“Now she talks the lingo like the rest of us.” Randy walked in with Juan and Yancey.
“When she talks to one of the rodeo stock guys, they don’t know she’s one of those crazy East Coasters.”
“Hush now, young man. If you don’t want to wash my floors again, you’ll take your boots off.” Margie stood, glaring at them like a guard protecting her land.
“Sorry, Margie love.” Randy gave her a kiss on his way to wash up in the sink. “We wouldn’t want to ruin your hard work.”
The younger men gave the elderly housekeeper hugs as they followed Randy’s lead.
Randy dried his hands, poured some coffee and sat down next to Brody.
“Tony said he’d be up in a few minutes. He had to finish talking with Dusty about one of the bulls.” Randy’s gaze skated over to Angelina.
Brody nodded. “I figured he wouldn’t miss a chance at Margie’s breakfast.” He waved a hand towards Tony’s sister. “Angelina Romanos, this is Randy Hersch. He and his partner, Les Hardin, are the owners of the ranch.”
“Ma’am.” Randy shook Angelina’s hand.
“Nice to meet you.” She looked at Juan. “No hug for your tia?”
Juan studied her for a second and then hugged her tight. “I’m sorry about Tio Luis, Tia.”
“So am I, mijo, so am I.” She gave Yancey a smile. “Who’s your friend?”
“I’m Yancey MacCafferty, Ms. Romanos. Brody’s younger brother.” Yancey nodded at her as he took his place at the table.
“Juan, why don’t you help Margie put breakfast on the table,” Brody suggested, figuring the teenager needed something to do. Turning to Randy, he asked,” Where’s Les? I haven’t seen him this morning.”
“Had a bad night. I let him sleep in.” Randy refilled everyone’s mug. “There wasn’t anything pressing for him to do.”
“Good.” Brody had come to worry about Les as much as everyone else did.
The door banged open and Tony strolled in. His boots were lined up with the others, but instead of washing up first, he walked over to Brody and kissed him.
“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you.” Tony kissed him again.
“Thanks, baby.” Brody stroked his cheek. “Go wash up so you can eat.”
“Right.” Tony whistled, heading to the sink. “How’d you sleep, Angelina?”
Brody shot a glance at Tony’s sister. She had an uncomfortable look on her face, but at least it wasn’t outright disgust. She’d better get used to guys kissing like that, he thought, because Les and Randy were worse than they were.
“Not bad. I talked to Mama and told her where I was. She didn’t want to discuss my divorcing Luis. She seems to believe we can reconcile.”
“Abuela really wants you to stay with Tio Luis, even though he’s a cheater and gay?”
Juan sounded puzzled.
“Mama’s very traditional. When you marry someone, you marry them for life.”
Angelina sighed, a sad look on her face. “I guess I’m not willing to turn a blind eye.”
Tony joined them and Juan served the food. Silence reigned for several minutes while everyone filled their stomachs. Brody sipped his coffee. This was one of his favorite times of the day. Everyone would gather around the table and make plans for the day.
“Tia Angelina,” Juan said hesitantly. “How is my mom?”
“She’s all right. Maria cries sometimes. I know she’s hurt.” Angelina reached across the table and gripped Juan’s hand. “I want you to know that no matter how terrible I thought your being gay was, I never told her to disown you.”
“You didn’t?” Tony looked surprised. “I thought she talked to you and Luis.”
“She did. Luis was the one who spoke of disowning Juan and throwing him out of the house. I was against it. No mother should ever turn their back on their child. Ever.”
The strength of her convictions rang in her voice.
“Yet you turned your back on Tony. Threw him away like a piece of garbage.”
Brody wasn’t ready to forgive and forget.
Angelina had the decency to look embarrassed. She shifted in her seat, but Brody wasn’t interested in giving her an out. No one else said anything.
“I know and I’m sorry for that. Things were different back then. I wouldn’t have dreamed about going against Mama and Papa.” Angelina looked up to see everyone staring at her. “I’m still not convinced it’s something you can’t help. I believe it’s a choice.”
“You believe the right girl could turn any of us straight?” Brody gestured to all the men at the table.
The stubborn tilt of Angelina’s chin looked familiar.
“I have the right to my own beliefs.”
“I thought you wanted to be a family again.” Tony stared at her from where he sat next to Brody.
“I do. I believe it’s a choice and not genetic, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to try and change you.” Angelina sighed. “I can learn to deal with who you love, Antonio. Man or woman. The only thing that matters is you love each other.”
Brody nodded.
Tony’s big sister smiled. “You don’t need me to validate any of your feelings. Tony, last night you told me you had a family here and I had to fit in with your family.”
Tony leaned against Brody and he slid his arm around the man’s waist, drawing him closer. Randy grinned and elbowed Yancey who took Juan’s hand. It was obvious caring linked all of the people in the room.
“No matter what I think, I’m not going to call you names or act disgusted when you touch or kiss. I’ll get used to all of it.” She reached across the table and touched Tony’s hand. “Just give me a chance. I’m not too old to change.”
“Mama and Papa?”
Brody’s heart ached at the pain in Tony’s voice. He pulled his cowboy closer to him.
Angelina shook her head. “I wouldn’t bet on them opening up to you again, mi hermano. They haven’t
