Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders 4)

“Better not mention me sneaking out to see you in the bunkhouse last night, huh?

They’d really be putting the boots to your very fine ass.”

Justin hissed, “Will you keep it down? They have loaded guns. And I know they ain’t afraid to use me as target practice.”

Keely balanced on the tips of her funky cowboy boots decorated with flames and rhinestones, to whisper something in Justin’s ear. His face burned beet red. He grabbed her hand and hauled her outside.

“Before you ask, yes, she’s every bit as wild as you’ve heard.”

“Chass, hon, you have a minute?” Trevor yelled into the tent.

“Hang on.” Chassie passed Eliza back to Skylar. “Duty calls. See you later.”

Skylar was alone again. It was a bizarre feeling to consider these people were Eliza’s family; yet, they weren’t Sky’s family.

They could be if you’d say yes to Kade’s proposal.

She had been thinking about it, but like India had pointed out, Sky never did anything impulsively. And what was the hurry? They were already living together. She meandered into the yard and saw groups clustered everywhere. A few she recognized—

Kade’s father and his uncles. Older women. A few guys a decade younger than Kade with the same coloring who had to be more cousins she hadn’t met yet.

“Amazing, isn’t it? All these good-looking men. Most of them still single. Makes you wonder what’s wrong with them, doesn’t it? Besides the fact they’re ornery cowboys.”

Sky turned. The woman was as plain looking as she was plainspoken. Stick straight mousy brown hair nearly hid her heart-shaped face. She wasn’t tall; she wasn’t short. She wasn’t fat; she wasn’t skinny. She was sturdy. A woman who’d blend into the background. The typical Wyoming ranch wife. “Have we met?”

“No, but I’ve heard all about you. I’m Libby McKay. Quinn is my husband. I’d introduce you to him, but he abandoned me like he always does.”

“Kade disappeared too.”

“Better get used to it. Then again, you’ve proven your worth by popping one out, and a girl McKay at that. Wow. Quite an accomplishment.”

Skylar didn’t know how to respond. It made her wonder if she’d acted aloof when talking to Kade’s assorted family members. Was constantly searching for Kade’s familiar face considered rude? Is that why this woman felt she’d found a kindred spirit? Or was there another reason behind her bitterness?

“Sorry. That was totally uncalled for. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.

Quinn always complains that I wouldn’t say shit if I had a mouthful.” Libby smiled and it was genuinely sweet. “Congratulations on your baby. She’s gorgeous. You must be thrilled.”

“I am, thank you. Do you have children?”

“No. Probably why I’m so defensive about it, huh?”

Again, Sky kept quiet.

“I’ll fill you in, since I see the questions in your eyes but you’re too polite to ask, which will change once you’re firmly in the bosom of the buttinsky McKays. Quinn and I have been married the longest of any of his cousins and we’re the only ones without kids.

So at family functions I hear that question over and over, until I snap at perfect strangers.” She smiled again. “Ignore me. Everyone else does.” Her eyes focused on an object over Skylar’s shoulder. “Well, well, speak of the ignorant devil. There’s my darling husband now. I’ll head him off at the pass and spare you from our marital spat.”

Libby met a stocky man with his hat pulled down so low Sky couldn’t see his face.

They fought. Not loudly, but body language spoke more than words anyway. The fight didn’t last long. Libby stomped off and her husband didn’t chase her down. He just watched her go. Didn’t appear airing family grievances was better than keeping them bottled up for Quinn and Libby. The scene bothered Sky enough that she knew she’d forego her usual none-of-your-business mantra and ask Kade about his cousin’s situation later.

At loose ends, she spied Carolyn and Kimi taping down tablecloths on the long picnic tables and headed that direction. “Need help?”

“Nope. Soon as I finish I’m gonna take my granddaughter off your hands.”

“Sounds good.”

Kimi’s smile died when she looked at Carolyn, who’d gone absolutely still.

“Caro? What’s wrong?”

Carolyn took off like a bat out of hell and ran across the yard.

All conversation everywhere ended abruptly.

A lone figure loped down the driveway. The duffel bag in his hand dropped to the dirt as Carolyn launched herself at him. He spun her around and she was sobbing so loudly they all heard her.

Kimi gasped softly. “Oh my God. That’s Cam.”

Carson hurried past. Keely shrieked and she was running down the driveway.

“Who’s Cam?” Skylar asked.

“Cameron McKay. Carolyn and Carson’s son who’s been in Iraq.”

“They didn’t know he was coming?”

“No.”

Carter, Colby, Cord and Colt hustled by. As soon as the group finished their private reunion, the remaining family members rushed to meet him.

Although it made her feel like a voyeur, it was one of the most poignant scenes Sky had ever witnessed and she turned away in embarrassment to hide her tear-stained face.

Damn hormones.

But Sky also realized that no matter what happened between her and Kade, Eliza would always be welcomed with open arms in this loving, tight-knit family.

Chapter Seventeen

Kimi bounded back to the seating area where Skylar hung on the periphery. “It’s good to see Cam home in one piece, even if it is only for a few days. Every time he’s gotten leave in the last few years, something awful happens over there and it’s cancelled.”

Skylar searched the McKay crowd for Kade. “That’s too bad.”

“Sweetie, I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The, ‘I’m a new mother and I’m always exhausted’ look. The ‘who in the heck are all these people’ look. The ‘where did my man wander off to’ look.”

Even through her melancholy, Sky was mightily amused by Kade’s mother. “You recognize all those looks on me already, Kimi?”

“Yep, and this time Kade had nothing to do with it. Here, lemme take Eliza for a bit.

Why don’t you sneak into the house where it’s quiet?”