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“He’d just missed us being buck naked in the water.” My cock stirs at the memory. As does my heart. “Christ, there were plenty of near misses like that. Shoulda pretended to take up fishing as a hobby and brought some rods with us.”
“Oh, we definitely brought our rods. Let them think for us too.” He huffs out a laugh, and it’s contagious. “How long you reckon Wade’s known about us?”
“Good question. Not much gets past him.”
“Who knows how many secrets that man’s got,” Porter muses, and it reminds me how lucky we are to have him. And for so long.
“That’s why I’m trying not to step on his toes when it comes to Randy. He knows the score. Addiction’s no joke. I might be reaching, but that seems likely in Randy’s case.”
“Don’t I know it,” Porter mutters, and I frown because he’s probably thinking about his father and how bad it got with him. He didn’t talk about it often, but when he did, his pain was obvious. The truth is, Porter’s a survivor, though he may not see it that way. It’s one of the things I admire about him. Even if he can be a stubborn ass sometimes.
“So what’s the deal with Randy, anyway?”
“What do you mean?”
“What’s underneath the simmering anger?” he asks around another sip of beer. “Seems he’s had it out for me since I arrived on the ranch.”
I wince. “For one, you seem to have a natural connection with Pixie. He loves her and would never intentionally harm her, but there’s more tension between them now, which isn’t fair to her.”
“Makes sense.” Porter stares off in the distance as if considering his own relationship with his father. “And what’s the other?”
“Huh?”
“You said for one, so there’s got to be more of an explanation than alcohol and envy fueling it.”
“At this point I’m speculating.” I shove a fry in my mouth and chew it as I gather my thoughts. “No way Randy would ever admit it out loud. Sour grapes and all.”
“Admit what?”
“That he can’t give Pixie the one thing she’s always wanted—besides a sober father.”
His eyebrows knit together. “A horse of her own?”
“Bingo! She loves competing—it’s in her blood, same as her grandfather. Mom and Dad encouraged her to use Willow for the events this past spring, and she did well. But competitions require training and money. My parents considered offering her the mare since she’s developed such a bond with Willow, but I talked them out of it. I know a proud man when I see one, and he seems to have a knack for holding grudges.”
Porter averts his eyes, and I wonder if he can relate to Randy—at least in the stubbornness and holding grudges department.
“Randy would’ve crumbled under the upkeep fees and riding schedule. Now that Pixie’s back in school and she’s only around afterward and on the weekends, it takes some of the pressure off him. But the fact remains that Randy doesn’t have the natural ability or temperament to train horses, let alone own one that competes. But he wishes he did. For Pixie.”
“And here I show up at the ranch, and I’m allowed to work with a wild mustang,” Porter replies absently, as if putting all the puzzle pieces together.
“He’s not only jealous of your connection with Pixie, but of your innate skills.”
“Well, damn, when you put it like that, I kinda feel sorry for the guy,” Porter says. “But I’m also not gonna make excuses and stop being who I am just ’cause it gets under his skin.”
“Would never expect you to.” I drain my glass. “Plus, you’ve grown fond of Pixie. We all have and want the best for her.”
Porter doesn’t deny it, only says, “Probably should watch my back, though.”
I grimace. Sure, the men argue and give each other shit, but this is different. “If he comes after you, puts his hands on you, I won’t wait for Wade or my dad. I’ll send him packing.”
He shrugs. “Sometimes a good knock-down-drag-out is necessary. Been in my share of ’em.”
I smirk. “Oh, I’ve heard enough stories to know you have.”
He wipes his hands, then scoots out of the booth. “Gonna use the john.”
While he’s gone, the owner removes our empty plates. I motion toward the small makeshift stage, next to the jukebox with the Out of Order sign on it. “You still showcase live music?”
