Cowboy Up (Lucas Brothers)
“I love you, Blue. I do. The truth is you are so much like me it’s scary. You lash out to try and save yourself from getting hurt.”
“Now you’re trying to make me sound like a pussy,” I mutter.
“No more than Miffy is,” she laughs. “You just like to play one. Where are those damn dogs anyway?”
“Who knows?” I ask, looking around the room. “Miffy wanted an itch scratched this morning. There’s a chance she’s letting poor Seymour have his way again.”
“Maybe you should learn from Seymour to be patient.”
“Mom, it’s been over nine years, and I’m still crazy about her despite the fact she’s been married and had a kid by another man. I’d call that pretty damn patient.”
“You pushed her away all those years ago, Blue.”
“I did not.”
“Horse feathers. You wanted to stick your nose where it didn’t belong.”
“That’s not how it went down, and while we’re talking so freely, how in the hell do you know everything?”
“I’m a mom. It’s my job. Kids like to think they hide everything from their parents, but trust me, you don’t. You live under our roof. There’s nothing secret.”
I grunt.
“To get back on track here, the one thing your brothers did that you aren’t is showing their women they love them. You’ve treated Meddie like the enemy for so long that it’s become a way of life for you. Even when you’re trying to be nice, it still bleeds through. You need to stop.”
I scrub my hand over my face, knowing she’s right. “It’s going to be hard to show her anything when she’s avoiding me like the plague,” I point out.
She reaches over and pats the side of my face. “What’s your last name, boy?” she asks, looking directly at me.
I grimace. “Lucas.”
“Exactly. The Lucas clan always finds a way. If it requires kidnapping, handcuffs, or blackmail, it’ll all come out in the wash. Now go get our girl.”
“Blackmail?” I ask my eyes going wide.
“Just a suggestion. If you choose it, you might want to make her want to give in first. Women like to pretend they don’t have a choice when they decide on something they know might be bad for them. Kind of like your sister Mary says she’s on her period when she downs a pint of chocolate ice cream.”
“I thought you women craved things during that time of the month thing,” I question.
“She has chocolate ice cream every Friday, Blue. If she’s bleeding that much, she’d be dead. Any-who, I’m late. Me and Leddie are going out today to get our hair done. If you’re interested that will mean Meddie will be all alone, and it’s bathing day at the shelter. You could start showing her how handy you are to have around.”
I just stare at her.
“I don’t think bathing dogs will prove she should fall in love with me, Mom.”
“Ever heard of baby steps, Moonie? Besides, she already loves you. You just need to make her remember she likes it.”
With that she walks away and closes the door. Leaving me alone in a house where Miffy picks this exact moment to howl like she’s dying. A heartbeat later I hear her hiss and Seymour cry out.
It sounds like Miffy got tired of letting Seymour have his fun. I can’t help but worry if Meadow will be just as vicious.
Chapter 18
Meadow
I close my eyes as Mom and Ida Sue leave. I lean against the counter and drag air into my lungs. I’m feeling dizzy and lightheaded today, but at least I don’t feel like vomiting. That’s an improvement. I have a doctor’s appointment next week. At this point, it’s just a formality. I’m pregnant. I’ve accepted it. What I don’t know is what to do with Blue.
I shake it off and then notice the garbage by the door. The dumpster gets emptied today. I’m going to have to lug that out. It’s just one large garbage bag, but it’s more than I want to tackle. Still, there’s no one else. With a weary sigh, I go over to the bag lugging it toward the door. There’s not a lot in it but litter and the daily junk that always seems to collect, so it’s not heavy but definitely awkward to carry.
I get it out the door and start down the sidewalk when the dizziness I’ve been fighting hits me, and I stumble and almost fall. I do my best to keep myself upright. I hear a thundering noise like dogs running toward me. I’m afraid they somehow got out of the kennels out back, but I can’t lift my head or focus. The world seems to be spinning. I drop the bag, planning on finding the bench that is on the side of the sidewalk and sitting until it eases. Before I can do that however, I feel strong hands grab my arms—steadying me.