Cowboy Lullaby. Sasha Summers

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       Chapter Two

      Tandy washed every dish in Lynnie’s kitchen. She cleaned out the refrigerator and swept and mopped the floor. She was hiding. She knew it and she didn’t care. Until her cousins were ready to go, this was where she would stay. Cleaning was how she processed.

      And dammit, she had so much to process.

      She’d known seeing Click would be hard. But their past had nothing to do with losing Lynnie. And then... Today had been beyond expectation. He...he was a father.

      Fourteen months.

      If her heart hadn’t already been shredded, this would have done it.

      She’d told him to move on. And he had.

      Wasted no time.

      Fourteen months. Their time together hadn’t been as special as she’d thought—to him anyway. He’d waited, what, weeks? That baby was evidence of that. She’d been catatonic, consumed by sadness. And guilt—guilt that chipped away what was left of her heart.

      He’d been in bed with someone—

      She couldn’t think about it, couldn’t stand it. It hurt. Deep, raw and angry.

      “You’re exhausting,” Renata said, having planted herself on a kitchen stool seconds before.

      Tandy smiled, rinsing out the sponge.

      “I say we go get drunk,” Renata said. “It’s the only option.”

      Tandy shot her a look. “How do you figure that?”

      “My brain can’t stop spinning. I can only imagine what’s going through yours.” Renata’s blue eyes met hers.

      She was pretty sure alcohol wasn’t going to fix a thing. Still, she knew her heart wasn’t the only one hurting right now. “Scarlett’s okay with it?” she asked.

      “She will be.” Renata winked.

      Tandy shook her head and carried the mop bucket out the back screen door, letting it slam behind her. Poor Scarlett—she’d have no say-so in their plans for the evening. But spending a night chatting with Uncle Woodrow and Aunt Evelyn wasn’t Tandy’s ideal way to unwind. She was too wound up. They’d only make it worse. Maybe a drink or two wasn’t a bad idea. Anything to help her forget for a while.

      Banshee jumped up from his place on the deck, pushing his massive head under her hand. She patted him, dumped the dirty water out and leaned against the railing, gasping for breath. The past was over and done with. She had no right to feel anything. None. So her anger was a shock. But she was. Really angry.

      Worse, she hurt.

      I’m done hurting over the past.

      Banshee head-butted her hand, groaning in the back of his throat. She rubbed behind his ear, his silky fur calming her. A little.

      Fourteen months? Fourteen months. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. Didn’t want to.

      “Is that Tandy Boone?”

      Tandy jumped, spinning on her heel. “Brody?” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I didn’t know you were here. Last I heard, you were wheeling and dealing in Dallas, or something.”

      “Just got here. Nothing like a funeral to get people together again.” Brody Wallace’s hug was warm. “I make the trip once a month, or when Dad needs me. He’s never fully recovered from his stroke last fall. Not that he’d admit it or say I was anything other than a nuisance.”

      “You’re being a good son to check in on him so regularly. No thoughts of taking over the family businesses yet?” she asked.

      “Soon, maybe.” Brody smiled. “I came to pay my respects. Lynnie Hale was a rare breed.”

      Tandy nodded. “She was that.”

      “What brings you back to Fort Kyle?” Brody’s brown eyes did a quick head-to-toe. “Not that I’m not glad to see you and all. Who is this?” he asked, nodding at Banshee.

      “Banshee, my best friend, of course. We moved for a new job at the veterinary clinic.” She squinted into the setting sun, the fence between Lynnie’s and Uncle Woodrow’s property visible. And just beyond the fence line sat one of Uncle Woodrow’s hunting cabins. Wildflowers carpeted the space between, vibrant pinks and reds and blues a stark contrast to the rugged beauty of West Texas. Nothing like the rolling hills she’d left behind in Stonewall Crossing. Please God, don’t let this move be a mistake.

      “So you’ll be around for a while?” he asked.

      She shrugged, everything she’d known a few hours ago no longer certain. The job here paid ridiculously well, and she still needed some distance from all the weddings and babies in Stonewall Crossing. She was happy for her family and loved them dearly, but it was hard. “We’ll see.” She rubbed on Banshee then, smiling into his golden eyes.

      “What’s taking so long? You better not be scrubbing the porch or sweeping the rafters—” Renata’s eyes went round when she spied Brody. “Brody Wallace, what are you doing out here?”

      Brody laughed. “Enjoying the view.” He caught Renata in a big hug. “Damn good to see you, Renata.”

      “You, too.” Renata clapped his shoulders. “You should come with us tonight. We can catch up.”

      Brody looked back and forth between them. “Where are you going?”

      “The Tumbleweed,” Renata said. “Drinks are definitely in order.”

      Brody nodded. “I could use a drink. Any other Boones around?”

      Tandy shook her head, knowing exactly what he was asking. “If you’re asking if Uncle Woodrow is here, the answer is no. It’s just me, Renata and Scarlett.”