Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders 16)

Macie’s gaze turned shrewd. “You’re talking about you and Casper.”

He shrugged. “I won’t lie. None of us particularly liked him, even from the time we were kids.” Carson looked down at his hands. He’d automatically clenched them into fists thinking about his brother. After Charlie had told him and Cal about the physical abuse Casper had inflicted on Dalton as a boy, he’d wished he could dig up that bastard so he could beat the f**k out of him one last time. He’d never hated anyone as much as he hated his brother in that moment. That old rage surfaced, tempting him to go looking for a fight. But he was pretty sure no one would take on a seventy-four-year-old man unless he cased the local retirement center.

“I’m glad that Casper’s sons have overcome brother-hating issues.” She patted his arm. “I’m really glad that none of your sons feel that way about each other either.”

“Me too. Luckily Colt’s got a forgiving nature or this’d be a different conversation, ’cause we screwed up with him even after he cleaned up his act.”

“Carter hated that he wasn’t around for any of that.”

“I’m glad he wasn’t. It put me, Cord and Colby in the judgmental ass**le zone.”

“But you straightened it out. As much as Carter loves having his own studio close to the house, I know he wishes sometimes we lived here, closer to his family.”

When Macie looked away quickly, Carson said, “And you feel guilty about that?”

“Well, yeah. I get to see my dad every day. Dad’s kids with Gemma and our kids are growing up like cousins, but that doesn’t replace the connection we both want them to have with their McKay cousins. Carter had that growing up and he wants that for our kiddos.”

“You’re visiting here at least every couple of months, and with your crazy schedules I’m happy your family can get here at all,” Carson pointed out.

“It requires a lot of juggling, but it’s worth it.”

“How many of my kids visit your family in Canyon River?”

“Colt and Indy and their brood were the most recent ones. But since they have the fewest kids of Carter’s siblings, it’s easier for them to get away. Jack and Keely used to come more often, but it got harder for them after they had the twins. Colby is helping Dad out with the bull riding school for a week this summer and Channing and the kids usually tag along. That’s always fun. Total chaos with ten kids. Then Ryder, Ella and Jansen don’t wanna be left out, so they’re usually over too.”

“Good thing you built that big house a few years back.” Carter and Macie’s sprawling ranch-style home was located on a beautiful vista on the outskirts of Gemma and Cash’s ranch and could easily accommodate all of the McKays.

“It’s a big change from the tiny trailer we lived in after we first got married and had the first two boys.”

“I remember them days. Only our first two boys remember livin’ in the trailer. Then again, we tend to play musical houses in the McKay family.”

Macie’s eyes narrowed on the paper sack on the chair beside Carson. “I’ve been so busy yammering I didn’t let you eat your sandwich.”

“I’d rather talk to you while I have the chance. Eatin’ alone don’t bother me.”

“Has anyone from the family come to check on you?”

“Dalton. And now you. I appreciate you stopping by. Tell the artiste—” a private joke between him and Carter, “—I’m glad he backed me.”

“I will.” She paused again. “Carson, I’m asking you one favor on Carter’s behalf. Maybe it seems strange coming from him, but I promised I’d mention it to you.”

“What’s that?”

“If Carolyn needs physical therapy during her recovery, please ask Keely to work with her. Not only is Keely really good at her job, it’d go a long way in proving that your reasons for keeping Carolyn isolated were situational and short term.”

That was something Carson hadn’t considered. He was just trying to get through each hour. It didn’t surprise him that Carter was trying to mend fences. He had so much of his mother in him: a kind heart, a fierce love and a stubborn streak. Sometimes as the youngest son his brothers had called him a mama’s boy, intending it as an insult. But Carson couldn’t think of a better compliment or a better person to aspire to be like than Carolyn McKay. “Not to worry. If Carolyn needs rehab, our daughter is the first one I’ll call.”

“Excellent.”

“Although, that girl did torture me after my hip replacement surgery with all her blasted exercises.”

“How is your hip?”

“Better,” he lied.

“Good. Take care of yourself. Know you and Carolyn are in a lot of people’s thoughts and prayers.”

After she’d gone he tore the paper wrapper off the sandwich. Although he was starving, he savored each bite.

Contemplations about sibling solidarity and rivalry had him thinking about Casper. How in all the years he thought he knew his brother…he really hadn’t. While he’d never excuse how Casper had treated his sons, Carson knew his brother’s life hadn’t turned out the way he’d expected. But as usual, Carson had borne the brunt of Casper’s bad decisions…

Half the time Carson didn’t know why his dad summoned him for his help. The man grumped around like an old bear. Today was no exception. Carson had been delegated gate opener. With Cord propped on his hip, he shut the gate and walked over to where his dad unsaddled his horse.

His father didn’t look up when he said, “Ain’t exactly handy carting a kid around when we’re supposed to be movin’ cattle.”

“Carolyn was too damn sick to even get outta bed this mornin’. What was I supposed to do? Leave Cord bawlin’ in his crib?”

“Shouldn’t she be over mornin’ sickness by now?” he demanded. “This is the second time this week you’ve had to drag Cord along.”

Like Carolyn had purposely spent the morning throwing up because she wanted to inconvenience Jed McKay. “If she ain’t better by tomorrow I’m takin’ her to the doctor.”

“So you’ll miss a day of work.”

“Last I knew you had three other sons who could take up the slack for one damn day,” Carson retorted.

“Cow! Mmmooo,” Cord said, pointing to the cattle slowly making their way to the stock tank.