Once a Father

Free Once a Father by Kathleen Eagle

Book: Once a Father by Kathleen Eagle Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kathleen Eagle
enough, but when I did, man…” He shook his head, smiling as his stick sent up a shower of sparks. “That was always a good day. As long as you weren’t getting shot at. Not that big of an adrenaline junkie.”
    Yeah, right. The Screaming Eagles pissed pure adrenaline.
    â€œI wanted to get away. That’s why I enlisted.” Mary smiled sweetly. “I’ve traveled, learned so much, met people. It’s been a good life.”
    â€œHas been? Sounds like you’re thinking of making some changes.”
    â€œI really do like my job. I think I could do it as a civilian. You know, train…” She was straying into speculative territory. Uncharted waters, poor visibility. “What about you? You have two jobs and two sons. A full life.”
    â€œMmm-hmm.” He eyed her for a moment. “What do you wanna know?”
    â€œDo your sons live around here? What do they do?” She smiled. “Are you a grandfather?”
    â€œMy sons have no children.” He lifted one shoulder. “As far as I know.”
    â€œThey aren’t close by?”
    â€œTrace—the older one—he’s a professional rodeo cowboy. I see him once in a while. He’s out in Wyoming. And Ethan…” He stared into the fire. “Ethan’s been working with horses, too.”
    â€œBoth following in their dad’s footsteps.”
    â€œI wouldn’t say that. Each one is doin’ his own thing in his own way.”
    â€œWhere’s Ethan?”
    â€œLast I heard he was in Colorado. It’s been a while since I saw him. He keeps in touch with Trace.”
    â€œSo you know he’s safe and healthy.”
    â€œIf he’s not, he knows where to find me.” He tossed the stick into the flames. “Never turn your back on family. Those ties are thicker than blood. You get ’em all twisted up, you can choke on ’em.”
    â€œI’m not the one who’s twisted,” she said quietly.
    â€œThen you’ll be okay.” A sudden breeze sent wood smoke into his face. He slid closer to her, turning a coughing jag into a laugh. “Hey, you feel like you’re choking, step back. Catch your breath. Come out here and…” He coughed again. “…and be with your horse. This is why the man sits opposite the tipi door.”
    She glanced at the structure that towered nearby, wondered what it was like inside, when she would be invited in, how long she would stay.
    â€œAre you still married? Technically, or…”
    â€œNo. Not technically or any other way. You can’t tie the knot from just one string.”
    â€œWell, you can , but…”
    â€œAll you’ll have is a tangled string.” He jacked one knee up for a forearm rest and eyed her frankly. “You be straight with me, I’ll return the favor, and we’ll get along fine.”
    â€œLook.” She nodded toward the pen. No longer glued to the far side, the mustang peered at them. “He’s listening to us.”
    â€œSure feels like it.” Logan wasn’t looking at the horse directly. “He can’t get away from us and he’s too smart to beat himself up trying, so he’s trying to put the pieces together. We don’t eat grass, but we’re not looking for horsemeat, either. We’re not loud. We don’t smell too dangerous. Maybe we got separated from our own herd and we’re putting together a new band.” He chuckled. “What should we call ourselves? Mary and the Contraries?”
    â€œClever. Just call me Mare.”
    â€œSo that’s what he smells.” He glanced at her and smiled. “The Indian way, a contrary is like a clown. He does everything backward—the opposite of the way everyone else does. We traveled in bands, too, and there was always a heyoka. ”
    â€œTo entertain?”
    â€œHe makes people laugh, but it’s really about balance. Everyone has

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