One Night Rodeo (Blacktop Cowboys 4)

Her body language changed immediately at the mention of the word wife. “Have a seat. She’ll be with you shortly.”

Kyle studied the artwork in the small office until the receptionist led him back to an office.

The woman behind the desk offered her hand. “Kyle? Come in. Have a seat. What can I help you with?”

Kyle perched on the edge of the chair. “It’s probably pointless of me to ask, but I’m wondering if you can tell me anything about a former patient of yours.”

“Former?”

“He died at the VA a few weeks ago. But I found your name in paperwork at his house and it looked like you might’ve done home health care with him.”

“Whereabouts was this?”

“Rawlins. The man’s name was Marshall Townsend. He was my father. But I didn’t know he was my father until he was dead. The truth is, I know nothing about him. I’m not looking for confidential medical information, just whether you knew him.”

She sighed and tapped her pen on her desk blotter. “Yes, I knew Marshall. He came into the hospital early last summer complaining of chest pains. We did a full round of tests and kept him overnight. The test results weren’t good. He checked himself out the next day. Because he wanted the visit billed to the VA, our office had to do a home check-in. He didn’t return our calls, which forced a home visit. He wasn’t particularly happy to see me but he wasn’t rude either.

“I asked why he hadn’t sought treatment in Rawlins or at the VA in Cheyenne. He said he was as good as dead anyway and he wouldn’t spend his last few months trying to change the outcome.”

Kyle clenched his teeth. Marshall had known he was dying last summer?

“He’d made up his mind, so there was no point in arguing with him. Do you know how long he was in the VA before he passed on?”

“Two months, I guess.”

She frowned. “You really didn’t know him?”

“I met him a couple times over the years, but I had no idea he was my father. I wondered if what killed him might be hereditary.” Not a believable lie, but he had to learn something about the man.

“No. He had lung cancer. He’d smoked for many years and he’d been subjected to some bad chemicals in Vietnam. To be honest, I’m surprised he lived as long as he did after the diagnosis. I suggested he get his affairs in order. I assume he did?”

“Not besides makin’ sure his cows and horses didn’t starve.” Kyle stood and offered his hand. “I appreciate your time, Miz McNamara.”

“You’re welcome. Sorry I wasn’t more help.”

Kyle was lost in thought, leaning against the wall outside of Janie’s room, when Celia strolled out. “Had enough of your baby fix?”

“Yep. He started screaming, she jerked open her hospital gown to nurse him, and I took that as my cue to leave.”

“I’m ready to go home too.”

“We have to stop at the store.”

“Can’t it wait?”

“Not unless you want to start raising chickens, growing fruit, and milling wheat because we’re out of bread, eggs, and orange juice.”

He continued to be lost in thought on the drive to the SuperValu. He parked and said, “I’ll wait in the truck while you grab what we need.”

“You have to come in with me.”

“Why? I don’t care what kind of juice you buy.”

Celia glared at him. “I won’t be able to buy any juice if you don’t come in with me, Kyle, because I don’t have any money. None. You hold all the purse strings, remember?”

Made him feel like an ass to see her embarrassment. “Don’t snap at me,” he said evenly. “This sharing thing, especially about money, is new to me too, okay?”

“I hate asking you for money. It’d be easier if you would…” She turned away. “Never mind. Can we just go in the damn store?”

He grabbed her arm when she tried to flee. “Obviously this has been bugging you for a while. Why haven’t you said anything before now?”

Her gaze pinned him. “Why didn’t you tell me you had business at the hospital today?”

Why did that put a hurt look in her eyes?

Because she’s your wife and you’re shutting her out.

“Because you’re already dealing with enough stuff with your family. I didn’t want to add to it when I wasn’t sure what I’d find out.”

“I recall you telling my brothers that you’re my family now. So tell me where you went after you left Janie’s room.”

Part of him wanted to tell her to mind her own business. But the larger part of him wanted to talk to her. Wanted to open up to her in hopes she’d do the same. He told her about his conversation with the home health care nurse.

Celia remained too quiet for too long after he finished talking.

“What?”

“How long are you gonna do this to yourself, Kyle? What if you never find out anything more about him?”

How could he tell her he couldn’t accept that?

She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed his knuckles. “Don’t you see his secretiveness benefits you? It frees you.”

“How so?”

“You can imagine the best about him, not have proof of the worst. He must’ve felt something for you, Kyle, even if it was just guilt, to leave you such an amazing inheritance. You need to stop picking apart your good fortune and accept that you’ll never know the man. You’ll never know why he didn’t reach out. The fact he didn’t get to know you truly is his loss.”