40. Chapter 40
Chapter forty
Laiken
When I blink my eyes open, the world seems a little brighter.
My heart is full, my body blissfully sore, and any doubts that have been festering inside of me about Parker have evaporated.
I stretch my arms, seeing Parker’s side of the bed is empty.
After rolling out of the tangled sheets and throwing on some clothes, I pad down the hallway to the voices of my two favorite guys.
I pause at the threshold of the living room, leaning against the wall.
“Okay, good. Now it’s all about balance.” Parker demonstrates by bending his knees and motioning to his hips.
“Like this?” Trace questions as he readjusts on his makeshift bull.
This is the best gift Maddox ever bought for him. He rides this thing daily.
“Just like that.” Parker grins. “You want to keep in the center. It’s all in the core and your legs.”
“All right.” Trace grips the rope in his hand, then shoots his arm up. “Let ’em loose.”
Parker shakes the barrel, giving Trace the ride of his life. When Parker makes a loud buzzer sound, indicating an eight-second ride, Trace leaps off onto the floor with an exaggerated roll.
“We got a new leader, boys! Ninety-two points!” Parker bellows, mimicking a rodeo announcer.
Trace seals the deal by sailing his cowboy hat across the living room before he drops to a knee, taps his chest, then points up at the ceiling, giving all the glory to the man upstairs.
Clapping my hands, I move into the room. “Heck of a ride, cowboy.”
Trace grins as he jumps to his feet. “Parker is going to teach me to ride! I’m going to win a gold buckle!” He slaps Parker’s open palm before he picks up his hat.
“I’m not sure I like the idea of you being tossed around on the back of a thousand-pound animal. A bit dangerous.”
Trace drops his hat on his head. “Mama. I’m a man now. Men do these things.”
I snort a laugh. “Well, if you’re a man and all, then maybe you can get in there and clean up those toys all over your bedroom floor?”
He goes to argue, but Parker clears his throat.
“Yes, ma’am,” he grumbles as he trudges down the hallway.
I meet Parker’s eyes, laughing as he stalks to me.
“Morning, Firefly.” He doesn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms and plant a searing kiss on my lips.
“Morning,” I murmur against him.
“Sleep good?” he asks.
“Better than I have in years.”
He kisses me again, but it’s short and sweet. “You got plans today?”
“Mom should be coming home tomorrow. I was going to go to the house and clean up for her. Make sure everything is in place. Get her some groceries.”
“You’re a good daughter, Laike Sheppard,” he praises.
“I don’t know about that.” I run my hands down his biceps. “Speaking of moms. How is Maggie?”
“Stubborn as ever. But she’s doing okay. She was diagnosed early, so they’ve been able to help maintain her symptoms better, but unfortunately, it isn’t something that will be cured. She just takes it one day at a time.”
I frown, my heart going out to his mom. She was always so sweet. His dad, on the other hand, I was not a fan of.
“You think she will ever move back?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I think a part of her doesn’t want anyone to pity her. Plus the fact that my dad ran out on her, she thinks everyone will say ‘I told you so’. Especially Penny and Ruthie.”
“They’re her sisters. They love her.” I step away, moving into the kitchen. “Isn’t she lonely?”
“She has some friends in Wimberly Cove.” He shrugs. “But deep down, I think she misses the ranch.”
“Then I guess we will just have to convince her,” I declare.
“We?” He lifts a brow.
“It’s you and me, right?” I sass.
His smile wraps me like a warm blanket. “Damn right, baby.”