Page 12 of Cowboy Daddies

Grady must have been thinking the same thing because he wasted no time in frog-marching the man toward the door and out of their field of vision.

Everyone else in the restaurant, however, seemed to be enjoying the show.

Fiera’s eyes were wide. She leaned over and whispered, “Did you see how he almost picked that man up? He didn’t even break a sweat.”

Sage shook her head and covered Rose’s ears in rebuke, before winking at her friend in agreement.

“What the hell, man? Get your hands off me. You’re gonna break my arms!” Ditching the cowboy façade, the man practically cried as Grady dragged him across the saloon.

“Too late for that, cowboy. Let me show you how we deal with asshole drunks in Wyoming.”

He’d just gotten to the door when it swung open.

“Hello, Boone, Tildi.” Grady backed up to let his friends enter. “How are things out on the Wild River Ranch?”

“Pretty good,” Boone said. “Tourist?”

Grady nodded.

Sage waved at her friend and motioned her over to join them at the table.

Tildi waved back before turning to Boone. “I see Fiera and Sage. I’ll just join them if you don’t mind, Daddy,” Tildi said, heading to the table before Boone could answer.

Boone shook his head as he watched her prance across the saloon. “Go ahead,” he called out after her. “I’ll help Grady here take out the trash. But don’t think we won’t be talking about you walking away from me just now when we get home.”

Sage knew what that meant, but grinned. She was pretty sure that’s what Tildi was hoping for in the first place.

Sage watched as Grady hoisted the drunk tourist around toward the exit. “If you’ll just hold the door for a minute, I’d appreciate it,” Grady said.

Boone reached over and held it open. Looking over at the drunk, he grinned. “After you.”

Sage wanted to cheer when Grady shoved the man out and kicked him in the ass for good measure. The man went sprawling out onto the sidewalk.

Grady and Boone turned back toward Sage’s table, just as the entire place broke into applause. Several men yelled their approval. Neither Grady nor Boone paid any attention to the commotion.

Sage let out a shaky breath, her cheeks burning. Her bottom was doing that tingly thing again, and she was not going to think about why.

When he reached the table, Grady looked down at her, eyes dark and intense. “You okay, Sage?”

She nodded quickly, suddenly feeling very small. “Yes, Sir.” Once again, Sage felt her cheeks flame.

Grady stroked Rose’s hair. “You okay, sweetie?”

Rose smiled and nodded, still clinging to Sage.

Grady turned to Fiera. “How ‘bout you?”

Sage struggled against the jealousy that reared up inside her. It was ridiculous. Grady was just concerned. But something inside her didn’t want him to be concerned about another woman, even if she was one of her best friends.

Fiera grinned. “I’m fine, Grady. Just glad you showed up when you did.”

Grady tipped his hat. “Any time, Fiera.”

Tildi was now sitting with Fiera and Sage, lightly bouncing a large red kickball on top of the table.

Boone reached over and picked up the ball off the table. “We don’t play with balls inside, now do we, babygirl?”

“No, Daddy,” Tildi responded.