Carrillo's Cowboy by Tee Smith (classic novels to read .txt) 📗

incorrigible,” she laughed, swatting at his hands, but leaning into him at the same time.

“You like it,” Cody teased in return.

“Mm, maybe,” she moaned softly as his lips moved down her neck. She liked their easy banter. Loved the way he knew exactly how to touch her. How long had it been since she had felt wanted? Had Adam ever made her feel that way? Maybe in the beginning. She couldn’t even remember now.

“Dad’s coming on Saturday for the rodeo,” Austin announced excitedly.

His voice ripped her from her moment of bliss, and she took an automatic step out of Cody’s embrace. “That’s good,” she managed out, trying to swallow back her disappointment.

“He said me and Grace can go home for the term break, and he’ll bring us back.”

“Did he?” she forced a smile. She wasn’t sure what hurt most, the fact he was excited at spending two weeks away from her, or the fact Austin still called her marital home “home.” She supposed Carrillo Estate had always been home to her. “That will be nice for you.”

“What? What will be nice?” Grace asked, commanding all eyes to her, as she dropped her filthy riding boots down on the tiled kitchen floor.

“You’re going to have to take those boots outside, miss,” Callie cried at the realisation that she would need to sweep and mop the floors again before the weekend. Although, her concerns were drowned out by Austin excitedly informing his sister of their father's plans.

“Choice,” Grace used her father’s favourite expression but sounded about as impressed at the prospect as Callie felt.

“He said he’s organised surfing lessons, and he’s going to take me to his golf day and . . .”

“Do you actually believe all that shit, Aus?”

“Grace. Language,” Callie admonished, taken aback by her daughter’s words.

Looking back at her mum, Grace’s blue eyes opened wide. “Well, it’s true, Mum, and you know it. He’s full of hot air.”

“You’re just jealous because he wants to do stuff with me,” Austin retorted.

“Am not. Who’d want to hang out with him and his stupid friends anyway? I’d rather stay here. He better let us stay for the show.”

The kids had only ever seen one rodeo. As much as Callie had wanted to bring them up through the years, Adam had always stopped her. “Rodeos are no places for kids,” he had said. “Just because you were brought up with filthy cowboys doesn’t mean my kids will be.”

He’d kind of had a point. She hadn’t known any different. There hadn’t been a time when she didn’t remember there being mud on the ground or dust in the air. Her father was a cowboy, but he was a good, honest, genuine man, and she loved him. He had raised her, loved her, and taught her everything she needed to know, except how to be a mother. And at times like this, she felt a little lost. Would it have been different if her mother had stayed? If she’d had someone to ask for advice?

“C’mon,” Cody interrupted her thoughts. “Let’s help your mum get this table laid for dinner, hey?”

A few grumbles filled the air, but the kids knew what they had to do. Grace headed out the back with her muddy boots, and Austin went back to the living room to turn off his game.

“Are you okay?” Cody asked, moving to stand in front of her. He slipped a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to meet his gaze.

Tears burned behind her eyes, but she wouldn’t let him see them fall. “Yep,” she managed out through the lump that had formed in her throat. “Just stuff that I have to deal with.” She drew her shoulders up and dropped them again.

“What can I do?” he asked, nodding to the stove behind her.

Callie spun on her heel, suddenly remembering her stew. “Oh shit,” she grumbled, as it bubbled at the edges of the pot. “I got distracted.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, don’t stress. How about I get the wine?”

“Could you be any more perfect?” she laughed.

“Well,” he drew out. “I could be, but that would involve me cleaning the mud off the floor that Gracie dragged in, and I’m not about to do that.”

Rolling up the tea towel she’d left on the bench, she aimed at his head as she threw it across the room. He had filled her home with laughter. Allowed her to be silly without admonishing her. The kids loved him, and if she wasn’t careful, she might find herself falling for him as well.

Chapter Thirteen

Callie stared hard at her reflection; she dabbed more concealer under her tired eyes. No amount of make-up was going to cover the dark circles. Working tirelessly for the event and spending late nights with Cody were all contributing to a feeling of exhaustion.

She had considered not attending the house party tonight. She didn’t usually mingle with the workers, but this year was far from usual. Cody was far from a typical worker, and he had expressly asked her to attend.

Dragging her fingers through her hair, she let her locks fall over her shoulders. She desperately needed a cut and a tint; it had been forever since she had seen the inside of a salon, and it showed. When she lived in the city, she kept a regular six-week appointment. She sighed heavily. That had been another life. One she didn’t really miss, but now and again, she allowed a wave of nostalgia wash over her.

“Are you going somewhere?” Grace’s voice dragged her back to the present.

“I’m just going over to the quarters for a bit. I won’t be late.”

“Who’s going to look after us?” Confusion flooded Grace’s features.

Callie turned and gently placed both hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “I’ll be just across the way. You guys will be okay.”

“But . . .” Grace argued.

“You’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m leaving the property.”

“Can we have pizza?” Grace asked hopefully.

“No!”

Grace’s shoulders dropped solemnly, and Callie knew she was being played. “You can