Cowboy Lullaby (The Boones of Texas 6)

said, wearing a tolerant smile.

“I was taught to be a gentleman, Mrs. Boone,” he responded. “Took a lot of nerve to ask me to dance. Didn’t want to ding her confidence by telling her she broke a few of my toes.”

Evelyn shook her head, glancing at the young girl. “Looks like you made her night.” She paused. “So, Click, what have you been up to since last you were here?”

“Work.” His attention wandered around the room, alarm bells ringing. Evelyn was looking for dirt on him. Did she think he was going to open up to her? She might never have insulted him to his face, caused a scene and humiliated him thoroughly, but she’d stood by when her husband had.

“You earn your living on the road, like your father?” she asked. “Driving trucks?”

Click swallowed, refusing to let her words get to him. She didn’t know how he felt about his father, and he kept it buried deep down. “No, ma’am.”

“I think Lynnie mentioned you rodeo’d a bit?” she asked. “Then you worked at the Sanchez place, training cutting horses, for a bit, too?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, knowing full well Lynnie hadn’t shared this much information with Evelyn Boone. He’d never rodeo’d, too expensive for him. But he’d scouted stock for a couple of the rodeo companies. He had a good eye and enjoyed the work, travel and regular paycheck.

“And now? Are you still on the rodeo circuit or working for Mr. Sanchez?”

He grinned. “I’ve been training the last few years.” The work made him happy.

His father had delivered horses to the Sanchez place a handful of times when Click had been stuck on the road with him. The first time he saw Mr. Sanchez working with horses, he’d known what he wanted to do with his life. From then on, Click begged to go back, watching the trainers at work and taking notes. When he got old enough, Mr. Sanchez offered him an apprenticeship. He hadn’t earned a dime. But he’d had food in his stomach, a bed to sleep in and the opportunity to learn a skill he was fervent about.

He’d learned how key the team’s connection was, finding the right partner for the horse and the rider. It was a damn personal thing. He took it seriously and, as a result, had earned a reputation as a quality trainer.

“Seems fitting, with your nickname and all. I remember you hanging out at the corrals in boots too big and a hat down over your ears, clicking at our horses. Always amazed me to see how they took to you, you being so little and all.” She nodded.

He didn’t mean to stare, but he’d never expected to hear flattery in any form from Evelyn Boone.

Her brows rose. “Well, I’m glad the Sanchez family is giving you work—”

“I’ve been on my own for a while, going from ranch to ranch and working with the horses and handlers.” Being on the road had given him the freedom to work all over. Besides, he didn’t have the facilities the Sanchez family had. Hell, he barely had a pot to piss in.

But now... He could do it right now, thanks to Lynnie. The idea blossomed, his mind already mapping how he’d set the place up. Possibly.

“Beautiful baby girl,” she said, nodding at Pearl and Tandy on the dance floor.

He followed her gaze. Tandy was smiling, holding one of Pearl’s hands as she rocked his daughter to the beat of the music. Pearl’s giggle flooded Click with relief. His daughter was happy. Granted, she was in Tandy’s arms...

He nodded. At times he wondered why he’d been given something so delicate and beautiful to care for. Hard work was in his blood. Dealing with challenges and risks had become second nature. But chasing after something so tiny, so fragile, made him downright nervous. Pearl had already slipped off the bed once, landing on her back instead of her feet. He’d held his breath as he scooped her up, terrified she was hurt.

“Ow,” she’d announced, frowning.

“You okay?” he’d asked, running his hands over her back and arms.

She nodded. “Ow.”

“Yes, ma’am, big ow.” He’d stared into those big light brown eyes and taken a breath.

She’d smiled, clapped her hands and run off as soon as he’d put her on her two feet. So not as fragile as he thought—but not as sturdy as he was used to.

“Good to see a man smitten with his daughter,” Evelyn said, placing her hand on his arm. “Shows he has a good heart.”

He glanced at the woman. There was more to her words, there had to be. Unless this cordiality and interest was on her husband’s behalf? Surely Woodrow had told her about his hope to buy Lynnie’s land now that Lynnie was no longer around to fight for it. Damn, the whole town was probably waiting to see how this would play out. The Wallace-Boone feud had provided years of steady entertainment. Lynnie’s land, who would get it, what they’d do with it, could be a game changer.

And this time, he was the one holding all the cards.

The music came to an end and Click made his escape, offering a murmured excuse and a tip of the hat as he made his way back to his table.

“Da da,” Pearl said, smiling up at him.