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They’d both played football and baseball in high school. Sawyer was more into it than J.T. had been. He’d mainly play to give himself something to do. There weren’t a lot of activities in Castle Springs for the young people. And most of them left when they got out of school. If you didn’t have a family run business or come from one of the ranches, the options were limited. Going to college or finding a job in a bigger town was the way out.
When they finished the chilidogs, it was time to visit the beer tent. As J.T. and Sawyer walked into the huge canvas tent open on the front side, J.T. stopped when he saw Freddy Pierson manning the bar.
“Shit. I forgot it was the White Buffalo’s year to run the beer tent.”
“Come on. It’s just your ex-girlfriend’s dad. No big deal.”
“Right. The man who crosses the street if he sees me walking toward him.”
Sawyer patted J.T.’s shoulder. “Take a seat. I’ll get the beer.”
“No. I can handle it.” They approached the bar and J.T. nodded at Freddy. “Mr. Pierson.”
“J.T.” He nodded at Sawyer. “What can I get you boys?”
J.T. looked at the chalk board behind Freddy. There were two choices. Draft beer or bottled beer. Five-fifty for either one. “Two of whatever you have on draft.”
“Coming right up.” Freddy left to pour their beers.
Sawyer nudged J.T. “See, no problem.”
“Hmm. He makes me feel like I’m sixteen again. I’m surprised he didn’t ask for our I.D. just to mess with me.”
Freddy returned with the beers and set them down on the counter. “Eleven dollars.”
J.T. took a ten and a five from his wallet. “Thanks.” As he picked up the two beers and handed one to Sawyer, a young boy with sandy brown hair ran toward the bar.
“Papa!”
Freddy broke into a smile and came around the end of the bar to pick up the child. J.T. looked at Sawyer, then glanced back to where the boy had come from. He was surprised to see Joey standing there. He handed his beer to Sawyer, then walked over to her.
She gave him a small smile and wouldn’t meet his eyes. “J.T.”
He looked back at Freddy, who was still holding the boy. “Don’t tell me your dad has a young wife at home, too.”
She shook her head. “No. Finn isn’t my brother.” She sighed and finally looked at him. “He’s my son.”
J.T. was momentarily speechless but finally managed to get out, “Okay.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Isn’t that something you should’ve mentioned to me?”
He saw fire in her green eyes as she took a defensive stance, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why? I’m sure you haven’t shared everything you’ve been up to over the last six years.”
“No. You’re right. I haven’t.” He looked at the child again, who was now sitting on a barstool. “But it’s a kid. You have a kid. That’s something most people would mention. Even just amicable neighbors.”
She shrugged. “Well, you know now.”
He looked at her for a moment and she relaxed a little. “Where has he been?”
“With my mother in Boise. But he’s here now and we’re moving into the house this week.”
“Is there a husband or an ex-husband to go along with the kid?”
“No. There’s just the two of us. And that’s all there’s ever been.”
“Well, there had to be someone else involved for at least a little while.”
She tensed up again, but didn’t respond to his comment.
J.T. motioned toward the table Sawyer was sitting at. “My beer’s getting warm.”
