“What about Colt? You left him off your roll call of people who wanna get the hell away from me and my stubborn ways.”
Cord snorted. “Colt gives a shit about two things: pu**y and booze. He’ll be the obedient son doin’ whatever you say as long as ranching don’t interfere with his afterhours pursuits.”
Because Colt was easier to work with than Cord, it was also easier to ignore the similarities he saw between Colt and himself.
“I work my ass off. For years I’ve been tryin’ to prove I’m worthy of the almighty Carson McKay’s stamp of approval. But I’m never gonna get it. So I’m done.”
“Done what? Done for the day?”
“No, done for good. Jesus, Dad. Half the time you don’t even bother to listen to me. I think you suffer from old timer’s disease.”
“Old timer’s?” Incensed about the low blow, Carson snapped, “I’m fifty-two years old and a long goddamn ways from old timer’s. Just because what I tell you ain’t what you wanna hear don’t mean I’m some foolish old man rambling about nothin’.”
“Well you can ramble on to someone who gives a shit. As of tomorrow, that ain’t me. I’m gone.”
“Yeah? Where you goin’?”
“I’ll know when I get there. But it’ll be a long way from here.” Cord took off his gloves and threw them on the ground before he stormed off. Then his truck tires spit gravel as he tore off. Again.
Carson didn’t say anything. He just hung up his tack and brushed down his horse. Then to calm himself down and clear his head, he set about straightening the tack room. Carter popped in to let him know he’d finished chores.
He had no idea how long he’d been in the barn until Carolyn showed up. “You missed supper.”
“Sorry. Not really hungry.”
“Carson, honey, what’s going on? Keely tracked you down and said you were throwing stuff and swearing so she ran the other way.”
He said just one word: “Cord.”
“Ah. That’s why he took off like the hounds of hell were on his boot heels.”
“Yeah, well that fits since he all but called me the devil himself.”
That’s when she moved in and wrapped her arms around him. She didn’t say anything, she always knew what he needed, even just a simple touch. Immediately everything was better in his world.
She kissed the side of his neck and purred, “Mmm. Dust and sweat and cowboy. My favorite.”
“I’m a little more ripe than usual.” From angry sweat—not that he’d tell her that. Then again, she probably already knew.
“Come inside. Once you get scrubbed clean let’s see how dirty we can get.”
Carson lifted an eyebrow. “On a Tuesday night with the kids home?”
She shrugged. “Why not? It’s not like they’ll notice.”
Great plan. Things hadn’t been spontaneous between them in a while… His eyes narrowed. “Hey. Wait a second. Is this a pity f**k? You tryin’ to take my mind off me’n Cord havin’ words?”
“Maybe. Besides, don’t you always say a f**k is a f**k? And be honest, you won’t be thinking about anything else when your dick is in my mouth.”
He smacked her butt and she yelped. “Sugar, I love that dirty mouth of yours. Now march that fine ass of yours up to the bedroom.”
The next day Cord hadn’t shown up to work, which left him to do everything by himself since Carter and Keely were both in school. By the time he’d returned home, he’d found his wife staring aimlessly out the window. The breakfast dishes still in the sink, the house a bit messy; she always tidied up after Carter and Keely left.
“Caro? What’s wrong?”
Without facing him, she said, “Cord is gone.”
His gut clenched. “What?”
“He stopped to say goodbye.” Her voice broke on a sob. He went to her to pull her into his arms but she waved him off. “Don’t.”
“What did he say?”
“That he’d had enough. He needed to find his own way. Find a way not to hate you.”
That knocked the breath from his lungs. He reached for the back of the dining room chair to keep himself from passing out. He couldn’t believe it’d come to this. That he and his son couldn’t work this out. Carson figured Cord would go on a bender for a couple of days and things would go back to normal. That’s what he’d done when his old man had pissed him off.
And how did that go for you? How many years did you spend resenting your father until you realized the man wasn’t half the idiot you’d made him out to be?
“Cord told me what’s been going on.”
Carolyn’s voice was quiet and controlled.
“I want you to know that I’m not taking sides. But to be honest, I don’t want to hear your side. I thought—maybe I should say I hoped—that because you dealt with this very thing with your own father over the years, that you’d handle it differently when it came to your sons.”
The silent, unspoken accusation lingered between them. He’d been married to this woman long enough that he knew what she was thinking, almost as if he was inside her head.
You swore to me you’d never have the kind of relationship with your children that you had with your father. And when the boys were growing up, you were there for them, teaching them, encouraging them. But as soon as Cord decided he wanted to ranch with you, you’ve slowly turned into that man. Nitpicking everything he says or does. Rarely listening to his ideas. Reminding him you’re in charge and he’d better fall in line. And I’ve seen you acting the same way with Colton. How long before you chase him away too?