“They worked all over the place. They homeschooled me through primary school, or I did school of the air. A few times, I went to a real school, but never for very long. They figured that when I started high school, I should go to a real school. So not only was I away from my parents, I was dumped into a massive school with five-hundred other kids who knew all about going to school, and I didn’t.”
“Wow, that must have been hard.”
“Yeah . . . yeah, it was,” Cody mused.
“So, what did you do?”
“I got bullied a bit. I was different, y’know? Didn’t know about school routines. I wasn’t used to having to wear a uniform. It was all new to me.”
“Yeah,” he nodded in understanding. “Did you get to see your parents again?”
“Once. Then about a year later, they were both killed in a head-on collision with a truck.” It was his turn to hang his head as he recalled the pain in his grandma’s voice when she broke the news to him. Their death hadn’t hurt as much as the feelings of abandonment. It was almost like they had already died the day they turned their backs on him.
A small hand on his shoulder dragged him from his rumination, and his sadness was quickly replaced with guilt.
“Anyways, I’m not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me; it’s just that I understand why you’re hurting right now. You’re a great kid, Austin. Your dad’s the one who is missing out.”
“Yeah, that’s what Mum says as well. I wish you were my dad.”
“Me, too, mate,” he uttered before the quietness of the night enveloped them again. The hum of the after-party buzzed like an annoying mosquito while they sat, staring out into the night—each contemplating their fate.
Chapter Seventeen
Callie yawned as she pulled her car up in front of the house. She would need to be up early in the morning to oversee the clean-up. The party had pretty much wound up when she left. Once the bar closed, everyone wandered back to their camps or headed home. Tomorrow would be filled with sore heads and regrets. For her part, though, she was proud she had pulled it all together. Ticket sales had been higher than expected. Which meant she would be able to afford to treat the kids to a few extras for their birthday this year. It was hard to believe they would be teenagers soon.
Making her way up the stairs, Callie drew her attention to the swinging seat. It had been two hours since he had walked away from her, or had she walked away from him? Either way, she was tired and didn’t have the energy to deal with Cody tonight.
“What are you doing here?” she asked flatly.
Cody patted the empty seat beside him.
“Do we have to do this right now? I have an early start.” She continued to the door, gripping the key between her thumb and forefinger. She only locked the house due to the event. The kids had been given strict instructions to lock up and not allow anyone in. She had suggested a baby sitter when it became apparent that Adam had let them down, but Grace was adamant they would be fine alone. She was still on the property and was only a phone call away. After all, they were almost thirteen.
“I don’t want to do anything,” Cody sighed.
“Then, why are you here?”
“I came by, and I saw lights on. I thought someone was breaking in and came to investigate.” She stiffened at his revelation.
“It was only Austin. We had a chat. He’s not doing too well. But I am guessing you already knew that?”
Guilt clawed at her, and a lump formed in her throat. Austin had called her just as the first round of calf-roping started. He had asked her to come home, but she had been too busy. She should never have been too busy for her son.
“Adam didn’t come,” she stated. She hadn’t been overly surprised. He had let the kids down many times, and her hundreds of times before that. She had almost come to anticipate it. In a way, she was relieved. The thought of spending the term break on the farm alone, without them, had her almost breaking out in hives. She knew that was selfish, but she had spent the past twelve years being their primary caregiver, and the last three being the only one.
“He’s feeling abandoned,” Cody went on. “I just sat with him for a bit. He went to bed about half an hour ago.”
Callie turned the door key over and over between her fingers. “Thank you.”
Cody rose to his feet and silently moved toward her. She could smell his musky aftershave, and it did things to her, made her want him. He had to leave.
“It’s the least I could do,” he gave her a half-smile. “I think those kids are better for me than I am for them.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean,” she replied quietly.
“Good night, Callie.” He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her forehead before pushing past her and going down the stairs.
“Good night, Cody,” she replied without turning to see him. It was easier that way. If she had to watch him walk away again, she knew she would cave and call him back.
Trucks revved their engines, cattle shuffled in the yards, and bottles clanked as the clean-up began. Around the outskirts, weary faces rose from their swags and packed tents away. Callie made her way to her little office. Soon, she would close the door and forget about rodeos for a while, but now, she had to make sure everyone was paid, the books were balanced, and all the loose ends were tied.
“That boy sort his shit out yet?” Wal called out from the doorway, as she shuffled things around on her desk.
“Pardon?” she asked, surprised to hear the old man’s voice. He had been a friend of
