Jack stood and offered her a hand. “Come on. Let’s spare young ears our squabble and have a beer.”
Keely admitted a beer sounded good. As soon as they cleared the bleachers, she led the way to the beer stand. But everyone in the entire county was there and wanted to meet the man who’d “tamed Keely McKay”.
“Two Bud Lights,” Jack said and handed the cashier a ten, waving off the change as a tip.
Keely saw the women nudging each other and waggling their eyebrows. No denying Jack stood out, not just because he wasn’t a cowboy in an arena filled with them. His forest green mock turtleneck and blue jeans accentuated his eye-catching physique and his dark good looks.
“You’re scowling at me. These boots are the closest I’ll ever come to wearing a pair of shitkickers.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“I thought you weren’t coming and I’d worked up a really good mad. Now you’re here and there’s no reason for me to be mad, but I still am.”
Jack crowded her against the wall, bracing his forearm above her head. “And just how were you hoping to use that good mad against me, buttercup? By throwing something at me so we end up f**king right where we stand?”
She blinked innocently. “Is that a possibility?”
His eyes sparked lust. “Don’t tempt me. I went easy on you this morning.”
“And have I mentioned how awesome it was?” She managed to sip her beer even with Jack right in her face. She didn’t look away. He didn’t look away.
“Aw, for Christsake, you two are adults. Get a freakin’ room. Don’t make me arrest you for lewd behavior.”
Keely didn’t acknowledge Cam. Neither did Jack.
Getting no response out of them, Cam stalked off in a huff.
They grinned at each other. Then Jack brushed his lips over hers until her mouth opened and he teased her with a flirty kiss. He tasted like beer. And Jack.
“How much longer does this go on?” he murmured.
“That kiss could’ve gone on a lot longer as far as I’m concerned.”
He gently bit her bottom lip. “I meant this event.”
“Mutton bustin’ is next. It’s the last event because it’s the most popular. Gib and Braxton are entered.” She smooched his chin. “Come on. It’s probably about to start.”
They held hands and made their way back into the stands.
Cord and Cam were sitting with their wives. Both Dimitri and Oxsana sat on Cam’s lap while Cord held Foster on his. Liesl had inserted herself between Domini and Cam. Ky and Anton were hanging over the Plexiglas partition, trying to see into the chutes.
A number of kids stayed on and rode their sheep, but the only one who crossed the finish line was Gib.
“That kid is a natural bull rider. Channing ain’t gonna keep him outta the chutes when he gets old enough to ride bulls,” Cord said.
Anton piped up, “Just wait ’til you see me’n Ky ride bulls. We’re gonna be world champs.”
Domini shook her head. “No way am I letting you get on the back of a bull, Anton McKay.”
“Aw, but Mom, if I get hurt Aunt Keely can fix me up, can’t ya?”
Way to put her on the spot. “Wow. Look at the time. And you guys have school tomorrow.” Keely pushed up and threw her arms open. “Who’s givin’ me some love?”
Liesl was the first one in line for a hug. Followed by Ky and Anton. The twins were cranky and refused to let go of Cam, but sweet Foster peppered her face with kisses. She reluctantly handed Cord his youngest son. When Keely looked over at Jack, he wore the oddest expression.
Colby and his boys were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. After more congratulations were passed around to Gib and Braxton, Colby said, “Keels, you still on for tomorrow night?”
“Yep. I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Come on, boys, let’s get your brothers so we can go home and see how Mama is farin’ in an empty house.”
Everyone dispersed. Keely and Jack were stopped a dozen more times as they walked through the crowd. They finally reached Keely’s truck and Jack leaned against it with a long-suffering sigh.
“You hated coming to the junior rodeo that much?”
“No. You know everyone in town, don’t you?”
“Uh, yeah. I have lived here most of my life, Jack.”
“I can’t imagine how you kept purchasing the Brewster Building under wraps. Not only from the community, but from your entire family. From what I’ve seen, the McKays live in each other’s pockets.”
Did that bother him? “It isn’t like we don’t have secrets from each other within the McKay family, but we do spend a lot of time together.”
“By choice?”
Keely bumped him with her shoulder. “Yes, by choice. I’ve always hero-worshipped my brothers, even when they weren’t around. For years we followed our own paths, but it’s no surprise our paths converged back here. They drive me crazy sometimes and treat me like I’m twelve, but it’s fun even when it’s total chaos with all the kids.
“I love bein’ the cool aunt who takes them to the park. Or brings them to my place for a sleepover. Or buys them gifts that annoy their parents. I pinch hit as a babysitter whenever they need me. But I mostly like being around them all the time. Watching them grow and change. Watching how marriage and parenthood has changed my brothers. Seeing them happy…” Her voice caught and she turned away. Jack wouldn’t understand the struggles her brothers faced to wind up where they were. How thrilled she was every damn day she got to watch them living their lives and being a part of it.
“Are you happy, Keely?” he asked softly.
“I’m happier now than I’ve been in a long time. Most days I don’t think about it. Why?”
“No reason. Wondered if you’d heard that biological clock ticking.”
“I’m not exactly over the hill.”
“I know. I’m curious. Since your brothers have so many kids, does that mean you want a bunch of your own?”
“I don’t know. Do you?”
He shrugged. “I like kids. I just never really thought about having them.”
“Maybe that’ll change when you find the right woman.”
Jack gave her that odd look again. He pushed off the truck. “I’ll see you back at the apartment.”
Weird dismissal. But nothing new when it came to Jack’s moods. She’d just opened the door, when Jack said, “Keely. Wait.”