Wi
th all three of the kids—and the old man on the stool beside them—staring at her, she didn’t really have a choice. “Sure. Coffee sounds good.” But the flutter in her stomach told her she might not be as upset about his maneuverings as she should be.
* * *
TOBEN WAS ASLEEP on his feet. He should have gently refused Rowdy’s offer, driven back to the ranch, showered and fallen into his bunk. Instead he was driving farther away from the ranch, bleary-eyed and aching.
But he followed his son inside the house, listened to him chatter as he made the coffee and managed to keep up some sort of conversation until a steaming cup was placed in front of him. He knocked it back, uncaring that it burned his throat and the roof of his mouth. He was about to pass out at the table.
“Another cup?” Rowdy asked.
“Keep it coming,” he agreed.
He saw Poppy walk through the kitchen, the floor creaking as she went, carrying a full laundry basket. Her hair was down, swinging between her shoulders. And she was humming, soft and sweet.
“Ma’s pretty,” Rowdy said, sitting beside him at the table.
“I think so,” Toben agreed.
“Why didn’t you marry her?” Rowdy asked.
Toben stared at his son. It was the last question he’d expected him to ask. “Honest?”
Rowdy nodded.
“I was an idiot.” He sipped his coffee. If he’d spent less time partying and living in the moment, he might have realized what was right in front of him—what he’d lose.
Rowdy sighed.
“Is there anything else you want to ask me?” Toben asked, aware that this might not be as straightforward as he hoped.
Rowdy thought about it, his face scrunched up in concentration. “You don’t rodeo anymore, like Ma. Did you get hurt like she did? Or decide you were done?”
Toben was awake then. “Your mom got hurt?”
Rowdy nodded. “Broke three ribs, punctured her lung, had her right arm in a sling for a long time,” he said. “Still hurts sometimes.” He leaned forward to whisper. “She doesn’t like that I notice that.”
“She likes to be strong,” Toben agreed.
“She is strong.”
“That she is.” Toben stared at his son. “I was done. I’ll still ride for special events but I’m too old. I figure it’s time for me to settle down.”
“You married?” Rowdy asked.
“Nope.”
Rowdy paused. “And I’m your only kid?”
“Just you, kid.”
Rowdy grinned. “Girlfriend?”
Toben shook his head.
“How many Boones are there?”
“Lots,” Toben asked. “I was hoping to introduce you to a few of them tonight, but that didn’t quite work out.” He winked. “You can meet them all Thursday night. If you want?”