A Son for the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 5)

His grin was lethal. “That’s a low blow, Miss White. Using our son like that.” He tilted her head up. “Can’t say it?”

She shot him a look.

He nodded. “Then I’ll go.” His grin faded. “I don’t want to push this on you.” He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, leaving Poppy frantic.

She tugged her quilt up. She didn’t want him to go. She wanted him to stay. Dammit, she needed him to stay. If he stayed, she couldn’t talk herself into doubting him all over again. He stood, sliding his jeans up.

She grabbed the denim. “Stay, Toben.”

He looked at her, the hurt on his face completely unexpected. She rose onto her knees, touching his cheek. His hand covered hers and he pressed a kiss to her palm.

“I want you to stay,” she managed, even though her voice was wobbly and breathless.

He stared at her, his grin returning. “That hurt, didn’t it?”

She sat back, blowing out a deep breath, and nodded.

He chuckled, dropping his jeans and climbing onto the bed. His arms wrapped around her, tugging her against his side. “Come here, Poppy.” He kissed her temple and held her close, the beat of his heart beneath her palm.

* * *

WEDNESDAY WAS A good day. He made pancakes on the griddle for Poppy and Rowdy, ate with them and left with a smile on his face. At six that evening, he got a text from his son, telling him there was fried chicken ready and waiting. He showered, packed a bag and headed to Poppy’s.

Thursday morning, he rolled over to an empty bed and sat up, his heart in his throat. When she came in with a cup of coffee for him, he put it on the bedside table and pulled her to him. He kissed her with everything he had.

They had scrambled eggs and bacon, some toast and a lot of laughs before he made the drive to Boone Ranch. At five he offered to bring some pizzas out. They played cards and talked about painting Rowdy’s room before bed. Then he loved Poppy long and hard into the early morning hours. She was sleeping when he headed out Friday morning. He left a plate of cinnamon rolls he’d picked up from Carl and Lola’s on his way there the day before.

Driving to the ranch, he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Damn lucky. He was a smiling fool and he liked it.

“You’re getting annoying.” Deacon sighed when Toben walked into the ranch headquarters. “Good thing I’m hitting the road.”

“If I was my usual self, you’d stay on longer?” Toben asked, knowing the truth.

Deacon grinned, shaking his head. “Nah, it’s time.”

Toben nodded. “Where are you headed?”

Deacon shrugged. “Might head to my dad’s. Might not.” He laughed.

Toben nodded. Deacon’s dad was the exact opposite of Teddy Boone. Where Teddy was supportive and loving, Woodrow Boone was loud, overbearing and best taken in small doses. He and Deacon had never seen eye to eye. After Deacon lost his family, Uncle Woodrow’s answer had been for Deacon to move on and remarry quickly. But Deacon had loved his wife and kids and resented his father’s callous dismissal of his grief.

Thinking about losing Rowdy and Poppy...Toben couldn’t imag

ine it. It hurt too much to consider.

“Might head to New Mexico to Roger’s place for a bit. Or out to California now that Chris has that new spread.” Deacon shrugged. “Might just drive for a bit.”

“When you leaving?”

“Tomorrow,” Deacon answered. “Head out before the holiday crowds start pouring in. Figured I’d finish up some things around here so Archer can’t complain.”

“He’s going to do that no matter what.” Toben laughed.

“Speaking of Archer, he wants to see you,” Deacon said.

Even a summons from his cousin wouldn’t get to him today. “Okay. The family know you’re going?”

Deacon shrugged. “Didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”