10. Chapter 10
Chapter ten
Maddox
I climb in the ATV.
“Shep,” Cooper hollers.
“Be back,” I call out before I’m spinning out, heading to my cabin that’s just beyond the breeding barns.
I already need a beer, and seeing Ivy in my brother’s arms just about sent me over the edge.
Parking up next to the porch, I step off and march inside, almost ripping the fridge door off the hinges as I grip a longneck in my hand.
I twist the top, letting the cold liquid cool the fire in my veins. The fire that burns when I think of her. When I think of how my feelings could hurt my brother. When I think of the accident. My eyes close as I bring the bottle up again. I just need to get through the next few days. I know Ivy still has a life in Georgia. Hell, for all I know she has someone waiting for her. A man who that can love her with everything he has. A man that doesn’t have to put her second.
Another pull from my cold beer, then my phone is ringing. Fishing it from my pocket, I glance at the screen and swipe.
“Uncle Mads!”
My nephew’s face fills the screen. “Nan said there was a big fire.”
“There was buddy.” I scratch the scruff on my chin. “But everything is good now.”
“Tater Tot is ok?” He asks.
I watch the worry etched across his little face.
“Tater Tot is fine.”
I can see the relief melt into his expression. “Wheeeeew.” He blows air between his teeth. “I almost wasn’t a cowboy anymore.”
I chuckle. “What do you mean?”
“You know a cowboy is nothing with no horse, Uncle Mad,” he points out.
I swear he’s hoarding a sixty-year-old man in his six-year-old body.
“Wise words my man.”
“Can I come to the Ranch?" He asks, his eyes hopeful.
“Maybe in a couple of days. We got to get everything cleaned up then you can come spend the day with me.”
“What about Havoc?” He asks. “That bastard still kicking?”
I snort a laugh.
“Trace Sheppard,” my mother scolds. “You watch your language.”
“But he says it!” He pouts. “Ryder too.”
“Well, I can smack their back ends just as good as I can yours for that foul mouth.”
My mother’s face suddenly appears behind Trace, her eyebrows raised.
A reluctant “yes ma’am” comes from me and Trace before she goes back to her previous task.
“Havoc is good,” I tell him.
Havoc is our prime bucking bull and Trace’s favorite.
“I’m going to ride him one day.” His brow grows serious.
“I don’t doubt it.” I laugh. “I’ll call your mom later this week. You be good.”
“Ok. Stay punchy.”
The call goes black, and I shake my head. Man, I love that kid. Laiken has worked her ass off. Being a single mother isn’t easy, and I’ve tried to be as involved and present as I can be for her and Trace.
Placing my phone on the counter, I bring my beer to my lips, savoring the way it temporarily eases the ache. Glancing out the window over the sink, I spot a familiar truck pulling through the gates, and all my hackles rise.