“Brandt and Jessie have their hands full right now, doncha think?”
“Yep. But I’m plenty busy myself picking up the slack around the ranch since Brandt is embracing fatherhood.”
“What’s going on at the ranch isn’t my concern,” she said with a sniff.
“That’s because Landon had been your only concern the past few years.” Just like Luke was always your number one priority.
Childish, probably, but accurate, and not the first time he’d had that thought. But it was the first time he’d voiced it to her.
“Tell McKay. That’s not true. I thought you liked taking care of Landon.”
“I do. I love the kid. But I hate that the only time I see him is when I’m the last resort for childcare. How long before Landon will resent getting shuttled off to his bachelor uncle’s at the last minute?”
“Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“That’s me. Silly Tell, flitting around like a damn butterfly without a care in the world.”
A long pause. “Son. Have you been drinking?”
He forced a laugh. “Look, Mom, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
“You’re really saying no?”
“Yep, I really am. Bye.” He hung up. And it felt good.
An hour later Tell was thinking about a prime rib sandwich as he got ready for dart league, when he heard someone at his door. Doubtful it was his sweet woman, but he kept a goofy smile in place just in case as he snapped the last pearl button on his short-sleeved shirt and answered the door.
But his brother Brandt stood on the front porch.
“Hey, bro. Is everything all right?”
“Not according to Mom.” Brandt bulled his way inside.
“Mom called you?”
“Yep. She thought you were drunk or high or some damn thing, so she sent me to check on you.” Brandt squinted at him. “Are you?”
“Drunk? No. High? No.”
“Pissed?”
Tell shrugged. “Getting there, since my mommy called my big brother to make sure I wasn’t being naughty or pouting. So maybe it’d be best if you skedaddled on home to the wife and kiddie.”
Brandt didn’t budge. “What’s goin’ on? You never have words with Mom.”
“Wasn’t really an exchange of words—except for the one word she didn’t wanna hear when I said no to drivin’ to Casper to take care of Landon tonight.”
“She mentioned it, and I don’t see what the big deal is.”
That got Tell’s back up big-time. “Yeah? Then why don’t you hop in your truck and do it?”
“Because I have a wife and a kid to take care of.”
“And because no one believes I have a life outside of ranch work, my free time is up for grabs? Ask Tell to make a three-hour trip, he won’t mind. Guess what? I do f**king mind.”
Brandt’s mouth dropped open.
“What? You were expecting I’d be cracking jokes?”
“I guess I was.”
“Too bad I’m fresh out of funny.”
They stared at one another. “How many times has Mom asked you to watch Landon in the last year?”
“At least twice a month. Except it’s gotten more frequent since calving ended.”
“And you say yes every time she asks.” A statement.
Tell nodded. “Except for today. That don’t mean I’m gonna stop helping out entirely; I’m just not doin’ it today.”
“Now that I’ve heard your side, I’m glad you stood up to her, because Mom has gotten…pushy lately.” Brandt sighed. “Some days, she reminds me of Dad.”
“Glad I’m not the only one who’s seen it.”
“I’ve noticed it and so has Jess. But I know you, Tell. That alone ain’t enough to set you off.”
Set him off? He’d been downright pleasant to his mother. How would people react if he really went off?
“You poke at me until I start talkin’, so I’m gonna do the same to you, bro. What else is on your mind?” Brandt asked. “‘Cause you’ve been actin’ pissy. I suspect it’s got something to do with me.”
Tell counted to twenty in an attempt to temper his response, but maybe it was better to let fly. “Fine, Brandt, here it is. You’ve been a shitty ranching partner the last six months. I understood your distraction when Jessie was pregnant. But now that Tucker is here, I’ve waited for you to step up and do your part and it hasn’t happened yet. I’m frustrated and tired of cuttin’ you slack. I’m forced to make decisions because you won’t, and then you question me on every damn thing I decide. Me’n Dalton are tired of it.”
Brandt’s face turned a mottled red.
A few excruciatingly tense moments passed and Tell wondered if Ben had given him bad advice all around: about confronting the family problem head-on with his mom and Brandt, as well as staying away from Georgia.
Then Brandt dropped onto the couch. “Fuck. When did I become that guy? The guy who does the minimum amount of work, who comes in late, leaves early and puts his life ahead of everything else?” Brandt chewed that over for a bit. “Christ. I’m actin’ just like Luke did.”
“I wouldn’t have said that, but since you did… Yeah. Maybe a little.”
”I’m sorry, Tell. There ain’t no excuse.”
“Nope.”
“Won’t happen anymore. I promise.”
“Good to know.”
Brandt pushed to his feet. “So, you tired of riding herd on me yet?”
Just like that, Tell knew Brandt’s slacker days were behind them. Neither needed to beat this issue to death; it was over and done with and they’d move on. Now he wished he would’ve said something sooner. “Maybe a little.” He grinned and lightly punched Brandt in the arm. “Hey. Maybe Dalton will f**k up and you’ll be off the hook.”
“Wouldn’t put it past that kid. He’s always got some damn secret.” He snorted. “Kid. Now I really sound like Luke. Anyway, thanks for the kick in the ass before you had to kick my ass.” Brandt cuffed Tell on the arm. “So as long as we’re bein’ all touchy-feely and shit… Jess wants you to come over for supper tomorrow night.”
“Thanks, but I can’t. I’m working a rodeo in Belle Fourche all day tomorrow that lasts into the evening.”
“Guess I deserve to do chores by my lonesome for a change, huh?” He smiled and punched Tell in the arm just a little harder than the first time, which was a sign things were getting back to normal. “Come by anyway if it ain’t too late, because we’re usually up.” Brandt smirked. “I promise we won’t ask you to baby-sit.”