Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was the damnedest thing. Monty wasn’t surprised that Tex was such a hit with his family. Zinnia was, too, but Tex was in demand and he lapped up the attention.
Monty was glad for the kid. He really was. He was also jealous as hell. While Tex didn’t exactly ignore him, he was mostly busy talking to Monty’s brothers and Cole, the magician in charge of the Beaver Bunch.
Adam gave Tex a tour of the barn. Luis showed him the other barn, the one for the semi-wild horses being trained for adoption. Zay took him for a ride on the new John Deere Gator the ranch had just purchased for checking the water tanks in the sanctuary.
Rio even searched the attic for a toy set of horseshoes and everyone took turns playing with Tex. Monty did, too, but it wasn’t like the kid was more excited to play with him than anyone else.
To be hurt because he wasn’t Tex’s main man anymore was jacked up and he knew it. If the family in general took an interest in that little boy it would gradually loosen the bonds between them.
He should want that since he’d been as worried about Tex getting overly attached as Zinnia was. She was probably thrilled with the turn of events. He would be, too, once he got his head on straight.
When it was time for dinner, everybody wanted to sit with Tex. As Monty was filling his plate, Zinnia walked over, a bemused smile on her face. “He really doesn’t need me. Want to sit together?”
“Sure. He doesn’t need me, either.”
“A steady diet of this wouldn’t be good, but I guess one afternoon and evening won’t ruin him for life.”
“Hey, birthday boy, over here.” Luis beckoned to him from the table he and Jordan shared with Mila and Cole. “We saved a spot for you and Zinnia.”
“Appreciate it.” He glanced at Zinnia.
“Sounds great.”
The women occupied one side and the men the other. He slid in next to Luis and Zinnia sat next to Jordan.
Luis motioned to the table where Tex was holding court with their mom, Graham and the Damsels. “Looks like you’ve been upstaged, little brother.”
“No worries. He’s having a ball.”
“I’m getting a preview of what it’ll be like when Liberty’s born next month.” Jordan laid her hand on her large belly. “I hope somebody else gets preggers soon or Liberty’s gonna be spoiled rotten.”
“I hear you,” Zinnia said. “Tex will be bored out of his gourd tomorrow with a measly audience of me, my sister and my uncle.”
“I’m sorry she couldn’t make it.” Mila leaned around Jordan. “Mom said she’s working at the Raccoon tonight.”
“She is or she would have loved to come. It was kind of your mom to invite all of us.”
Monty’s breath caught. She’d just shifted the blame — or credit? — for the invitation to his mother. Nicely done.
“I’m glad she did,” Cole said. “Having a kid in the audience was fun. We need more kids around here.”
“Hey, big brother. Does that mean I can count on you and Mila to provide the next addition to the Bridger Bunch?”
He smiled. “Maybe, Jordie. Maybe.”
Jordan’s attention snapped to Mila. “Are you—”
“Maybe.” Mila’s dark eyes sparkled. “But it’s too soon to—”
“Ohmigosh!” She gave Mila a sideways hug. “I won’t say a word, I promise. But that would be so cool.”
“Hang on.” Zinnia looked at Jordan. “Cole is your brother?”
“Yep. Without me, Mila and Cole never would have met. When I showed up here last July I had no idea I was about to change both my life and his.”
“That sounds like a good story.”
“Two good stories.” Luis took a sip of his beer. “Monty was part of the drama. Jordie needed a vet on short notice for Fudge, who had an abscess. I coaxed her to trailer him down from Missoula so Monty could take care of him.”
“Monty to the rescue.” Zinnia gave him a wink.
“He became sort of an unintentional cupid,” Luis said. “Fudge had to stay so Monty could treat him, so naturally she had to stay at the ranch, too.”
“I’ll admit sometimes I was an intentional cupid. I could see you two belong together.”
Jordan smiled. “Thanks for that, Monty. Took us a while to figure it out. Anyway, once I was staying on the ranch I got permission to invite my brother, and the rest is history.”
“Uncle Graham told me about your fabulous training center and Luis’s work with wild horses. Mila, you run the Hearts and Hooves adoption program, right?”
“It’s me and Claudie. I handle the adoptions and she does the marketing.”
Zinnia nodded. “Makes sense that program needs two people. I’m gradually getting it all straight. Cole, what about you?”
“Oh, I just play with animatronics.”
“I doubt that.”
“He’s the head of ranch maintenance,” Mila said. “It’s a huge job. We didn’t realize how huge because my dad just quietly did everything.”
“So I’ve heard.” She looked across the table, her gaze holding his. “An amazing person.”
“Which means I have big shoes to fill,” Cole said. “Luckily the Bridger Bunch is pretty handy. I count on that help when things get too crazy.”
“I can see it’s a big operation.” Zinnia turned to Jordan. “Since your specialty is training, I’d love to hire you for a consultation as I get into this adventure with Tex and his foal. I want them to grow and learn together, but I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Just one consultation? I’d be glad to do more. Of course baby Liberty will change my schedule, but I plan to keep working.”
“I wish I could say yes to that, but I doubt I can afford it.”
“You’d get the family rate.”
“But I’m not—”
“Close enough.” She glanced at Monty. “Am I right?”
He gulped. “Um…”
“Oh, geez, me and my big mouth. Blame it on pregnancy brain. This thing is brand new and I’m an idiot. Forgive me for putting you on the spot. Forget I said that, please. Zinnia, we’ll talk. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“I’m sure we can.”
He sucked in air. So much for diffusing the bomb by making it sound like his mother had orchestrated Zinnia’s presence here. He might as well own this fustercluck.
After dinner came the cakes, plural. His mom had long ago given up the idea of one cake. It would have to be rolled in on a wheelbarrow.
And after the candle-blowing routine, which was always a challenge for outdoor birthdays like his, everyone settled in with cake and ice cream. When everyone was almost done, he announced he’d start opening presents.
That brought Tex right over to the table that had been designated for it. “Can I help, Mister Monty?”
Zinnia put a hand on his shoulder. “Come sit by me, son. Opening presents is for the person having the birthday.”
“Oh.” The light disappeared from his eyes. “Okay, Mommy.”
The disappointment on that previously smiling little face got to him. “Your mom’s right, sport. Normally I’d do this all by myself since it’s my birthday and these are my presents. But I’m kinda tired from all the fun we’ve been having. I could use a little help, if you’re available.”
“I am! Can I, Mommy?”
“You can, but you’re not allowed to rip the paper. Be very careful. Sometimes people like to save the wrapping paper.”
“I will! I’ll be so careful!”
“Oh, I don’t—” He shut his trap when he got a look from Zinnia. “I just don’t understand why more people don’t save paper. I’m way into saving paper.” He ignored the snort from Rio.
He paid for caving to the little guy’s disappointed face. They all did. Unwrapping the gifts took freaking forever. Fortunately some came in bags. Even then, Tex insisted on folding the tissue paper.
Greta came around with two big pitchers of beer. Thirty minutes later she came around again. Several times Rio hummed the theme song from Jeopardy under his breath, but he also called out words of encouragement along with everyone else.
Despite the slow pace of the endeavor, Tex was winning hearts and minds with his dedication to the cause.
“I think we’ve got us a future wild horse trainer,” Luis called out. “Don’t often see that kind of patience.”
“Or he could be a baker,” Greta said. “Attention to detail is important for baking.”
Tex glanced up. “I’m gonna be a cowboy.”
“You could be a cowboy and a baker.”
“Yep. I maded some brownies with Auntie Mari.” As the Damsels let out a communal sigh of pure love, Tex went back to slowly peeling tape away from the next wrapped gift.
Eventually only one was left, wrapped in cowboy-themed paper that reminded him of Tex’s pjs. He had a hunch that paper had made an appearance when Tex had his fifth birthday.
Tex had pushed it aside each time Monty reached for another present, muttering we gots to save it for last. Where had he learned that the best gift should be opened last?
“Well, sport, I guess this is it. Ready to open it for me?”
He shook his head and grinned. “You gots to open it. Mommy tolded me you’ll like it. You’ll really, really like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He could tell it was a book. He’d been holding off buying Rance McLintock’s latest thinking someone would get it for him, likely his mom. She might have put the bug in Graham’s ear. Or Zinnia’s.
“You put a lot of tape on here, Tex.”
“I like tape.”
“You do a good job with it. A thorough job.”
“I know.” He crowded up against him, quivering with eagerness.
Finally he peeled off the last bit of tape and pulled the paper away. “Awesome! It’s A Bullet Through the Beer Keg! I really wanted this one!”
“I know!” Tex hopped up and down. “We gots you it — me, Mommy and Uncle G!”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.” Tex grabbed him around the waist and looked up, his eyes shining. “Happy birthday, Mister Monty.”
Damned if he didn’t get all emotional. He had to clear his throat before he could say thank you again. Around him others were doing the same.
His whole family had fallen in love with Tex. And so had he.
Which meant he needed to distance himself from this adorable kid. And his even more adorable mother.