Short Rides (Rough Riders 14.5)

“How long has this been goin’ on?”

“Months. We dated for about three months before I broke it off. He’s spent the last six months doing this shit. I went to market in China for two weeks and when I came home? He’d had my bedroom redecorated to match his.”

Trevor’s jaw dropped. “Are you f**kin’ kidding me?”

“No. He’s so...smooth and charming he convinced the building manager to give him access to my apartment so he could surprise me.” She shuddered. “I put all the bedding in the trash—I made sure he knew I did it. Then I called the Salvation Army to haul away the furniture. That’s when I leapt at the chance to come here. I’ve been traveling on business the last month and I’m actually a little afraid to go home.”

“Ramona. Sweetheart. You have to call the cops.”

She shook her head. “And tell them what? This man who looks perfect on paper is a psychopath? He’s a respected businessman, Trevor.”

“Did you talk to your folks? Or your brothers? Or your cousins about this?”

She groaned. “Yes, I told Keely and she tattled to Cam. He freaked out. My God he is one scary-ass dude when he’s upset. I shudder to think what he’ll be like when Liesl starts dating. Anyway, he’s got an old Army buddy who lives in Seattle and he’s picking me up at the airport tomorrow. Part of me is pissed because I don’t want a damn babysitter. But another part of me is really relieved.”

“I’m relieved too. Keep in touch with us, okay?”

“I will. Now tell me about this addition Chet and Remy are putting on.”

When Edgard and Westin returned home, three vehicles, belonging to Colby, Colt and Ramona were parked in the drive.

“Papai, why are there people here?”

“No idea. Let’s go find out.”

Westin hesitated to get out of the truck.

“Something wrong?” He’d been his same helpful self during the cattle check, hopping out to open gates. He’d been quiet, but that was to be expected, given the day he’d had. So far they hadn’t addressed the “hitting is always wrong” issue—mostly because they weren’t sure it was wrong in this case. It’d forced everyone to deal with the issue—not just poor Westin alone.

“Do you think I should do pages in my workbook tonight since I’m kicked out of school?”

“Afraid you’ll fall behind?” he teased. “Of course you should do it. I’ll check it. That means I’ll expect the answers in English and Portuguese.”

Westin grinned and rattled off “I’ll show you” in Portuguese before he jumped out.

Inside the house Colby and Colt sat at the dining room table with Trevor.

“Hey, we’ve been waiting on you,” Trevor said.

“Where’s Chass?”

“She and Ramona are havin’ a tea party with Max and Sophia. Westin is supposed to go up and Chassie will come down so we can chat a bit.”

Westin groaned. “A tea party? Dad, do I have to?”

“Yep. Aunt Ramona mentioned playing Legos afterward.”

He tore off.

Colt chuckled. “The L word works every time, doesn’t it?”

Trevor kicked out the chair next to him. “Have a seat.”

Edgard noticed no one was drinking beer. Much as he could use one, he’d wait. Colt had been sober for years, but he respected the man too much to make him uncomfortable.

“Word of warning? Don’t ask what the powwow is about—that’ll get Chass’s back up.”

“Christ, Trev, did you really say that to her?”

“Once. She told me if I ever said it again she’d whap me upside the head with a cast iron skillet and then fill my ass with buckshot.”

Colt and Colby laughed.

Chassie sauntered in. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothin’, sweetheart, have a seat.”

She sat next to Trevor and blurted, “So Ramona called you?”

Colby nodded. “I’m glad she did ’cause I know you wouldn’t have.” His gaze encompassed all of them. “None of you would have. And that’s bullshit. We’re family.”

“I know what it’s like to want to fight your own battles,” Colt said, “but I also know when you need to ask for help.”

“How can you help us?”

Edgard reached for Chassie’s hand. “They’re helpin’ us just by bein’ here.”

She relaxed.

“So Sassy Chassie,” Colt started and grinned, “why in the hell would you send your kid to school in Moorcroft anyway? Because that’s where you went? As I recall, your school years were awful.”

“But I thought my experience might’ve just been me. My issue bein’ ethnic and poor. And Westin had a wonderful kindergarten teacher. The parents in his class seemed to like us and accept us.” Her nose wrinkled. “Well, most of them.”

Edgard looked at Colt. “You’re in the Moorcroft school district too. Doesn’t Hudson start kindergarten next year?”

“Yeah, but he’s goin’ to school in Sundance. That’s always been the plan.”

“Really?” Trevor asked. “Why?”

“Two reasons. The bus picks the kids up so damn early. There’s no reason for them to have to wait an hour to get to school and an hour to get home.”

Chassie gave Edgard a sheepish smile. “That’s what Ed said.”

“Smart man. The other reason is all Hudson’s cousins go to school in Sundance. There’s no mornin’ bus service, but Indy or I have to go to town anyway. And I know the kids; they watch out for each other.” Colt leaned over and poked Chassie’s arm. “Just like they would if Westin went to school with them.”

“Before you got here, Ramona was telling me how much she hated that you, she and Keely all went to different schools,” Trevor said.

“Where did Ramona go?” Edgard asked.

“Hulett.”

Colby leaned forward. “I’m gonna be blunt here, guys, okay? The worst thing you could do to Westin is pull him out of public school and homeschool him. Kids need friends and activities outside their siblings, parents and home environment. If you keep him sheltered, you’ve got no chance to prove to the people who think your situation is f**ked up, that there’s nothin’ wrong with it.”

Edgard had forgotten how intuitive Colby was. The man defined pragmatic and loyal. The three of them had shared good times during the years they traveled the rodeo circuit together. Edgard knew Trevor missed that close friendship.