Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

“ W here’s Dallas?”

“Northeast Texas.” He had to tease. Austin loved seeing Stoney and Ford. He’d met them at their dude ranch. Back before he had broken up with the evil ex. Back then his life had been full of things like gay ski week or gay brunches. The gay lifestyle. Now he was just a single dad.

“Don’t make me kill you, man,” Stoney chuckled. “I got shit to do.”

Stoney plopped down on the sofa at the coffee shop, waving his hand at Ford, so dramatic. “Go on now, get me a latte.”

Austin stared at the cowboy. Obviously, something was going on. Possibly somebody had lost a bet. Because he knew Stoney, and Stoney had never waved his hand, limp-wristedly in the entirety of his time on earth. Nor was Ford the kind of man who accepted the, you know, ‘go fetch my slippers, boy’ kind of situation.

Ford and Stoney took a beat, then they both cracked up, and Ford cuffed Austin’s shoulder. “You need anything?”

Austin shook his head. “No, no. Thanks, though. I’ve got a caramel white chocolate something coming. It’s up there on the specials board. It looks amazing. It’s got nutmeg. I figure, you know, it’s Christmas. Nutmeg.”

“Okay, so I’ll be right back.” Ford headed off to the counter.

Austin stared at Stoney askance. “What the hell is going on?”

Stoney snorted. “Nothing. We were talking about this couple that we met. They came to stay at the ranch. They were hilarious, but obviously one was the Lord of the Manor and the other one was all fetch and carry. I didn’t ask; I don’t want to know. But we were talking about it on the way here, and I got tickled. I thought maybe I’d try it.”

Austin shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna work for you.”

“Probably not. So come on, where’s Dallas? I wanted to see his little face.”

Someone was missing his son. Quartz was away at his first year of college and was due home, he was sure, for Christmas, but Stoney was definitely feeling empty-nest syndrome.

“He’s with his best friend Paige and her daddy. They’re doing something that involves outdoor sports. And horses. And since I only rarely do outdoor sports, and I don’t do horses, they’re doing it without me.”

“Horses, huh? That’s cool. Mr. Dallas gonna grow up to be a cowboy like me?”

“I sincerely doubt it, but it’s a possibility. Who knows?” He shrugged, grinned. “I’m dating one.”

He thought.

They weren’t really dating; they were more like having a life and sleeping together, which was an awful lot like being married, except that he went home to his condo five nights a week. Three nights a week. Some days a week?

“Oh my God, you’re dating a cowboy? What the hell?” Stoney made big, wide eyes, the expression patently fake.

“I know. It’s Dallas’s fault.”

“So where did you meet him?”

Oh, that was a complicated story. He wasn’t sure he was going to tell it either. Because there was meeting, and then there was meeting . They’d sort of met on a super meta level almost a year ago.

Of course, Stoney River was not the most meta human being alive, so maybe he’d just stick with the facts, ma’am. “Our children are best friends. They met at school. Kyler has this amazing little girl—fierce as hell. She will kick somebody’s butt if they need it. The absolute polar opposite of Dallas in every way, and Dallas would, I think, go to war for her.”

“Dude. That’s too cool. So then, you what, meet said girl dad at a play date, and you fall for him? Splat?”

He snorted. “I met him at the school office when his daughter punched a kid in the face for bullying Dallas.”

“Oh, man. Shit’s gotten Western up in your life.”

“What?” Ford strolled back over to put chocolate croissants on the table. “You cowboying up, Austin?”

“He’s dating one, honey. His kid’s best friend’s dad.”

“Holy shit. No way.” Ford grinned, eyes sparkling. “Look at you. Once you go cowboy…”

“Oh, shut up.” He winked at Ford. “I can’t even. It was just serendipity.”

Stoney chuckled. “So tell us about him, man. What do you know about him?”

“He was a rodeo man. A bronc rider. And Paige’s mom is a barrel racer.”

“Oh yeah. What’s her name?” Stoney asked. He followed the rodeo.

Austin shrugged. “It’s Henley something. I’m sure that Kyler has told me her last name, I just don’t remember. ”

Stoney’s eyes lit up. “Henley Morgan? She’s good. National champion. She’s got a little girl, too. Uh…” Stoney rubbed his forehead and his temple. “Hale. Does that sound right?”

“That’s him. Kyler Hale.”

Stoney snorted. “I thought he was straight.”

“Bisexuality is a thing, my friend.”

“Hey, I know. I judge not. I think it’s cool. Have you met his wife?”

Ford kicked Stoney’s boot. “Ex-wife.”

“Neither. Never married. But have I met Paige’s mom? No, not yet. She’s coming for Christmas.” And hadn’t that been a nightmare? He was supposed to be going home to see his folks, and Dallas had lost his shit, insisting that this was Paige’s Christmas with her daddy, and if they missed this Christmas then they were going to miss next Christmas. And that would mean three whole Santa Clauses before he could see Paige at Christmas.

Austin would probably have fought harder if what Dallas wanted wasn’t exactly what he desired too. So he’d given in. If they were going to be a thing, him and Ky, Dallas was going to have to get used to splitting time. And sharing his step-sister with someone.

And thank God no one could hear what he was thinking because they’d been sleeping together for like ten days. It was a little early to be all step-sister, step-brother, rings and forever and…

But it was what he wanted. He couldn’t help it. Austin believed. He believed in the whole falling in love and happily ever after shit. It wasn’t something he put on a page because he got paid to do it. He fucking believed.

Now he had to manage getting through however long it took before Ky believed it, too .

“That ought to be interesting,” Stoney said with an evil grin.

Ford thumped him. “Blended families exist. As you well know.”

“We’re not there, but Dallas and Paige are thick as thieves.”

“So you’re meeting Henley for Christmas? Y’all ought to come up for the big Christmas party on the twenty-second. Kids are welcome…” Stoney winked at him. “So are blended families.”

“Lord have mercy. I’ll ask. I bet Ky would like to meet everyone. He’s a little like an island.”

“Having you say that is something, man,” Ford teased.

“I know!” He chuckled. “He’s a lot like me, oddly. Not so much bookish, though I’ve seen his reading stash now. Murder mysteries and westerns. But he works from home making saddles and stuff, and he takes Paige all over the damn Roaring Fork to activities, and I think most of his old friends kind of abandoned him when Paige came along…”

“Well, is Henley involved in Paige?” Stoney asked, and he nodded.

“She really is. She travels a lot, of course, but she’s on her way back from the NFR and a little vacation. She’s staying with Kyler until the stock show in Denver. Then she’s off again.”

“Neat.” Ford chuckled. “I’m kind of stunned. I mean, you were always so… I dunno. Gay agenda.”

“I haven’t gotten any less gay, man. He’s the bi one, not me.”

“Are you worried about having his ex stay with him?”

He shrugged. “Why? If he’d wanted her, he could have stayed with her. Hell, you should see the moms at the gym, at the trampoline park, at all the places.”

Can you have coffee, Kyler ?

Oh, Kyler, can you come over and polish my light bulbs?

Kyler, would you be a dear and pick up this big, heavy bag for me?

If Kyler wanted a lady-friend to sleep with, he had plenty of opportunity.

“Besides,” he said, warming to his topic. “It’s amazing that she’s so involved with Paige. She’s not phoning it in. She loves that little girl, and she and Ky are still good friends.”

“That’s awesome, man. I mean, it really helps if everyone is on good terms.”

“Sure.” Not that Ford and Stoney had to worry about that. Stoney’s baby momma had, sadly, passed. But it was a complicated family thing for them, nonetheless.

“Do you have any new books out? You could do another signing at the ranch for Ski Week. That was a huge success last year.”

Oh, he didn’t know. He was sort of slacking, but…

“I can do that. I’m going to start a new series.”

Ford winked. “Something with a rancher?”

“Shut up.”

Stoney hooted. They called Ford for the coffees, and he went to grab them, coming back licking his lips. “You’re right, man. That’s a good latte.”

“They’re Quartz’s favorite.”

“How is he? Coming home soon?”

Stoney lit up. “He is! And I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m ready. I wasn’t prepared for how weird it would be for him to be gone. He’s finishing his last final today, packing up his stuff tomorrow to put into storage, and then flying home the day after. I’m so ready.”

“And the ranch baby?”

“Having her third birthday.”

“That’s too cool.” Stoney and Ford had a bunch of kids living at their ranch thanks to their hands, but their ranch chef, Geoff, and his partner had a grandbaby who was the light of everyone’s lives. Such a sweetie.

“Yeah. We need more babies around, you know?”

“We’ll get puppies,” Ford murmured.

Stoney just gave him a blink, and Ford blew him a kiss.

“God help me, with Dal spending so much time at Kyler’s property, he wants a dog. A chicken named Jennifer. Llamas. We did a whole reading afternoon about Machu Picchu.”

“Machu Picchu? Seriously?” Stoney grinned. “You do have a fascinating little boy.”

“I detect no lies.” Yeah, Dallas was the neatest boy in the whole wide world. “Paige is pretty cool too. I’ve never met anyone—no man, woman, or beast—who was more fearless. And competitive? She wasn’t reading at all, and then she found out that Dallas was reading chapter books, and suddenly she’s a reader.”

“And these two are in kindergarten?”

“Yep. The teacher is absolutely stunned. I’m fairly sure Dallas was born knowing how to read, but Paige doesn’t intend to be left behind on anything.” Austin kind of worried about that, to be honest. Maybe on the gymnastic things Dallas would excel, but Paige was so much better than he was at damn near everything else. Riding, sports, even just normal, everyday niceties of life, like being able to be a functional kid.

They were good for each other. They pushed each other to be better.

“I’m glad that you like her, man. It’s always hard if you don’t like your significant other’s kid.” Ford winked over at Stoney, who rolled his eyes.

“Good thing you like mine,” Stoney shot back.

His significant other… God. It seemed too soon to say that, but his whole self screamed, “Yes!” when Ford said it.

“Good thing.” Nothing phased Ford. Not really.

“Make sure you ask if everyone wants to come to the party. It’s not fancy, just good food. Carols. There will be presents for the kiddos. It’s not a formal thing.”

Because God knew Stoney was all about formal.

“I will. I can’t think of a good reason that they’d say no.”

“Well, if they do, you’ll come up, the two of you. We’d love to see you.”

He nodded, but they all knew he wouldn’t go by himself. That was a lot of driving in the snow, in the dark. Ky had been on the road so much and so often that no kind of driving bothered him, so if he would go, then Austin trusted him to get them all there.

“Okay, Stoney. We need to get going,” Ford said, rising. He gave Austin a one-armed hug. “Good to see you, man. Seriously.”

“It was good to be seen. Y’all have a good time Christmas shopping, and I can’t wait to see Quartz and hear about his first semester at USC.”

Stoney nodded. “You wrote an amazing reference letter for him. I’ll never be able to pay you back for that.”

“I doubt that the reference letter from the romance writer carried near as much weight as the one from his math and his science teacher, but you’re welcome.”

The guys wandered off, and he settled in with his coffee playing on his phone, taking notes, people watching.

Normal stuff.

He loved to sit at the coffee shop and listen to gossip, listen to the interactions between people.

Imagine a little bit what different folks were doing at different times.

Like that one couple who were sitting over there.

One of them was mad, red-faced, and the other one was talking hard, like to beat the band.

Was it unfair?

Maybe so. Maybe they’d lost their job, and they were trying to explain how they were going to make it work over Christmas. Maybe the one guy wanted to go home for Christmas and the other guy wanted to stay in town.

Oh.

Or what if there was a secret baby?

It could happen. This one guy had a baby.

Three years ago or so, maybe he’d been a sperm donor. And all of a sudden, the mom had died and now there was going to be a baby.

And this other guy was like, ‘I don’t want to have any kids. I don’t really like kids.’

And other guy was going, Mr. Redhead was going, ‘But this is my kid. Don’t you love my kid?’

And Mr. Dark Hair was saying, ‘How do you even know it’s yours? What were you doing jacking off in a cup for anyway?’

And the redhead—what was a good name for a redhead? Scotty, that could be Scotty—Scotty was saying, ‘Well, don’t you remember we had that bill, Jim? When the pipes broke on the new house and had to be fixed and we didn’t know where it was going to come from? I didn’t want you to have to put extra shifts in at the... Police station? No fire station. Fire station?’

That was it.

And that was when Mr. Dark-Haired Jim had to admit that he did remember and that it was kind of sweet that someone would jack off into a cup for broken pipes.

But on the other hand, there was this baby.

And what if there were more babies?

What if they ended up with ten thousand babies? That all looked like, umm, Scotty. Scotty the redhead, Scotty the Scot O’Houlihan. What if there were ten thousand Scotty the Scot O’Houlihan babies running around the Roaring Fork corridor ?

That was actually a pretty good idea.

Not the ten thousand babies part, but the whole idea; that was pretty good.

There could be a book.

That would be a sweet book to come out in the summertime, a summer beach read.

With a fireman and Scotty Scot O’Houlihan, the… Scot-Irish…barista.

That was it.

A barista.

The Fireman and the Barista: A Colorado story.

Oh, he even had a title.

He was going to have to put in his schedule with his editor, and say, “if I get this book to you by Valentine’s Day, we could have it out in time for Beach Reads.”

He’d get hold of Alex, his cover artist, say he wanted something soft and gentle and charming with a baby.

There had to be a baby on the front, a redheaded baby and a big strong man cradling him.

Her.

It didn’t matter, it was a baby. Babies could be gender-neutral. With boots.

Not the baby, the man.

The man needed boots.

He took a whole bunch of notes, and then shot off a note to his editor so that she didn’t have a heart attack when an extra book came and plopped into her inbox.

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it, expecting his editor.

It was Ky.

We’re all missing you, and everyone is cold. How about the holiday market for a bit? Meet us there?

Oh, poor kiddos. I’d love that. I’ll head over now.

Cool. We’ll see you there. You got coffee?

Yep

K. I’ll get hot cocoas

Want a coffee for u? Because he was thinking about getting one of those cinnamon toast things...

Please He got a little crazy smiley, the crossed eyes making him laugh.

Austin went up and ordered two cinnamon toast lattes to go, humming “O Come All Ye Faithful” under his breath.

They’d missed him.

God, that felt so good.