Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders 13)

Dalton leaned closer. “Either of you got any Tums? I’m about to blow chunks after way too much drinkin’ last night.”

“There’s some in the glove box,” Brandt said. When Tell gaped at him, he said, “What? Jess ate Tums by the handful when she was pregnant. I kept ’em in my truck since I was her chauffeur.”

“That ain’t what surprised me. It was the fact you didn’t go all ‘you’re a dumb-ass’ on our little brother.”

“I’m too f**kin’ tired to care.” Brandt shot him a smirk. “And I’m practicing not bein’ a dick.”

Tell snorted.

Cord stepped forward and all conversation ended. “We haven’t had a formal shareholders meeting since around this time last year, so I figured we’d get it out of the way.”

“So we’re doin’ this without the previous McKay generation in attendance?” Quinn asked.

“Technically, they’re shareholders, but they gave up voting rights when they passed us the reins.”

It went unsaid that none of them wanted to deal with Casper after what’d happened last year. An endless prayer followed by an endless litany of criticism and complaints.

“I don’t gotta go over the financials because you all got copies relating to your shares. We all had a record year last year and so far it’s lookin’ like this one might be even better.”

Heads nodded.

“That said, we’ve gotta replace a lot of equipment, and that’s expensive, but since it’s equipment we all use it, the purchase will come out of the main ranch account.”

“We’re payin’ cash?” Ben asked.

“That’s what we need to vote on,” Cord said. “Whether we wanna take out a loan or use the cash reserves.”

Colt spoke up. “I’d rather we used some of the cash, say thirty or forty percent, and finance the rest. If we’ve still got a solid amount of cash this time next year, then we can look at payin’ off the remaining amount. Or extending the loan another year.”

“I agree,” Kade said. “Who knows what the economy, the price of feed and the livestock market will do in the next twelve months? Better to play it safe.”

“Any other comments or suggestions?” Cord asked.

Ben raised his hand. “At the risk of ruffling some feathers, I suggest we make sure we’re getting the lowest rate from Settler’s First Bank before we commit to borrowing money from them.”

“Sez the competing bank president’s husband,” Tell said dryly.

Everyone laughed.

“I agree with Ben,” Brandt said. “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to American West Bank to see what they’ll offer to get some of our business.”

“And just to be clear, I won’t be involved one way or the other. I just wanted to mention it,” Ben added.

“So, show of hands on usin’ a partial down payment?”

All hands went up.

“Good. Show of hands on me, Kade, Brandt and Quinn finding the lowest loan rate?”

All hands went up.

Cord stroked his goatee. “Motion passes and all that shit. What’s next?”

Kade said, “As long as we’re talkin’ about joint expenses, something’s gotta be done with that bunkhouse. Over the last few months, me’n Colby found a ton of beer cans inside and outside. All the wood we had stockpiled has been burned, so someone has been livin’ there. Or more likely, kids have been usin’ it as a party house.”

“Once it becomes party central, it’s gonna be hell to get them kids to stop goin’ there,” Colby added.

“And Cam can’t patrol that area all the time because it’s abusing his position,” Colt pointed out. “Any ideas on how we oughta handle it?”

“I say all ten of us sit inside. When the little shits show up, we reinforce with ten loaded shotguns that they’re trespassing on private property,” Dalton suggested.

Chuckles.

“I vote for burning it down,” Tell said. “Ain’t like we use it all that much anymore anyway. Not during calving season, and we haven’t played poker there in well over a year.”

Everyone looked at Tell like he was holding a can of gasoline and a blowtorch.

“Jesus, Tell, can’t you be serious for one f**kin’ second?” Kane demanded.

Tell hated how his face heated. “I am serious. It ain’t like we can move it, since we poured concrete footings. We used cheap materials to build it and we haven’t been takin’ care of it, so it is gonna fall into ruin. Better we torch it ourselves than to wait for some dumb f**king teenagers to accidentally light it on fire, as well as the damn grass surrounding it.”

“Just torch it?” Kade said. “Seems wasteful.”

Discussion broke out. Tell knew nothing would be decided today. He whistled and everyone stopped talking. “I believe there are two options on the table. Cord? Let’s vote.”

Cord cocked his head. “You’re pushy today, Tell. What’s up? Got someplace to be?”

“Maybe he’s volunteered to walk a group of senior citizens across the street,” Colt said.

“Or maybe he’s gotta polish up his comedy routine for Wyoming’s Funniest Person contest at Cheyenne Frontier Days,” Colby quipped.

“Or maybe he’s judgin’ a swimsuit contest in his bedroom,” Kane said.

“I’ll bet he wants to get out of here because he’s got a hot date with Hot Lips,” Dalton said slyly.

Tell pushed him. “Fuck off.” He looked at his cousins. “All of you can just f**k the f**k off.”

“Speaking of… I met your woman at India’s shop. She is a knockout. Indy says she’s sharp.” Colt paused and smirked. “So what in the hell is she doin’ with you?”

Laughter.

“Really funny, cuz.”

“You know, AJ mentioned that your latest squeeze had shown up at Healing Touch. Evidently you were a main topic of conversation,” Cord said.

Tell muttered, “Fuckin’ awesome. Now I have to wonder if India tattooed Georgia before or after her massage with AJ.”

Colt shook his head. “She wasn’t getting a tat. She was selling advertising.”

“Come to think of it, Skylar told me about this charming little bombshell from Sundance who stopped in to the Sky Blue manufacturing plant and dropped your name.”