“SO, happy that wedding season is over, babe?” Ford teased, knowing Stoney was through with weddings until maybe next April. They’d run all the way into late September this year.
“You know it. I didn’t know groomzillas were a thing until this year. Fuck a duck sideways.”
The last wedding had had not just one, but two.
“Well, we got a couple more grooms coming,” Ford said, watching to see if Stoney lost his shit.
“No.” That was firm, sure, and damn near mean. “You promised Halloween and the Christmas season was it for the rest of the year. You promised me a week in Cancún.”
“Whoa. Whoa, babe.” He put one hand on Stoney’s shoulder. “Of course I did. I just mean the Harris-Porter pair and their girls are coming up for fall break. Geoff promised Lucia he would show her how to make flood iced cookies before the holidays.” He had no idea what the hell that meant….
“They’re the ones that got reengaged here, huh?” Stoney relaxed under his hand. “That’s nice. Geoff loves little ones.”
“He’s good with them.”
“Dad, did you know we have guests coming this weekend?” Quartz was so damn grown-up these days it stunned him. “Hey, Uncle Ford. I have plans with Curtis and Jason, remember? We’re going to work on our science fair project?”
“I remember, son.” Stoney smiled at his boy. “I’ve already talked with Jason’s mom. She’s picking you up.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
“No problem, kiddo. You know school comes before work.” Ford had kinda grown up the other way, so he tried to help Stoney find that balance for Quartz.
“Yeah, I know. Dad’s just tired. I can tell.” Quartz winked at Ford. “Seriously, you should take the man out to supper at a real restaurant. One that requires you to wear shirts and not have horseshit on your boots.”
“Ah, man, the diner in Glenwood is out.” Ford winked. “I actually have plans for your dad when you have fall break in two weeks.” He was going to take Stoney to Vegas for the big bull riding finals.
“No shit?”
“Quartz! Language!” Stoney looked up at him, pretty eyes wide. “You do? I mean, we have plans?”
“I mean, we’re going out of town. Quartz wanted to go to the Junction anyway. We’ll fly out there.” Oh, look at that surprise.
He needed to remember that, as much as Stoney loved the Leaning N, his man needed the change of scenery, a chance to not be a dad or a boss or an owner.
Sometimes Stoney just needed to be Ford’s.
That was how it was when you got married, right? You had to work at it. Had to make yourself happy, as well as all those other people.
Ford had a feeling the Harris-Porter clan would agree with him.
“So what do the groom and groom want?” Stoney asked, taking his hand as they headed to the kitchen.
“Just a vacation, I think. The two of them with their girls. Reid said they were moving into a bigger house—one with a studio and an office. They’re talking about adopting another baby once the youngest is in school full-time.”
“Oh, wow. So, gourmet kid food?”
“You know it. Mac and cheese and spaghetti with meatballs.”
“Geoff will be tickled as shit.” Stoney rubbed a lazy circle against his hand. “We’re really heading somewhere? Just the two of us?”
“Las Vegas. Nevada, not New Mexico.” They’d done that one weekend to check out an amazing hotel redo.
“Oh? No shit?” Stoney pinked and ducked his head, lips curling in a little smile. “We going to stay on the Strip and see the sights?”
“We are. I got us a room at the Wynn, and we’ll go to the Thomas and Mack at least once….” His man did love rodeo and such.
“The big bull riding?” Stoney turned and beamed at him. Oh, he was so getting laid tonight. “For real?”
“Yessir.” He stopped just short of the kitchen. “Does that earn me a kiss?”
“Honey, that earns you a blowjob. As a starter.”
Shit, why hadn’t he done this before?
Oh, right. Wedding season.
Good thing Tanner handled hunting season these days. Stoney only had a few clients he took out, and none of them would be up this year.
“I’ll hold you to it.” Ford took that kiss he’d asked for, anyway. “You think there’s pizza tonight?”
Stoney leaned into him. “We’re having chili. I have a craving.”
“Geoff will make me pizza for lunch tomorrow.” That was the best thing about being the boss. “I love you, babe.”
“Good goddamn thing too. We’re surrounded by weddings. It takes a lot of commitment to make these things work without any homicides.”
“Ah, yeah. But better homicide….”
“Than anything else….”
He grinned at Stoney before pulling the man in for one more kiss. He loved Stoney, and he loved their life together.
Even when all they could deal with at any given time was another wedding….