Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“That’s the guy, huh?” Jackson asked quietly, once the café had returned to normal.
Folks were eating and chatting again, but Mina could see that Hugo still looked almost angry as he sat at a booth by himself. In fact, the expression he wore looked more like one he’d have if he’d stepped in dog poop rather than being about to eat.
“That’s him, alright,” she confirmed. “I wonder why he looks so grumpy.”
“Probably figures he’s too good for a little town like ours,” Slater guessed. “But maybe I’m judging him. And you know what the Good Book says about judging.”
Jackson finished a bite of chicken-fried steak and gravy and then said, “Actually, I don’t know.”
Slater looked to be thinking it over for a minute. He finally laughed a little and said, “Huh. Guess I don’t know, either. But I’d place a bet it says we shouldn’t do it.”
Mina laughed, and they both smiled at her.
“That might be the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard,” Slater said.
“Ain’t that the truth, brother,” Jackson replied.
“Oh. Are you two siblings?” Mina asked.
“Nah. Just been best friends for so long that it feels like we are, I guess. Closer than that actually,” Jackson said.
Mina wondered just what that meant.
It wasn’t any of her business, so she didn’t press. Even though the reporter in her—and the Little looking for a Daddy or Daddies —truly wanted to know.
“How did you two meet?” she asked instead.
“Rodeo,” Slater said. “Down in Durant. This was years ago.”
“Fifteen,” Jackson added.
“Yeah. Fifteen. Been together since,” Slater said.
“Y’all live together?”
“Yep. Out on some property not too far out of town,” Jackson said. “Feels good to settle down and have a place to call our own. Before that, I reckon we weren’t anything but saddle tramps.”
“That’s right,” Slater said with a chuckle. “But we always got by.”
“We’re building the kind of life we want,” Jackson said. “The only thing missing, really, is a Little of our own. But one day, we’ll have a cute little thing running around the house. And we’ll spoil her rotten.”
Mina felt a sense of longing start in her core before spreading out. She pictured herself with the two men, her cheeks probably glowing red now as her imagination ran wild.
“She’ll have to be a special Little girl, though,” Jackson continued.
“Why’s that?” Mina asked.
“Well, because me and Slater share and share alike. If you know what I mean.”
Mina hurriedly brought the glass of tea to her lips, hoping to hide just how much she was blushing.
Mmm. Being with them both? Yes, please.
“You finish up eating,” Jackson said, eyeing her plate. “Take your time. No rush. But like we said, we have a surprise for you.”
More excitement began to grip her. She forgot all about Hugo Sparks sitting just a few booths over, looking as if he wanted to burn the diner down.
She was with Jackson and Slater. And something told her it was going to be a fun night.
* * *
“Where are we going?” she asked as the cowboys escorted her down a few lots.
“Cowboying is about having the right gear,” Jackson said. “When those old-timers were riding the range, they needed a good pistol, rifle, and other provisions to stay alive. Now, in these modern times, when we’re trying to go eight seconds, we need the right gloves, riggin’, and what have you.”
“Yeah?”
Slater laughed. “What he’s trying to say is, just like it’s important for cowboys to have the right gear, it’s just as essential that Littles have their gear, too.”
Jackson guided her onto the porch of the store and said, “Yep. You need to be properly outfitted. You’re in Big Cedar now! That’s why we’re taking you shopping.”
Excitement began to build inside Mina, but also guilt. They didn’t need to spend their money on her. “You don’t have to do that!” she protested, though she was grinning when she said it.
Jackson stopped at the store’s door. “We want to. Reckon we were a bit tough on you today, when you ran into the street.” His gaze grew stern. “Now, if you were our Little, we would have been tougher.”
“That’s right,” Slater chimed in. “Would’ve probably pulled your britches down right there in the street and given you some licks with our belts.”
“That’s exactly what we would’ve done,” Jackson said. “But being as things are, you’re new in town. We didn’t give you a very proper welcome. So, we want to make it up to you.”
“Jackson, that’s not necessary,” Mina protested.
He held up his hands, as if cutting off any further argument. “We’ve made up our minds. Hang around long enough and you’ll learn how stubborn we are.”
“What do you think made us keep climbing on bulls and broncs after being thrown off more times than we could count?” Slater added. “Sheer stubbornness and fool-hearted determination. So you’re best not arguing with us. You won’t win, little darlin’.”
Before she could respond, Jackson knocked on the door. A moment later, it opened to reveal a broad-shouldered, handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes wearing a welcoming grin.
“Howdy, Joe,” Jackson said. “Thanks for opening up a little later for us.”
“You kidding? After my Little Mindy told me how excited she was Mina had arrived in town, there was no way I would say no. I’d never hear the end of it if I did!” He chuckled. “Besides, I’m eager to welcome Big Cedar’s newest resident myself.”
He extended his hand. “I’m Joe Graves. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“Hello, Mr. Graves. Thank you so much for opening just for me.”
“Don’t mention it.” He jerked his head toward somewhere in the back of the store. “Mindy is waiting for you. She wants to help you pick out some outfits, if that’s all right.”
Mina giggled. “I can’t wait, sir!”
The men all seemed pleased, Mina noted, based upon the grins they wore.
But the looks in Jackson and Slater’s eyes hinted at more than just joy in taking her shopping. There seemed to be a growing affection there.
And it was making Mina’s mind swirl with possibilities.
Some sweet. Some naughty.
Naughty, naughty possibilities.