Cowboy's Law

by B. A. Tortuga

  “No.” God, what an awful thing to believe. “No, baby girl. Loving you is one of the best things ever.”

  “Promise to God?”

  “I swear it. You know I don’t lie to you guys.”

  “I know. Not ever.” Jordan cuddled into him, leaning on him like there wasn’t anywhere else she wanted to be.

  “So there you go. Stuff happens to every family. Maybe we’ve had some rough times, but it’s nothing we’ve done.” He stroked Jordan’s hair. He was going to have to talk to Dawn—not because he was worried, but because she had to pay attention to what she said.

  Little ears took everything to heart.

  And he needed Dawn to understand, this was not her problem. Not at all. This was a tough life, and so was rodeo, but the kids had no blame. None.

  First, though, he needed to sit with his brave girl and let Jordan know she was safe. Loved.

  Besties.

  The rest could wait.

  26

  Seth made himself stand up and start moving. His body wanted to sit, but he had a ranch, kids, company, and Thanksgiving was zooming up. Law was snarling at the kids, Jordan and Keira were both in tears, and he needed to function.

  He wasn’t a hundred percent sure how he was supposed to do that, but whatever. He’d do it. He had do.

  He made it to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Maybe he’d go to his office and check emails. Maybe.

  He leaned his hands on the counter, panting, his head hanging low.

  The kitchen door opened, a wave of cold air making him cough.

  “Hey, let me put Jordan down on the couch,” Law murmured.

  “She okay?” Seth asked.

  “Feeling a little fragile, I think.” Law chuckled but moved to let Jordan down in the front room before coming back. “What do you need, baby?”

  “I was trying to get coffee and go up to the office.” He wasn’t sure about all them stairs, though.

  “Nope. Coffee yes, office no.” Law steered him back to the front room.

  “I—” He wasn’t going to make it back out to the kitchen.

  Law eased him down. “I’ll get us both a cup.”

  “Thank you.” He leaned back, trying to figure out how he’d ended up back sitting. He’d been trying to be a functional adult, for fuck’s sake.

  “You got it.” Law sounded way less snarly, so that was good, right?

  He listened to Law putter in the kitchen, but he was afraid he’d dozed off when his lover came back in with their coffee.

  Law sat next to him, letting him wake up on his own. “You need to rest, baby.”

  “I want to help you. You’re working your ass off.” He turned carefully to get a kiss.

  Law gave it easily. “I’m okay. I just worry. But Jordan reminded me what’s important.”

  “She’s okay?” This had to be scary for them, Seth knew. These kids had all lost so much.

  “Yeah. She thinks they’re cursed, baby.”

  “Cursed? Which one of the kids said that?”

  “Dawnie.” Law sighed. “I bet she was being a smart-ass, but Jordan heard her, and she was sad.”

  Oh, he wasn’t so sure about that. “She’s the one that’s most convinced God’s out to get her.”

  “Yeah?” Law raised an eyebrow. “I can talk to her.”

  “Maybe you can get to her, let her understand shit happens.”

  “We’ll see, huh? Uh, I should tell you, some of my Army buddies are coming in for Thanksgiving.” Law looked a little worried.

  “Yeah? The more the merrier. I guess I need to make a grocery run soon, huh?” God, that sounded like hell.

  “I’ll let Wiley and Mandy go. That will tickle him to death since he had to do dog duty.” Law grinned. “Man, he’s feeling put-upon.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.” Law took his hand and held on. “You’re not cleared to drive, baby. You’re stuck with me for a while.”

  Like that was the worst thing on earth.

  Law was the best thing to happen to him since Pistol and the kids, and that was saying something. A lot.

  “So glad to be home, but I hate being lazy.”

  “You’re not.” Law’s thumb drew circles on his hand. “Healing takes a hell of a lot of energy.”

  “That it does. This one seems a bit different, a little longer.”

  “They say the older you get…” Law’s grin widened, then faded. “Seriously, this was multiple injuries. You got to be patient.”

  “I’m trying. I just want to… be useful.”

  “Mmmm. I’ll let you give me a slow hand job tonight.” Law winked broadly at him.

  Oh, wicked love. “You don’t want to fuck my mouth?”

  “I do, but we need to work up to that.” That had to be Law’s way of saying how unsexy a coughing fit was.

  “Man, at least act like you’re aching for it, huh?” He knew he was in the running for the least-sexy man alive right now. He was black-and-blue, stitched up, broken, and raw.

  “Baby, I need you like I need air. But I would never hurt you for the world.” Law stroked his hand, then reached up to cup his cheek. “Soon, huh?”

  “Not soon enough. I’m ready to be all better. I’m ready to be home.”

  “Well, home you are. Ready to be up and about, no.” Law gave him another kiss, just as Jordan yawned and came to snuggle up to his side, still sound asleep.

  “I am home. Thank God. I love it here with you. I loved it before, but now? Damn, man.”

  “Yeah?” Law’s cheeks flushed. “I love you.”

  “Good.” That made things a world easier. Now if he only felt better.

  “Drink some coffee, baby. I’ll get you some food. Eggs and toast?”

  “Do you mind? I’d surely appreciate it.”

  “Not one bit. You snuggle with the champion Lego builder.” Law kissed him gently, then headed off.

  He put one arm around Jordan and yawned. “Love you, baby girl.”

  “Love you.” Jordan carefully patted a place with no stitches. “Wanna watch toons?”

  “Always. I love toons.”

  “Cool. Everyone has been snappy, Uncle. Even Sister.” Jordan got him the remote.

  “Everyone has been tired. It’s going to get better.” He smiled over. “Sister’s just worried. You know she loves you best.”

  “Okay.” Jordan was so warm.

  “We’re going to have Thanksgiving and then decorate for Christmas. It’s going to be amazing, I promise.”

  “I’m glad you’re home. If there are no presents, I get it.” Jordan held his hand, yawning.

  “Santa will come, baby. I swear it.” Sweet, dear, weird, wonderful girl.

  “Santa’s a nice guy.” Jordan was soon asleep again. Poor baby had to be stressed.

  “Hey, Uncle. Got the dogs all taken care of. Can I go out?”

  “I think Law wants you to stop at the store.” Seth blinked at Wiley. Had he fallen asleep again?

  “Yeah? I can do that. You okay? You look a little dizzy.”

  “I’m fine, tired.”

  “Uncle Law is bringing you food? I heard him in the kitchen.” Wiley came to put a pillow behind his back.

  “He said something about eggs, I think.” But he wasn’t sure, not really.

  “Cool. I’ll get a list from him before I go.” Wiley gave him a surprise hug, super gentle. “Do you feel cursed, Uncle? Really?”

  “Me? I feel like a cowboy, son. I’m no more cursed than anyone. You know that.”

  “Yeah. Dawnie had me thinking too much.” Wiley grinned. “Okay, holler if you need me. My phone is all charged.”

  “You got it. Get a list from Law, huh?”

  “On it.” Wiley ducked into the kitchen, and not long after, Law appeared with a couple of plates.

  “Food. Thanks for sending Wiley to me.”

  “Thanks for the eggs. I knew you’d mentioned it.”

  “I did, and he would have slipped rig
ht out the door.” Law winked. “Want some, Jordan?” Look who was awake.

  “Is there enough? I know Uncle needs his food too.”

  “I made us a plate too.”

  Yeah, there was a pile of food. Extra toast too.

  Like he’d even manage half of what was intended for him. He didn’t have a bit of room in his stomach right now.

  “Oooh, toast.” Bethany came in to sit on the floor, then grabbed a piece.

  “Hey, baby girl. You having a good day?”

  “Glorious. I started a new book today that my teacher gave me, and…” She started explaining to them all, and he listened without hearing, just soaking it all in.

  “Babe. Food.” Law offered him his plate.

  He nibbled, knowing he had to, but he still had some to feed to the dogs.

  “Uncle Law, you have company coming?” Bethany asked. “Are they staying in the casita?”

  “Is there anyone else out there right now?” Law grinned a little. “That would be the best place for those hooligans, but they can camp anywhere.”

  “Win and Horse are up at Pistol’s. Frank is staying with Bonner.” Bethany grinned. “If I clean the casita, can I make ten dollars, Uncle? Christmas is coming.”

  “That’s fair enough.” Mercenary girl. “You can do the sheets and everything, right?”

  “Sure. I’ll make it nice.”

  “That’s my girl.” He winked, and she chuckled, grabbing one more piece of toast.

  “Who all’s coming, Law? You said your buddy, Hunter?” He wasn’t sure he remembered how many guys were showing.

  “Well.” Law pulled a face. “Hunter says he’s bringing three, but we’ll see who actually shows.”

  “It’s nice to have lots of company at the holidays. Lots to give thanks for.” He handed Bethany his plate when she offered to take it.

  “Yeah.” There was something he thought maybe Law didn’t want to say in front of the kids. Seth wondered about it idly but didn’t follow the thought too far. He was just enjoying them being right here.

  Keira wandered through. “Are there more eggs?”

  Law nodded. “In the microwave, baby girl.”

  “Can I have them?”

  “Of course you can. Do you need help?”

  “I’ll get them for her.” Bethany took their plates to the kitchen, leading Keira out.

  “Such good kids.” He blinked over at Law. “I’m going to be able to help with things soon.”

  “You’re helping now. The kids were scared and missing you.”

  “I was missing them.” He hadn’t felt well enough to be scared, not yet.

  Maybe next week.

  Then again, maybe he would just bypass that and feel better. He didn’t have enough sense to be scared, after all, or so he’d been told.

  More than once.

  “I bet. Man, we got to make a shopping list. I know Hunter will want layer salad, and lots of it. One of the boys he’s bringing is a Yan—is from New England. Should we make a cranberry pie?”

  “Do they make cranberry pie?”

  “I saw a recipe for one called Nantucket pie on Pinterest.” Law kinda bounced, and Seth bit back a grin. His man did love to cook.

  “I love cranberries.” Pinterest? Really? He wasn’t sure what that even was.

  “Well then, that gives me reason to try it. I’ll make extra dressing too.” Law wrinkled his nose. “No sausage, though.”

  “Sausage balls, though? For breakfast?” He loved those things with a fiery burning passion.

  “God yes. But none in the dressing. Or seafood.” Law made a little gagging sound, which had Jordan giggling.

  “I have had seafood sausage. It’s… not my thing.” He liked shrimps, a lot. Especially barbecue ones.

  “Oh, you innocent. An Army buddy of mine made me eat dressing with oysters and Italian sausage in it once.”

  Oh, now. That wasn’t right. “In dressing?” He shook his head. “I don’t think I can manage that. I’d try, for you, but—”

  “Nope. Nasty. Nas-ty. We all have our thing, but it didn’t work for me.”

  “I like pineapple dressing, though,” Jordan murmured. “Is that okay?”

  “It is,” Law said. “You could like anything. I just don’t need to like it too, huh?”

  “Yeah, but do you like it?”

  “Pineapple dressing comes at Eastertime, Jordan.” He had never heard of it before Pistol, but apparently it was a family dish that was way more like bread pudding than dressing.

  “It does. And I do actually love it. I’ll make it at Easter.” Law fist-bumped Jordan.

  Seth leaned back and grinned, loving the words at Easter from Law’s lips.

  That was a long-term kind of thing. God, it made him a little dizzy.

  Maybe it was the drugs.

  Nah, it was love.

  He grinned, and Law glanced at him, this amazing smile lighting up his face. “Hey, you.”

  Damn, you’re beautiful.

  Seth had it so bad.

  “Hey. Well, I might need a nap, but then I can sit up with you and make lists. Real ones. I think I zoned on you in the hospital.”

  “Sounds perfect, baby. It really does.” Law leaned over and kissed him. “The guys will be here for supper. I’m making tamale pie. Does that work for you?”

  He nodded. If it didn’t, he’d have a peanut butter sandwich. It wasn’t like he was hungry.

  “Cool. That pillow in the right place?”

  Law was about to go get to doing, he could tell. So he took that big hand in his. “Sit with me until I fall asleep?”

  It may be a pussy thing to ask, but he needed it.

  “You got it, baby.” Law held on, warm against him, Jordan on the other side, even breaths lulling him.

  “Love y’all.” He let his eyes close, let himself melt.

  He would just have to get up and be useful when he’d recovered a little more.

  27

  Law looked around at the kitchen and dining room. Okay, that was as good as it got. Bethany had earned twenty-five doing the casita and helping him here, and Dawnie had done the bathrooms and the front room.

  They were as ready as they were going to be for tornado Hunter. God knew, he missed his battle buddies, but the whole bunch of them were stressed-out, and they had cowboys there, and…

  God.

  “Dude, Uncle Law, you’re going to pass out.” Dawnie handed him a glass of water.

  “I haven’t seen most of these guys since I got hurt. Only Hunter.” That was the truth, and it had never occurred to him. Would they think less of him? “So glad we have you guys.”

  “Are they mean to you? I know boys are rough, but…”

  “Well, there’s one I wish Hunter wasn’t bringing, but I can see why he had to invite the guy.” He chuckled. “I guess I’m nervous. That seems like a whole other life now.”

  “Yeah. Do you miss it bad? I mean, we must be boring after all that.”

  “I thought I would.” He reached out for her, and she took his hand automatically. “You guys make me happy. I love it here.”

  “Me too. Wiley can’t wait to go to college and see things. Me? This is home.”

  “Yeah? Well, you sure have a way with the horses. And you’ll see a lot on the circuit, I bet.” He squeezed her fingers. She could do what she wanted. He wasn’t going to push her to go to college.

  “I will, but I’ll always come home. This is my place.” Had he ever been so sure? He’d bet Seth had been, in his own way. She sure hadn’t learned it from Pistol.

  Law had always been out there, hunting something, searching for something, or generally being busy. Now he knew what home felt like.

  “Law! Law, Wind brought us donuts!” Jordan bounced in with a chocolate ring around her lips.

  “Did he? Oh, I like those.”

  “Uh-huh. Three whole boxes!”

  He was going to kick Win’s ass.

  “Well, you know not to have too
many, right?” He gave Jordan “The Look,” which he was perfecting.

  “They’re for your company, mostly.” Win came stomping in, knocking the snow off. “I reckoned that and coffee would soothe your soldiers.”

  “Thanks, man.” He grinned at Win. “Jordan can put away some donuts, so be aware.”

  “You want them on the fridge?”

  Okay, maybe he wouldn’t kick too hard. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

  Horse came in, Keira under one arm, Bethany under the other. “Did you know your man was outside on the porch asleep?”

  “Nope.” It was snowing. What the hell? Law hustled out to see what on earth Seth was doing, and at least he was all bundled up in a quilt.

  Seth was sawing logs, facing out toward the pasture, hat pulled down. Crazy bastard.

  Law grinned. “Babe? The boys brought donuts.” Maybe they had the crullers. Those would tempt too-skinny Seth.

  “Mmm… any tractor-tire ones?” Seth blinked awake. “Hey. I was watching the horses.”

  “I think they got all kinds.” He was hedging, but he had no idea. “Want me to bring some out, or you coming in?”

  “I’ll come in. I got down here and was being lazy.”

  “Nah. You were being home.” He just didn’t want the cold to settle in those poor lungs. They were fragile right now, and he knew it. And he wanted the shattered ribs solid before anyone coughed.

  “I was.” Seth let Law help him up. “Look at that snow coming down.”

  “I know. The guys will be over the moon. They’re all looking forward to a real holiday.”

  “Well, we’ll have that. Our real holiday together.”

  “We will.” Law kissed that sweet mouth, which was cold. “Inside for some tea.”

  “Sounds good to me. We should have a fire tonight, huh? I… Am I allowed to be… I mean, do they know about us?”

  “They do.” Law’s lips pressed into a hard line. “And anyone who has an issue can move right along. Though to be fair, Hunter is gay, and I think Nickel is too. Harries and Trainor, I got no idea. They’re like buddies who snuggle…”

  “So long as I can touch you, that’s all I care about. I just wouldn’t embarrass you for anything.”

  “I’m not ever going back in the closet, babe. You’re mine.” Law hugged Seth to him, warming him up on the way inside.