I doubt that. “What don’t you like about him?”
“I’m not sure. Can’t quite put my finger on it. I may be totally wrong about the guy too. Caroline likes him a lot. Maybe I just don’t like him because I can’t seem to beat him on the course.”
“You’ve never beaten me.”
“Proves my point. I don’t like you either.”
The conversation was interrupted when Caroline approached. “It’s a school night, so it’s best I start herding Haley toward home. I need to stop by the Fallen Angel on the way and drop off some books Angelica has ordered for Christmas presents. Do you want me to take River with us?”
Caroline and Jackson had both come from work, so they’d arrived in separate vehicles. River was Jackson’s yellow Lab. “I’ll bring River with me.”
Listening to the conversation, Haley asked, “But you’ll put him in my room when you get home so he can sleep with me, right?”
“Of course. Days with me, nights with you is our deal.”
Caroline said, “Gather up your things, sweetie. Angelica is expecting us.”
“She’ll give me a cookie!”
“You just ate s’mores,” Jackson pointed out. “You don’t need cookies too.”
“Sure I do. Cookies make me happy.”
Tucker grinned. It was an argument he knew his cousin couldn’t resist. He winked at Haley and said, “You’re a smart little cookie, sugar bug.”
“I know.”
“Now, give us a hug good night.”
Haley ran first to her father, hugged and kissed him good night. Then she went into Tucker’s arms. “Thank you so much, Uncle T. I had a super time. It was the bestest day.”
“I had fun too,” Tucker said, returning her hug and meaning it. He picked her up and spun her around. “Next time, we’re going to work some more on fire building.”
With the women departed, the cousins fell silent for a time, enjoying the peace of the chilly winter evening, the crackle of the campfire, and the soft snoring of the dog lying nearby.
Tucker’s thoughts returned to Gillian and her beau. So, Jackson didn’t care for the fiancé, hmm? Interesting. Wonder just how good a golfer ol’ Jeremy was? Tucker might have to see about getting up a game with him. The idea of whipping the man’s butt on the links had a real appeal, which was saying something. He hadn’t wanted to play golf since his last round at Congressional. He’d played with some Congress critters at the order of his CO, and he’d hated every minute of it. Those snakes had—
“Maybe you should think about doing more of this,” Jackson said, interrupting Tucker’s musings.
“Family fish fries?”
“Well, yes. That was damned good fish. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the lessons with Haley.”
Tucker picked up a branch to stir the fire. “You know I’m happy to spend as much time with her as you guys want. I do think it’s helping her.”
“I do too. Haley’s time with you here in Enchanted Canyon has been great for her. But the thing is, I believe it’s been good for you too. Listen, I have an idea.”
“That’s always dangerous.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t argue that. Especially in light of what’s happened since I mentioned my idea to Boone.”
Tucker tossed the cedar branch onto the fire and shot Jackson a wary look. “Why do I think I’m not going to be thrilled about the direction this conversation is about to take?”
“Probably because you’ve known Boone all your life. Bossiest sonofagun on the planet.”
The gentle breeze switched directions, and smoke drifted toward them. Tucker savored the scent. He did love the smell of burning cedar. “What have you two done?”
Now it was Jackson’s turn to get a stick and poke the fire. “It’s kind of a long story, although it’s only been a couple of weeks. But you know Boone.”
“I know Boone. I repeat. What have you two done?”
“Okay. Here’s the deal.” He jabbed a log and sparks rose into the winter night. “At the risk of bringing up a touchy subject, this is quite the extended vacation you’ve been taking. It’s not like you.”
Tucker shrugged. “I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Thinking about joining the circus.”
“Bad news for you there, cuz. I think the circus has gone out of business.”
“Seriously?”
“I think so. The circus with animals, anyway. Issues with animal cruelty.”
“Huh.”
“Anyway, unless you’ve completely changed personalities, you’re gonna get tired of not having anything to keep you busy. Angelica said you taught her how to make a friction fire?”
“Yeah.” Tucker smiled at the memory. “She came by the trailer out of the blue one evening and asked me to teach her. It took us a while, but we eventually got the job done.”
“She enjoyed it. Said you were a patient, excellent teacher.”
“I enjoyed it too. Angelica is a hoot.”
“Well, she mentioned it to Celeste.”
“Boone’s friend?”
“Yes.”
Tucker knew of Celeste Blessing, but he’d never met her. She was the owner of a resort in the Colorado mountain town where Boone now lived. She’d been the person who suggested her own cousin, Angelica, for the innkeeper position after the McBride cousins inherited Enchanted Canyon and decided to remodel the long-abandoned brothel into the Fallen Angel Inn.
Jackson continued, “Anyway, Celeste—”
He broke off abruptly at the sound of an approaching engine. Both men looked toward the road as a Jeep Wrangler made the turn toward the Airstream. Jackson muttered, “Finally.”
“Finally,” Tucker repeated. “You expecting company, cousin?”
“Yep.”
“Let me guess. Our bossy cousin has traveled from Eternity Springs to grace us with his presence.”
“Got it in one. He’s running late, though. He was supposed to be here in time for supper.”
The Jeep stopped next to his own truck, and a familiar figure emerged. Boone McBride strode toward them wearing dress slacks and a long-sleeved white shirt, cuffs rolled up midway on his forearms. He was half an inch taller than Tucker’s own six foot two, something he’d always lorded over him, and older by two months. They shared the same prominent McBride cheekbones and slim, mostly straight nose, each sporting a bump from a break, Tucker’s from their teen years and Boone’s since his move to Eternity Springs. He had dark hair and a shark’s smile, and tonight, his silver-gray eyes glowed with purpose.
Tucker repressed a heavy sigh. Obviously, his cousins were on a mission, and it involved him and his future. A month ago, he’d have reacted by turning around and heading into the woods, not to return until they’d decamped. Tonight, he realized he wouldn’t mind hearing what they had to say.
Progress, I guess. Enchanted Canyon doing the work.
After they all exchanged greetings, Boone turned to Jackson. “Have you told him?”
“Was just getting around to it.”