Cowboy Lullaby (The Boones of Texas 6)

Click shook his head. “Gettin’ new words every day. Like a sponge.”

“She is, so watch your language,” Scarlett said. “We had a guest whose three-year-old ran around chanting one word over and over again.” She shook her head, her cheeks bright red. “He had an older brother—quite a bit older.”

Click grinned, curious. “What was he saying?” He was pretty sure Scarlett’s idea of a bad word wasn’t all that bad.

Scarlett shook her head.

Tandy laughed, leaning forward to whisper. “What did it rhyme with?”

Scarlett looked around, then leaned forward. “Luck.”

He whistled, surprised. “You weren’t kidding. Not the most age-appropriate word.”

“Is there an appropriate bad word for a three-year-old?” Scarlett asked.

“No, not really. But maybe he should have started with a tame one. You know, something that rhymes with...ham,” Renata said, laughing. “Or bell.”

Tandy laughed. “Renata.”

“Ta-dee,” Pearl said, clapping her hands. “Hi.”

Hearing Pearl singsong Tandy’s name brought a smile to his lips. In the short amount of time they’d spent together, Tandy had made an impression on his baby girl. Click understood. Tandy did that, left an impression.

“Hi,” Tandy said, reaching for Pearl’s hand. “Hi, Pearl. Is the doggie taking care of you?”

Pearl smiled down at Banshee, her little fingers resting on the dog’s head.

“Banshee is a good dog.” Tandy nodded, rubbing the dog’s ear. “He takes care of me, too.”

Click sat back, amused by their conversation of sorts. Pearl gibber-jabbered, her face animated as she talked to Tandy. Tandy listened closely, her expressions just as animated, like she understood every word. Just when he thought Pearl had chattered herself out, she started again, drawing a huge smile from Tandy. There were other people at the table observing them, likely reading too much into things. But watching Pearl and Tandy was too charming to resist.

“Food’s ready,” Renata said. “Our table’s up.”

“I’ll keep her,” Tandy said, reaching for Pearl.

His daughter squealed gleefully, clapping her hands as Tandy lifted her high in the air.

“You’re not eating?” he asked.

“Renata will get me something.” She made a pouty face at Renata.

Renata giggled. “I will?”

“Please?” Tandy pressed her cheek against Pearl’s, the two of them staring at Renata.

Renata sighed. “Shameless.”

He liked Tandy like this, the way she’d been before. Playful. Smiling. Full of spirit and fun. Without sadness shadowing her eyes and twisting his gut. She was made for joy, not heartache. If there was something he could do to make her happy, he’d do it.

He followed Scarlett and Renata to the buffet line, reality returning with every step. He hadn’t made Tandy happy in a long time. No, dammit, he’d been the one to put that sadness in her eyes.

“You still love her?” Renata asked.

He didn’t say a word.

“Renata,” Scarlett hissed.

Renata frowned. “I’m worried about my friends, Scarlett. Just like you. So don’t shush me.”