S toney saddled up Button and headed up into the trees, barely holding his shit together. What had Ty been thinking? Ford Nixel hated him with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, and Ty knew that. Ty knew that.
Why on earth would he call Ford in without telling Stoney? Without any warning? They’d talked about how sick Ty was or wasn’t a hundred times. Stoney could handle this.
Hell, he knew Ford was going to inherit his part, but he…. He what?
Was going to buy Ford out?
Like he’d ever be able to afford that.
He’d just been hoping like hell he’d have a better plan than work his ass off and still not get anywhere.
Stoney had been putting off making any improvements to the guest areas until he got the lease renewed, but Aaron Harris over at the BLM had been putting him off for weeks. He was just going down in flames.
This was…. God help him, living on this ranch was one of the few things he’d done right in his life. Living and working the ranch and raising Quartz. Folks didn’t understand that. That he was doing the only things he knew how to do.
Button danced, and Stoney realized he was communicating his worry to her, that he was making her nervous with his bad energy. Horses were so sensitive to that shit.
“Sorry. Sorry. Let’s just run, baby girl. Let’s go.” They wouldn’t run, of course, the terrain was too wild, too unstable, and he wouldn’t risk her for love or money, much less for a fucking temper tantrum.
Still, Stoney gave her all the rein she needed to take her head, and she took off at a gentle canter. That would work, get them both out of their moods.
How the hell was he going to manage this? To work with Ford? To… to forgive Ty for not at least talking to him first, like he was just some employee, some manager.
This was his home, right?
God, what if Ford tried to get rid of him and Quartz? He couldn’t make them go legally, but he could make it awful for them. Forty-five percent. That was what he owned.
Forty-five percent and Ty had done that on purpose, he guessed, so Stoney didn’t have the chance to be an equal partner, and he got that, he did. He wasn’t really family; he wasn’t really anything but a broke-dick cowboy working a hunting lodge.
“God damn it!” he yelled, the birds flying up out of the trees. Great, now he was scaring the wildlife. If he didn’t need to be there for Quartz, he could just pray for a bear attack.
Stoney started laughing, the sound not the least bit happy. He’d come up here, and he’d known, from the second he’d stepped foot on the Leanin’ N, that this was the answer to his problems, this was his way out of the mess he was.
He’d sacrificed what little he had left to stay too. He’d sacrificed whatever he might have been building with Ford. College had been a loss for him, so that hadn’t been hard to give up, but Ford—
Well, an up-and-comer like Ford would never have stayed with a loser like him. A loser who was failing out of UNM, who was living on ramen and saltines while Ford was driving a brand-new car, eating out every day, and rocking his 4.0.
God, the son of a bitch had been a wet dream come to life. Dark headed with the deepest green eyes Stoney had ever seen, and, Christ almighty, Ford had been so sensual, so out there, coming on to him and turning him inside out. Stoney had been stupid for the fine motherfucker.
Ford had seemed pretty over the moon for Stoney too, but now he wondered…. If it had been that easy to just dump his ass, it must have been sex alone.
Hell, they’d been kids. Twenty-year-old kids from opposite sides of the universe. Maybe they’d both been idiots and all these years were more about the ranch than anything…. Oh, fuck, he could ponder the reasons forever, and it wouldn’t matter.
Ford Nixel hated his guts.
Not only that, but Ford had control of the ranch and the future of Stoney’s little boy.
He closed his eyes. Okay. Okay, it was damned near suppertime, and he needed to get back, go have dinner like a civilized, polite feller. Quartz needed him to play the game.
Maybe he could just keep Quartz in and they could have peanut butter and banana sandwiches in front of the TV.
Then again, his kid would never forgive him for not letting him in on anything new and different at the ranch, including an older second cousin he’d never met. Ford had sent flowers to Brit’s funeral, but that was it.
“Shit, Brittany. What the fuck am I going to do?” He chuckled as he asked the question, because Brit had been the least capable human being on earth. She’d loved the river, and that was it. Not even Quartz had changed that fact, no matter how much everyone had expected it to. She was an addict. If it was about rafting or kayaking, she could do it. Ranch work, well, not so much.
At least she died doing what she loved, he guessed.
Oh, who the fuck was he kidding? She was supposed to be here helping take care of her son. Loving Quartz. Stoney adored the boy, but Quartz could have used a woman’s influence.
Maybe that’s what Ford could do.
God, he cracked himself right the fuck up. He nudged Button back toward the house, his belly rumbling. Hunger was finally going to be what beat him down. Sad state of affairs.
He walked out his mount when he got back to the barn, just like he’d told Quartz to do. Lead by example, Ty had always told him. Stoney wondered what Ty meant to show him by way of example with this latest stunt.
Maybe that he wasn’t worth trusting without Ty there.
Stoney sighed. That wasn’t fair. Ty had been away more than he’d been at the ranch for two years. Maybe he was sicker than Stoney knew. Scared. Whatever. The only thing Stoney had to his name was this ranch, and he had a son to support.
He didn’t have the luxury of pride.
He put Button up after a few sips of water and a handful of feed, then went to wash up. Geoff would serve up supper soon.
“Daddy! Daddy, you went for a long ride. Were you mad?” His boy might not be the most agile socially, but he paid attention.
“Just stressed out and needing to let it go. Put myself in time out.”
Quartz nodded. “I drew a roller coaster to build.”
“Did you? Show me.” He loved his kid’s drawings. Quartz designed these amazing flights of fancy.
He sat in his chair, tugging his work boots off while Quartz went to fetch his drawings from the kitchen table. “Look! See? It has a loop and a big dip.”
“Dude, that would make folks scream like idiots, wouldn’t it?”
“Not you, Daddy.”
“No sir. Not me.” He didn’t lose his shit in front of anyone. Not under any circumstance.
“See? My daddy is brave.” Quartz glanced at him from under his lashes. “Who’s here to see Grandpa?”
“Your second cousin, Ford. He is your momma’s cousin.”
“Oh. I’ve never met him.” Quartz watched him, waiting to see if he should be upset or happy.
“No, you haven’t. He looks a lot like your momma. He’s a lawyer. He lives in Santa Fe.”
“That’s in New Mexico. Are we going to supper?”
“It is and we are. Let me get cleaned up right quick, okay, son?” God, he didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay in here and watch NCIS and have a stiff drink.
“I’m hungry, Daddy.”
“I know. I get it. Let me grab a clean shirt. Get my going-to-supper boots?”
“Yessir.” Quartz ran off and grabbed his boots.
Stoney pulled on a fresh shirt and tucked it in.
Lord, help him make it through supper without saying a word. Well, at least not a bad word. He didn’t talk at all, Quartz would know something was wrong.
Maybe he could stick with “pass the salt,” “another roll please,” and “kiss my ass, you motherfucker.”
Oh wait. That last one would be bad.
He chuckled at the thought, though, didn’t he? Stoney liked it.
He tugged on his boots before they headed to the big communal dining area. They ate out here nine nights out of ten, all of them a family.
His mouth tugged down. Ty was leaving them.
“Daddy?”
“What, son?”
“It’s dinnertime.”
“I know, buddy. We’re here, right?” Though no one else was. Huh.
“Uh-huh. Where’s Grandpa?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you see if Geoff needs help?” He would go hunt down the assholes who were disappointing his son. With a club.
He grabbed his phone and texted Ty. “Where y’at?”
“On my way. Was in the storeroom with Ford.”
Ty could text like a fiend.
“K.” Next he texted Angie “Git here with the crew. Do NOT leave me to this or ur dead.”
“On it, bud,” she sent back.
His phone chimed twice more—Doogie and Geoff checking in. Yeah. His team loved him.
He found the chair in the corner and closest to the door. He was out of here as soon as he could do it without pissing off Ty.
Miranda showed up first, grinning and winking. “I made it. Anything I shouldn’t be talking about?”
“Just let me get out of speaking and I’ll be happy. I just want to sit and eat.” He wanted to tell her that Ty had sold out, but that wasn’t his tale to tell.
“Okay.”
Angie came trotting in, eyes bright with curiosity. “So is that really Ty’s nephew?”
“He is. Lawyer from Santa Fe. Older than Brittany. My age.”
“Huh. Baggage.” Angie studied him, nodding when he just stared back. “Lots.”
“Tons. Twelve years’ worth.”
“Ouch.” She knew him, knew his history.
“Twelve what, Daddy?” Quartz wandered in carrying plates and bowls. “Geoff says family-style tonight.”
“Does he need help, son?”
“Way to deflect,” Angie muttered.
He wanted to kick her, but she was saved when Ty walked in with Doogie and Ford.
“Quartz found us and informed us he was hungry,” Ty said, and Stoney answered with a half smile. Quartz wasn’t shy about letting folks know what he needed.
“Good thing too,” Ford murmured. “Ty was getting puny.”
“Sit, huh. You let us fetch and carry.” He stood and helped Ty to a chair. “Stubborn old fuck. You’re wearing yourself out.”
“I’m fine.” Ty gave him a mutinous look but then grinned at Quartz. “This is your momma’s cousin, Ford.”
Quartz gave Ford a long look. “You live in New Mexico.”
“I do. I also have an office in Aspen.” Ford nodded easily, not really smiling, but not being ugly. “Nice to meet you, Quartz.”
“Nice to meet you.” Quartz nodded, the motion so adult, so firm. “I’m going to go help Geoff with the soup.”
“Thanks, kiddo. Geoff can always use a hand.” He praised, because Quartz wasn’t melting down, was focused and helpful.
Quartz nodded and hustled out while Ty did the introductions. Stoney moved back to his chair in the shadows where he could watch without being seen.
Ford looked damn good. No lines around his eyes, hair dark and sleek as a raven’s wing, classy as fuck. Of course he did. He’d always been meant for fine things, that Ford.
Quartz brought the bread in, holding it carefully, and Geoff brought the tureen. Every single time Stoney saw the hipster, lumberjack chic, metrosexual, yoga guru, vegetarian chef he smiled. Every time.
Crazy fucker.
Ford stared a little, and yeah, surprise! Stoney loved that shocked look. He shouldn’t be a jerk, but he had to stifle a laugh. Geoff was a force to be reckoned with, and the man had a huge heart.
A crazy brain, but a huge heart.
Geoff beamed at all of them. “Gang’s all here, huh? Hi, I’m Geoff. You must be Ford. Ty says you’re a busy guy. Thanks for coming.”
Ford blinked at him, then held out one hand. “Pleased.”
“Let me put down the soup, and I’ll get a hug. I’m a hugger.”
Ford took on the expression of a pit bull being lifted onto a vet table. Pure God no .
Oh, that was too fucking funny.
Geoff put the tureen on the table and grabbed Ford. Geoff didn’t give man hugs. Oh no. This was full-on, holding tight and being in touch with your personal feelings embracing.
It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Stiff as a board, Ford patted Geoff’s back. “Uh. Thanks.”
“Nice to meet you, man. Let’s eat!” Geoff served with Quartz, humming softly, smiling at everyone but Ford.
“This is Angie and Miranda,” Ty said when he settled, grabbing his napkin.
“I’m head of sales and marketing, and Miss Angie is….” Mira trailed off.
“Just a wrangler and just Angie.”
“Good to meet you both.” Ford glanced at Stoney, lips tightening, “Stoney.”
“Mmhmm.” Ford was well aware of who he was.
“Well, this is cozy.” Geoff plopped down, drawing Ford’s attention. “Lawyer, huh?”
“I am, yes. I do mostly Native American land and water rights.”
“Yeah? Rock on, dude. That’s important sh… stuff. That’s honorable work. You live close by?”
“Santa Fe.”
Yeah, Ford didn’t mention he lived part of the year in Aspen but he’d never met Quartz. Not that Stoney was bitter.
To be honest, it was best that Ford stayed away from his son. The man was trouble.
Okay, Ford wasn’t trouble, but Stoney still didn’t want him here.
“Nice.” Geoff chuckled. “I worked at the Plaza Café for six weeks.”
Seriously? Had Geoff worked everywhere on earth? He’d never heard the man not say, “I worked at Whatever Random Restaurant for Some Tiny Amount of Time.”
“Traveler, huh?” Ford relaxed some, nodding and smiling. “Where was your favorite job?”
“I love it here, but the best job ever was at a little joint called Hank’s in Monterey. Impossible to afford a place there, though.”
“God, yeah.” Ford laughed. “The sea lions are cool.”
“And the fog. I loved the fog.” Geoff bounced. “You’re familiar with the area, I take it.”
“I love Monterey. I did a case there over military encroachment. I wasn’t popular.”
Ford kept talking, and Stoney stopped listening, eating his soup and trying to focus on tomorrow’s list. He wanted to move the cattle down into the low pasture, and he needed to figure out whether he should grade the driveway now or just wait for spring.
“Right, Stoney?” Ty was glaring at him.
“Hmm?” Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why did Ty insist on humiliating him?
“That wedding canceled, right? Can we get those hunters to commit to November?”
“The wedding did cancel. I’m working on the hunters from Texas, yes.” That wasn’t his motherfucking job; it was Mira’s.
Mira stammered at Ty. “Assuming, of course, the lease—”
“I have a meeting with the BLM rep tomorrow in Aspen.” Ford waved a hand. “Get the hunters scheduled.”
The staff all blinked, then looked to Stoney as if they were one person. Damn. “We’ll chat, Mira. No worries.”
He kept his voice calm, easy. No way he was letting anyone know how mad he was.
“Okay.” She nodded and broke off a piece of bread. “This is great, Geoff.”
When he glanced at Ford, the man was staring intently at him, fairly emotionless. He raised an eyebrow, and then he let himself smile, cool as he could.
Ford snorted audibly, which had Angie offering him a red bandana. “Nose problems?”
Oh, that was his Ang. That woman had his back.
“Daddy, is your soup good?”
“Huh? It is, yes.” He took a bite, but it tasted like dust.
“I chopped. Before I went out with Doogie. I like cheffing.”
“Did you? Excellent. I like the onions.”
“Thank you!” The littlest bit of praise made his kid beam.
Geoff nodded easily. “He’s a champ.”
“He is.” Stoney winked at Geoff. “You’ll have him making Thanksgiving supper in no time.”
“You know it. My celery buddy.”
“I like celery with peanut butter.”
“I like it with pimento cheese,” Stoney countered.
“I like it with squeezy cheese,” Angie said, and Quartz groaned.
“Ewww.”
He leaned close, whispered softly. “Squee-ee-eezy cheese.”
Quartz made more ick noises, but Ford chuckled warmly. “Bacon squeezy cheese.”
Stoney shot Ford a quick look, and damn if he didn’t almost smile. Fucker.
“Oh, God. On Triscuits,” Angie murmured. “You and me, Mr. Nephew. Midnight.”
“You’re on.”
Stoney did chuckle this time, and then he pushed his chair back and picked up his bowl. “I hope y’all can excuse me. I’m having a bit of a cramp.”
“Are you done, Daddy? I’ll go with you.” Quartz was done. Stoney could see it on his son’s little face.
“I am. Tell your grandpa good night.”
“There’s sweet potato pie. Take some for later when you both feel better,” Geoff said, giving him a knowing look full of sympathy.
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” He cut two good-sized pieces. “Night, y’all.”
“Night, Grandpa.” Quartz pecked Ty’s cheek. Then he bobbed his head at Ford. “Night.”
“Good night, Quartz.” Ford’s tone was genuinely kind.
“Good night. Come on, Daddy. We need our quiet time together.”
Yes. Yes, they did. They watched silly TV and ate dessert together and did Quartz’s schoolwork. By the time that he got his happy ass to bed with a stiff drink in hand, he was almost not pondering homicide.
Almost.