Part 8 (1/2)

”She never comes out to visit?” Maddox asked.

When they emerged out of the pines onto Haystack Road, the dipping sun blasted them in the face. In unison, they flipped down their visors.

”Sometimes you just need to get out of there,” David said. ”You know what I mean.”

”Boy, do I.”

”And why I stick around. I'm a rancher. It's what I do. My dad, Mitch's older brother,” David looked over at Maddox like he was trying to make a point, ”was half owner of the Double O. I'm sure you know he died when I was a kid. I gotta make sure the place keeps running.”

”Looks like Mitch has it under control.”

David flicked the toothpick out the window, s.h.i.+fted in his seat. ”All of us kids have a stake in the place. I'm not leavin' my land. Someday I'll take my share and do things my way.”

Maddox couldn't figure out how that would work and couldn't imagine there being too many ways to run a ranch. You chase cows around and feed them. He a.s.sumed at some point you sold some because money had to come from somewhere. ”Wouldn't you all still be on top of each other? Why don't you have Mitch pay you out for your share, and you set up shop somewhere else?”

The expression Maddox saw on David's face, and the way the other man shook his head told him he didn't get it. And Maddox would admit he didn't, so he decided to talk about something else.

”How come you don't hang out with your mom and sister more?” He'd been wondering about the cool treatment David gave his mother at branding camp. Everyone else in the family seemed to enjoy each other's company.

”I didn't know we were playing twenty questions tonight.”

Maddox conceded he sounded like a chick with his interrogation. He hadn't had enough to occupy his mind lately. Usually, when he and David had a beer on the porch, they talked sports. That seemed to be it for common ground, but it worked.

”Sorry, man,” Maddox mumbled.

David tipped his white straw cowboy hat back on his head and rubbed his free hand over his face. ”Things got complicated when Dad and Margo, that's Chanel's mom, died. I don't know. Guess everybody forgot where they fit in around here.”

A liquid chill filled Maddox's veins. Chanel's mother was dead. That explained a lot about her. Shame for thinking the woman had run off quickly followed. And was David saying...?

”Mitch and your mom, they hooked up, didn't they?”

David shot him a glare.

”Easy there. Honest question.” Maddox held his hands in front of him as if to ward off a blow.

”I don't like to talk about it. Anyhow, I stay around to keep an eye on things. That's how Dad would've wanted it. I go to town to see Faith. Someday, if I can ever figure out how to get out of the bunkhouse, I'll marry her and bring her out.”

Nodding in response, Maddox held his tongue until they got to town. There was some sort of power struggle amongst the Ebers. He wondered if anyone was aware of it outside of David.

His phone started dinging as they hit the city limits: texts from Hollace, several girls, and a few other friends. Apparently, the news of his whereabouts had spread. Maddox was sure many of his teammates had relished in sharing it. He ran his thumb over the screen, debating over to whom he should reply. Having the phone in his hand again felt good. It was a comfort to be linked to the rest of the world. Despite that, he wasn't overly excited to converse with most of these people. That was a weird feeling.

David pulled his truck into a parking spot beside the Leaning Camel Bar and Grill. A peeling sign depicted a dizzy looking camel propped up against a palm tree. It looked as out of place in Clifford's Bend as Maddox felt.

”You need a lift home tomorrow?” David rested his forearm on the steering wheel.

”Nah, I'm good. I'll figure something out,” Maddox said.

”I'll be over at Faith's until after dinner tomorrow. She's on the corner of Liberty and First. Come on over if you need to.”

”Thanks,” Maddox said and slammed the truck door. He watched David rumble away. There was no doubt in his mind that Lila would be willing to drive him home at some point. He was hoping it would be tomorrow morning rather than later tonight. Looking down at his phone again, he dashed off a text to Hollace, informing him that he didn't have cell service unless he was in town and very limited access to the Internet at the ranch. After spending entire days with Chanel, the last thing he wanted to do was go beg for an online fix at her house. Then he switched off the device. He didn't want to be disturbed during his date with Lila.

He entered through the solid white door with the ”No Minors” sign rather than through the nicer looking wood door with the window on the other end of the building that led to the family friendly restaurant. Lila was waiting for him at the bar with a half empty gla.s.s of beer. Her dark hair was curling seductively to her bra line. She gave him a bright smile when she saw him. Her eyes didn't seem as tired tonight.

”I'm glad you called,” she said.

”Me too,” Maddox said and ordered a whiskey on the rocks. Beer wasn't going to be enough to take the edge off tonight. ”So, you going to help me rock this town tonight?”

Lila c.o.c.ked her head to one side. ”Not much to rock. This town is a one-trick pony, and you're in it.”

”You two eating tonight?” The grizzled bartender sported a gut and a stained white t-s.h.i.+rt. Maddox was dubious about the food offerings in this joint, but he hadn't eaten since lunch. He was starving.

”Yes.”

Two sticky red menus were pa.s.sed across the bar.

”Thanks, Tony,” Lila said.

Maddox scanned the list. Typical burger and deep-fried bar food. He knew he'd regret it, but he was sick of beef and frozen pizza. So, he decided on the fish and chips. Lila ordered a chef salad and another beer.

The door opened and closed and a couple of women stepped into the dim room. Maddox could feel their eyes on him. A quick a.s.sessment told him they were much too old for his taste.

Lila missed nothing and laughed. ”You're fresh meat. It's slim pickings in the man department around here.”

”Well, then it's a good thing you caught me fast,” Maddox said.

She clinked her gla.s.s with his, and he downed his drink, motioning at Tony for another.

When their food arrived, Maddox fought the urge to wipe his fish with his napkin before eating it. He hated to admit it, but Lila's salad looked more appealing. When had he become such a food sn.o.b? He couldn't remember ever cringing at a meal in his life before coming to Clifford's Bend.

He went to the bathroom to wash his hands and b.u.mped into a cowboy about his age but sporting the gut that seemed to be attached to the majority of the men and several of the women in this joint. He mumbled an excuse me and turned on the faucet.

”See you decided to take a ride on the village bike,” the cowboy said.

”Excuse me?” Maddox jerked his head up and met the other man's stare in the mirror.

”Lila. Everybody's tapped that one. You're new here. Thought you'd want to know. Wear a rubber, man.”

Maddox's brows drew together. Who was this a.s.shole, and did he think he sounded witty with his ripped off movie lines?

The cowboy reacted to Maddox's stormy expression. Holding his palms out in front of himself. ”Nothin' to get p.i.s.sy about. Every town's got one.”

Maddox ripped a length of paper towel from the dispenser and turned to face the guy. He was a good couple of inches taller, and he knew he outweighed him in muscle.

”She seems pretty nice to me.”

The guy shrugged and braved turning away from Maddox to pull open the door. ”Do what you want.”