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

Panic filled her eyes, and a warm glow filled her cheeks. He knew she didn’t need this kind of drama right now. He had thought about just dealing with it and not telling her, but he also knew if she returned to the house and found Marla missing, she would freak out.

“It’s okay. Don’t stress,” he soothed, unconsciously reaching for her hand before pulling away sharply when he remembered she’d pushed him away. “I’ve got this. I just thought you should know.”

Her phone rang, and she turned to her desk before looking back to him, torn. “Trust me. Do your thing. If I have any trouble, Ill grab one of the boys. There’s plenty of wannabe cowboys around here. I’m sure they would love to get their boots dirty. Give them something to go home and tell their mates.

Callie laughed at his assumption. “Thank you,” she managed out as she hit the button on her phone.

It didn’t take long to round up the herd, and as expected, several people stopped to help. It was hilarious watching the inexperienced bozos running through the paddock, chasing the one stray sheep that separated from the rest. He thought to tell them, if left alone, it would find its way back, but he was rather enjoying the entertainment.

“Thanks, fella’s,” he called when they were done. “Meet me at the bar after the show. I’ll buy you a beer.”

He watched as they patted each other on the back and snapped selfies of themselves. No doubt posting to their social media to prove they were cowboys and had been out in the bush to prove it.

Heading back to the homestead, he took his time. Taking in the scenery as he rode. It was a beautiful piece of land, beautiful like its owner. He was going to miss Carrillo Estate, he’d miss Harlow’s Bend, but most of all, he’d miss Callie and the kids. He had grown to love them in the brief time he had been here. He wasn’t even sure where he’d go. But he knew he wasn’t welcome here anymore.

“Does Mum know you took Marla?” Grace’s voice came from behind.

Lugging the saddle off the horse, he spun around to face her. “Yeah, I let her know. Someone let the sheep out. What are you doing here? I thought you were up at the showground.”

Grace shrugged. “It’s still quiet up there. I thought I’d come back to the house, hang with Austin for a bit. He reckons he’s not going up there until Dad gets here.” Cody nodded his understanding. He knew Austin was excited to see his dad. “He says you’re not going to be here when we get back.”

“Well, that’s kinda up to your mum.”

Grace cocked her head to one side. “Why did you have to go and ruin everything?”

“What do you mean?”

“Stuff with Mum? We liked having you around. Me and Austin. Then you went and hooked up with another girl.”

Cody froze on the spot, processing what the girl was saying. “Who told you that?”

“That’s what you did, wasn’t it?” she persisted.

“No, I didn’t hook up with anyone. Where did you even hear that? Did someone tell you that? Is that what your mum said?”

Grace stared at her feet and shuffled uncomfortably. “I’m not an idiot, y’know. I can work stuff out.”

“Grace, that never happened. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“Mum said she saw you getting a lap dance. I’m not stupid, Cody. I know what that means.”

Cody let out a long breath. “It means what it is. Nothing happened. The girl, Heidi, was messing around. She was showing off to a group of people. Is that what this is all about? Is that why your mum won’t speak to me?”

“She said you’re a two-timing, good for nothing, cheating cowboy, just like the rest of them.”

“She said that to you?” His eyes bulged at her words.

“No secrets, remember?” Grace smirked, and she looked exactly like her mum.

Lifting his hat from his head, he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to formulate a plan. Of course, it all made sense now. Why Callie hadn’t turned up at the party, or at least he had thought she hadn’t. Why her sudden change of attitude toward him. Why she had seemed so angry, of course, she would be. He was a little surprised she hadn’t kicked him in the balls.

“I gotta go. Thanks, Grace.” He patted her on the shoulder before rushing to his car.

“Where are you going?” she called to his back.

“To try and sort everything out with your mum. Tell her the truth about what happened.”

Dust swirled around him as he brought his car to a halt just outside of Callie’s office. It wasn’t the ideal place to park, but he didn’t really care. He didn’t have time to find a parking space; he had to find Callie, tell her what had happened that night.

“Callie?” he cried out, pounding his fist on the closed door.

“She’s not there, kid,” an old man perched on a nearby bench called out.

“Do you know where she is?” he asked, a sense of urgency in his tone.

The old man took a long drag of his cigarette, blowing it out painfully slowly. “She went thataway,” he raised a gnarly old hand and pointed in the direction of the arena.

“Thanks,” he smiled and tipped his hat before running toward the arena.

Charging his way through the people beginning to gather for the junior events, he made his way towards the back, flashing his access card to the security guards as they approached. He didn’t have time for small talk. It was her voice that caught his attention before he saw her, standing in the holding yards, chatting with three men he recognised as officials.

“I need to speak to you,” he demanded.

A flood of recognition filled her face as he approached, followed by a look of sheer annoyance. “I’m busy right now.”

“I don’t care. It’s important.”

The men stared at him, then awkwardly between themselves.

“It will have to