49. Chapter 49
Chapter forty-nine
Parker
One week later.
“Happy birthday, dear Emmett, happy birthday to you!”
Claps and cheers echo around the farmhouse. Emmett yanks the cardboard party hat off his head, narrowing his eyes at his wife, who presses a kiss to his burly mustache.
“Time for cake!” she calls.
The crowd moves toward the cake table. Mostly the women, which would include Penelope, Ivy, Dakota, and even Millie. Laiken’s mom was floored about what happened, but she’s been very supportive of me being back in her daughter’s life.
I scan the yard, searching for the woman I plan to marry as soon as she’ll let me. I find her at a table with Brady and Trace, hands waving as she tells an elaborate story.
“You’re staring again.” The grumbled words come from my right.
Ryder stands next to me, his arms crossed.
“I’m surprised you showed. Didn’t think parties were your scene.”
“They’re not,” he deadpans.
I snort a laugh, then start toward Maddox as he waves me over.
“Maddox needs something.”
We cross the yard, stopping by the trailer he has hooked up to the Dodge.
“What’s up?”
“Got a question. Since you’re retired now. You need a job, right?” he asks.
“I mean, not necessarily.” I lean against the tailgate. “Why?”
“Got some boys who want some training. Learn to ride.”
“Like a mentor?”
“Yeah.” He rests a hand against the side of the truck. “You know, teach them how to last eight seconds.”
“Maddox. I last a hell of a lot longer than eight seconds.” I smirk. “Ask your sister.”
“Oh, fuck off,” he scoffs. “You in or not?”
I chuckle. “I’m in. I’ll teach them what they need to know.”
“If you need a reference, you can always ask Laiken,” Ryder chimes in.
“And fuck you too, Ryder.” Maddox pushes off the truck. “Would you like the details of how I impregnated your sister?”
“Pass.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“That all you needed?” I press, anxious to get over to my girl.
“No.” He motions. “Need y’all to help me load this bull. He’s a mean bastard.”
Ryder and I follow him to the pens, just as Emmet stalks to the barn.
“You all right, Dad?” Ryder calls.
“Fine. I need some air. Taking Trace and Ari on a ride.” He takes a step toward the barn but turns back around. “Boys.”
Ryder stops to face him.
“You and Maddox handled that rattlesnake problem, right? Just want to make sure I don’t take the kids near that den we found.”
I freeze.
“Yeah,” Ryder answers. “Got ’em out and relocated.”
“Good. Can’t have them bastards taking out the cattle.”
When he disappears into the barn, I finally face Ryder and Maddox. I stare at them. The silence deafening.
Relocated.
Rattlesnakes.
Maddox meets my stare.
“You said you didn’t hurt him.” It’s not an accusation. A question maybe?
He takes his hat off, running a hand over his shaggy hair before he drops it back down. “I didn’t. A rattlesnake did.”
My eyes move to Ryder. He stands as always. Stoic. “That was a hell of a gamble,” I voice.
He never flinches when he says, “You should know by now, Parker, I’m a gambling man.”