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“Sure, babe. Go, get a shower because you still stink.”
Mortified, he pulled his robe away from his chest and sniffed. “Coffee, please, for when I’m done.”
After Theo ran from the room, Danny giggled. “Hope there’s hot water. Javi got in after me.”
“He could use a cold one,” I said, laughing.
Danny sipped some coffee and leaned over to me, “About…this house.”
I stiffened, worried they’d tell us that we, Tucker and Dale, would have to clear out. “Oh?”
“Now, Theo’s got money, but it’s his. My dad wanted to maybe give it to him outright. But…”
I was elated, as we’d both come to love the house. “Anything. Well, within reason.”
“Theo cannot, and I mean ever, want into the family business again. Besides watching out for Brett and Ryan, we also made a deal with the Carrillos. He’s an unknown, they said, and wasn’t trusted, not after he tried to shoot someone.”
I relaxed and laughed. “Thank God.”
“You’re not upset? Will he be?”
“No. I think we’re fine with our quiet life here. I swear, Danny, and thank you. If you want compensation for the house, I have some savings…”
“No. If Theo can be corralled, have at it. He’s taken care of here, so that’s all I needed to know.”
“Tell him before you leave, and maybe…be kind to him. He is trying to change.”
Danny shook my hand. “I can see that. I love my family. I was kept from them most of my life, and having him closer would mean a lot to me.”
When everyone was up, had eaten, and showered, Javi and Danny were ready to leave, and we’d follow them out on the way to Burke’s. For the first time, I didn’t have to check all the exits, the cameras, and the way out before we left because of worry of Theo walking out the door to trouble.
“Feels good, being free,” I told him as I held his hand to the car.
“Don’t say that too loud,” he whispered. “We’re the only ones free right now.”
The fact he thought of others, it floored me. I doubted a month ago; he would have thought of that.
On the way to Burke’s, I watched in my rear view how Brett and Ryan stared out of the window, their eyes drinking in all the sights of their little taste of being free. I felt for them, but I also formulated a plan. I didn’t say anything, as I didn’t know if it would work.
When we got to Burke’s, he greeted us on the porch, Joel behind him, head behind his hat. Theo went to him, hugging him as I introduced Ryan and Brett to Burke without using their names. “Sorry, but ginger and blue eyes, here, are…”
“In hiding? Got that. It’s fine, and it’s nice to meet you, Ginger, and Blue Eyes. My other partner, Damon, is riding on one of the horses, but this is Joel. Joel, say hello.”
Theo held him around the shoulders. “He’s shy around strangers.”
“I understand,” Ryan said. “It’s okay, Joel, and It’s nice to meet you.”
He waved and raised his head enough to show his eyes for a split second, then hid behind the hat again. Burke chuckled. “Good try, baby. Well, everyone, would you like to see the club? That’s usually what everyone seems curious about.”
“I told them about it, but it has to be seen to be appreciated,” I told Burke. After we give them a tour, maybe let them tour the property independently. They’ve been in a more confined area for a while. They could use the stroll, and while they’re there, I’ll formally resign.”
“Sure, no problem. We have thirty-five acres to explore. Even we haven’t hiked the whole thing.” He leaned into me and whispered, “Sorry to see you go, but I do get it.”
Once he opened the barn doors, Burke waved a hand for us to enter. “Welcome to Cowpokes. If you’re…around, you’re invited to the next weekend.”
“Thank you,” Ryan said to Burke as Brett rushed in with Theo and Joel.
Joel pulled them over to see the mural, as he did with everyone Burke had told me. “He loves that thing. I think it’s because he looks like a he-man in it.”
