Get Bucked (The Valentine Boys 4)

She pointed at Darby accusingly.

Darby’s mouth fell open like the cutest of puppies.

“Is that so?” I asked in elation.

“Yep,” Codie said. “Get out already and give me a hug. I haven’t seen you in the daylight since you took off and left me behind.”

I watched as Darby carefully opened the truck’s door and hopped out.

Right when I was about to get out, a pissed off looking Ace opened my door and held it open for me.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

Ace muttered a ‘you’re welcome’ then kept walking past me to the house.

He didn’t stop to talk to Darby, but I knew that he’d wanted to.

He was just as stubborn as my man was, though, and I had a feeling that eventually they’d be able to work it out.

In the meantime, I would be there for Darby until he did.

Walking around the truck, I smiled at Codie who was adorably cute with her tight little baby doll t-shirt that showed off her baby belly, cute cut-off shorts, and a pair of cowboy boots that were the perfect accent to her outfit.

“I love your boots,” I said.

“Thanks.” She held them out for me.

The rhinestones on them glittered.

“They’re pretty,” I said. “I need some.”

“They’re not practical,” Banks muttered. “But I guess it doesn’t matter when you don’t do anything on the ranch.”

Codie flipped him off.

“I resent that,” she said. “I actually fed a horse treats today.”

Banks shook his hands in front of him, pantomiming that he was scared.

She threw a stick at him, and he caught it and lobbed it back.

It hit her on the side of the stomach, and she gasped.

“You just hit your future nephew!” she narrowed her eyes. “I’m so telling Ace. He’ll kick your ass.”

I picked up the stick that she got hit with.

It was smaller than a pencil.

“I’m fairly sure you’ll want to keep this for evidence.” I offered it to her.

Codie winked at me, then offered me her arm.

“Come, let’s go look at your badass trailer,” she ordered.

I followed, winking at Darby as I went by.

“Hey,” Codie called. “Someone should call and order pizza. I’m in the mood for anchovies.”

Banks and Candy made a gagging sound as we walked into the trailer.

“Oh, this is nice,” Codie said, eyeing everything.

I looked at all the shit that was compacted in the middle of the living room from where we’d closed all the pop-outs for our ride over here, and quietly agreed.

“I wanted to get you in here, because I want you to bring Darby to dinner tonight,” she said softly, keeping her voice low so nobody would overhear.

I looked at Codie and licked my lips.

“I think…” I paused. “I think it’s best for them to fix this on their own. I’m not saying I don’t want it fixed or anything, but Darby was really hurt by what happened. This isn’t mine to fix. It’s theirs. And if he doesn’t want to do it… I can’t really make him. I love him.”

Codie sighed.

“That’s exactly why I can’t make Ace pull his head out of his ass,” she mumbled. “I don’t like seeing him hurt, and I have to be on his side because he’s my husband. That doesn’t mean that I agree with his decisions or anything… but I do think that this is a mess that they should fix sooner rather than later. I want everyone to be happy when this baby comes. I want his uncle Darby in his life.”

The trailer shook as I guessed Darby started to stabilize and level it out.

“What do you think we should do to get them together again?” she asked.

I pressed the button that would start pushing the pop-outs into position just as Candy made her way inside.

Banks followed, and Darby wasn’t far behind.

The moment to talk to Codie about Ace and Darby’s reconciliation took a hike.

“Hey,” Candy said, her eyes filled with excitement. “So… I was thinking…”

All eyes turned to her.

“My dad’s been looking for an architect for years now. One that’s reliable and willing to work with him and be flexible.” She paused. “I gave him your number.”

There was a silent pause as everyone took that in.

“That would be perfect for you, Way,” Darby said suddenly. “You wouldn’t have to work at the porn theater.”

Everybody laughed at that, and I had the decency to blush.

“To be honest,” I said. “I kind of like the work. But that’s not saying I couldn’t do both. Right?”

Candy nodded. “Of course. My dad’s supposed to call you early next week once he’s gotten a bid up for you.”

Wow.

This was really happening?

“I… thank you,” I said softly. “That means the world to me.”

Darby slung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in closer.

Just then Ace came stomping out of the house, glared at us all, then went to the stables.

Banks rolled his eyes.

“He’ll come around,” he informed us.