Cowboy Take Me Away (26 page)

What about sexually? She hadn’t seen to his needs—or he to hers in the past month.

Because he’s getting what he needs from someone else.

A sort of red rage began to build in her, supplanting the feeling of desolation.

How dare he. She would not be cast aside. She was more to him than a cook, maid and babysitter. How long had it been since he’d acted like she mattered? When had she accepted that an occasional glimpse of the loving man she’d married was better than none?

She couldn’t even remember the last time they’d had a conversation that didn’t involve ranch work or kids. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d done something sweet or thoughtful for her.

But you’ve done plenty of sweet and thoughtful things for him.

A little finger poked her in the side. She lifted her head and looked into Cord’s enormous blue eyes. Serious eyes. Eyes like his father’s. Love for this child swamped her and she hugged him tightly. He reached up, wreathing his arms around her neck and she rubbed her cheek against the baby-smooth softness of his skin.

“Me too!” Colby shouted and tried to worm his way between them.

Cord whispered, “Mama, why you sad?”

She leaned back. “How could I ever be sad when I have such wonderful boys to make me smile?”

Colby scooted under her arm and rested his head above her breast with a sigh.

“I have an idea. How would you guys like to spend the night with Aunt Kimi and Uncle Cal? Then tomorrow after I pick you up we’ll get ice cream.”

That brought a sweet smile to Cord’s face. “With marshmallows?”

“And a cherry on top.” She kissed Colby’s dark head. “Let’s get jammies and your toothbrushes.”

“And Bully,” Colby said.

Her son loved the stuffed bull Carson had won for him at the fair last year. “Wouldn’t dream of leaving Bully behind.”

The boys tore off and Carolyn dialed her sister’s number. Before Kimi even said hello, Carolyn said, “I need you to watch the boys tonight. That’s all I can say right now.”

But it wasn’t Kimi on the line. Cal said, “No problem.” A pause. “Is this about Carson?”

“Yes.”

“Ah hell, Caro. Do you know what you’re doin’?”

Did Cal know about Carson’s recent activities at the Silver Spur? Did Kimi know that Carson might be stepping out on her? How long had it been going on? Was she the last to know and the laughingstock of the town? Sweet, obedient Carolyn McKay sitting at home popping out kids while Carson McKay ran wild and made her look like a fool? “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I don’t know what’s goin’ on with him either, so don’t assume nothin’, okay? Carson has been a real jackass to me the last two months. If we ain’t directly workin’ with each other, then I avoid him ’cause I don’t like the way he’s been actin’. I’m glad you’re callin’ him on his shit.”

This was why she loved Cal. He was loyal to his brother, while not willing to kiss his ass or overlook his faults. “Thanks. I’ll drop the boys off in ten minutes.”

After she returned home it took forty-five minutes to get ready. But she wasn’t certain if dolling herself up would even matter. One last swipe with the eyeliner and another coat of siren red lipstick and she studied her reflection. Not a trace of frumpy housewife stared back at her. In fact, she looked so different in these clothes and heavy makeup she wondered if Carson would recognize her. She wondered why she didn’t put more effort into looking like this all the time.

Turning sideways she only noticed a slight swell in her abdomen. When pregnant with Cord and Colby she hadn’t started showing until five months.

Too bad she couldn’t knock back a shot of whiskey to calm her nerves. She slipped off her wedding rings and headed to the car.

The Silver Spur had a decent amount of cars in the parking lot for a Thursday night. Carson’s rig was parked up front. As if he’d been there a while.

Her heart raced as she sauntered in, but she held her head high. The normal buzz of anticipation filled the smoky air as the band tuned up. She hadn’t been in here in ages and scored a spot at the end of the bar, within view of the back room. Standing on tiptoe, she saw a hatted head in the last booth, but with the amount of cowboy hats in Wyoming it could be anyone.

The bartender stopped in front of her. “What can I get you tonight, beautiful?”

“How about a whiskey Coke—hold the whiskey.”

He grinned. “Comin’ right up.”

Carolyn didn’t study the people to see if she’d recognize anyone. She leaned an elbow on the bar and checked out the space, as if it was the first time she’d been in.

“Here’s your drink, darlin’.”

She tried to pay him but he waved her money off. “You’re doin’ me a favor by classing this place up.”

Two minutes later the first guy approached her. “You new to town?” he asked. “Because I haven’t seen you in here before.”

“You sure?”

“I’da remembered a fox like you.”

She smiled. “You spend much time at the Spur?”

“More than I should, probably.” He sipped his beer. “What’s your name, pretty lady?”

“Sugar,” she lied. “What’s yours?”

“Tater.”

“Interesting name. Are you from around here, Tater?”

“Yep. But I’m on the road a lot.”

“Oh. Are you a truck driver?”

“Nope. I’m a rodeo cowboy.”

Carson’s choice words about the guys who ran the circuit jumped into her head and she affected an awed look—totally fake—not that the guy noticed. “For real? What’s your specialty?”

“Ropin’.” Then he launched into an explanation of the strategy involved that was complete crap.

Carolyn saw movement in the back room. Carson stood to let the dark-haired home-wrecker out of his side of the booth.

The band launched into “Your Cheatin’ Heart”.

How appropriate.

Despite the rage boiling her blood, she managed a calm, “Tater, I feel like dancing.” It’d been a couple of years since Carson had taken her out. Since before Colby had been born.

“Anything you want, darlin’.” He reached for her left hand—it felt weird not only to have her ring finger bare, but to hold another man’s hand besides Carson’s.

Tater didn’t smash her body to his or let his hands wander. He was all about the dancing, performing all sorts of twists and fancy turns, dips and double twists. By the time they returned to the end of the bar, she was thirsty.

“Need another?” the bartender asked her.

“Water would be great.”

“And a Coors,” Tater said.

The bartender sent him a dirty look. “You oughten be here tonight, Glanzer. Shouldn’t you be home with your family?”

“Not your business. Just hurry up with the damn drinks.”

Okay. That was rude. And what did the bartender mean that Tater should be home with his family? Was he married with kids? Good Lord. Maybe this bar had become the place to openly cheat on your wife. When Carolyn caught him salivating over her cleavage, she fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest.

The band launched into another tune and couples headed for the dance floor.

“You’re a good dancer, Sugar.”

“Thanks. So are you. You have all kinds of moves I’ve never seen.”

Tater leaned in, his eyes zeroed in on her breasts. “I have more moves than that. I’d love to show you the best ones. Course, those are done horizontally.”

And…they weren’t talking about dancing. Her cheeks flamed and she looked down. But her gaze landed on his gigantic buckle.

“Like what you see down there?”

Her head snapped up.

He laughed, as if he’d caught her checking out his crotch.

The bartender slid her drink over and handed Tater a bottle.

Carolyn was trying to come up with something that’d make Tater leave when someone pushed into her from behind, sending her careening into Tater. The glass crashed to the floor but not before water soaked her front side. It seemed everyone in the bar had turned around to look at them.

“Damn. Are you all right?”

She glanced up when Tater brushed droplets from her chest. Why was his other hand gripping her butt cheek? There wasn’t water back there.

“Get your fucking hand off my wife’s ass right fucking now.”

Tater released her immediately. “Wife? What the hell is goin’ on here?”

Carson was right in Tater’s face. “Yes, she’s my wife. Touch her again and I’ll rip your fuckin’ arms out of the sockets. Understand?”

“Sugar, you shoulda told me you were married. Not that I blame you for bein’ out lookin’ for something better, since this guy is an asshole.”

“Shut your mouth,” Carson snapped.

“Or what? You’ll punch me? Bring it, fucker. I ain’t been in a fight for weeks and I’m more than happy to take out that pent-up aggression on you.”

Carson shoved him.

Tater started to charge but a big guy stepped between them, placing a meaty hand on both of their chests.

“Take it the fuck outside or I call the sheriff. Dig?”

After snagging his beer, Tater started walking backward. He grinned at Carolyn. “Fun while it lasted.” He vanished into the crowd.

Immediately Carson wrapped his fingers around her upper arms and hauled her to the tips of her boots. “What the fuck are you doin’ here?”

“Having a night out.”

“Like hell you are. Get home where you belong.”

“No.”

“Tryin’ my patience, woman.”

“Your patience?” Carolyn jerked out of his hold. “Spare me. I’m the queen of patience when it comes to you. So where’d your friend go?”

“Who?”

“The woman I saw you with earlier. I didn’t quite make it to the back booth to see if she was sucking you off or if you preferred to fuck her.”

Carson’s eyes widened.

“Surprised to hear me say that word?” She stepped in close enough to poke him in the chest. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Fuck her and fuck you if you’ve been fucking her. How’s that? Did I get the fucking point across you fucking cheating asshole?”

“I’d never…” His face had turned mottled red and he looked ready to commit murder.

The bouncer returned and inserted himself between them. “Ma’am? Are you okay?”

“No, I am not okay. Not even close to okay.”

“What can I do?”

“If you could get me some napkins so I can dry myself off that’d be appreciated.”

“Sure thing. Be right back.”

Carolyn reclaimed her place at the bar, giving Carson her back, thankful there weren’t mirrors so he could see her face.

He didn’t make a move toward her. Nor did he speak. But she sensed him seething.

Good.
Let’s see how you fucking like being ignored, you dumb fucker.

Another guy moved into the open space on her left. “Ma’am. You all right?”

Lord, save her from gentleman cowboys. “I’m fine. Just spilled on myself.”

“That happens to me too when I drink tequila.”

She released a brittle laugh. “Wish I could blame it on booze.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Then Carson stepped up and loomed over the man. “I’ll shove a bottle straight up your ass if you don’t get the fuck away from my wife.”

“Sorry, man. I thought—”

“You thought wrong. Beat it.”

After the guy left, Carson moved in close enough she could smell the whiskey and cigarettes on his breath. “Goddammit, Carolyn, what are you doin’ here?”

Somehow she’d masked the hurt and let her anger show. “You spend so much time here lately I wanted to experience the appeal of it for myself.”

“Where are my sons?”

“In the car. Locked in the trunk. With guns and the candy I used to lure them in.” She got nose to nose with him. “Don’t you ever, ever,
ever
question that I’d put their safety, happiness and wellbeing above everything else in my life.”

Shame flashed in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Yes, you are. You’ve been a sorry excuse for a husband and a father and I’m done putting up with it.”

“What are you sayin’?”

“You know exactly what I’m saying.”

“Carson? Is everything all right?” a female voice inquired.

He shook his head at whoever was behind her.

Carolyn turned, her stomach plummeting when she realized the dark haired woman she’d seen Carson with was Edie. The same woman she’d caught him with seven years ago. The same woman who’d taken every opportunity to make Carolyn miserable whenever they ran into each other.

Edie’s gaze winged between them. Then she offered Carolyn a smirk. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“Obviously I am, so now you can buzz off.”

“There’s no need to be rude. Carson and I were just…talking.”

“I don’t care.”

Edie’s eyes went comically wide. “You don’t believe me?”

“I believe I asked you to leave.”

“I didn’t mean to cause problems.” Edie sent Carson a pleading look. “It’s not what you think. I needed someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on. And since Carson has such big shoulders…he obliged me.”

Carson made an irritated sound.

As Carolyn studied Edie’s smug face, the situation became clear. She suspected Edie had heard Carson had been hanging out at the Silver Spur a lot lately. And Edie knew perfectly well that the gossip mill would churn with news that she—the recent divorcée—was spending time alone in the back room with Carson McKay.

How long had it taken for the news to reach Carolyn?

One. Day.

So Carolyn knew Carson hadn’t been stepping out on her—at least not with Edie. Given the size of this town? If he had been cheating on her, she would’ve heard about it long before now.

“I’ll oblige you too by reminding you that Carson is my husband. He’s a good man. But that’s the thing, he’s
my
man.
Mine
. He’s not your friend, he’s not your confidante, so back off.”

She eyed Carolyn’s wet blouse. “Apparently you’ve had too much to drink. No matter what you’ve heard—”

“Oh, I heard all right. The gossip about you two being cozied up last night already got back to me.”

Carson swore behind her.

“I’m here to put a stop to it.”

“Honey, I don’t have any control over gossip. If folks around here are saying your man is looking to scratch an itch that he ain’t getting scratched at home? You can’t blame me if he’s sniffing around because I got me some nice claws.”