ bedroom to the back door.
“It’s a fine day for a ride,” his father said, his eyes sweeping the clear blue sky.
