Page 32 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

CHAPTER TEN

“I’m rich!”

Huck came out of a dead sleep and sat straight up in bed at Poppy’s screech. Before he could even get his bearings, she dove on him and knocked him back to the pillows. A second later, they were joined by a barking furry beast as Poppy covered Huck’s face in kisses.

“Jesus, Pops!” He pushed her away.

Poppy flopped back on her butt and Wilbur covered her face in kisses, causing her to giggle. Huck had to admit it was nice to see her so happy.

“So I’m guessing you got your money from Mama’s will.” He stretched his arms over his head and yawned widely before Poppy smacked him in the face with a pillow.

“Not yet, but Billy called to say our checks are in the mail.”

Huck stuffed the pillow under his head. “Your checks. My share is going to Cadee.”

“Yeah, well, we had a little meeting about that.”

“Who had a little meeting?”

“Me, Jaxon, and Dawson—via Facetime for Dawson, of course.” She shook her head. “Our big brother was at the beach trying to surf. Can you believe it? Like in board shorts and everything. It was weird to say the least. Of course, I can’t really talk. Did I ever tell you about the time Wylynn talked me into wearing stilettos and a mini skirt for one of our gigs? Not only did I flash the entire front row my panties, but I also almost fell off the stage and killed myself.” She rolled her eyes. “The things we do for love.”

“I don’t care about Dawson becoming a surfer dude, Pops. Why did y’all call a family meeting without me?”

“To talk about you giving away your inheritance to Cadee.”

He sat up and reached out to scratch Wilbur’s head. “I’m not changing my mind. I don’t care how the family voted. I owe her that for raising my son.”

“That’s not why we called the meeting. We all get why you gave her the money, Huck. We agree that as Camden’s mama, she should get a share.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You all agree?”

She shrugged. “I wasn’t really thinking clearly the other day at Billy’s . . . or since Wylynn broke things off with me. But I’m a little more clearheaded now and realize that Cadee isn’t a gold digger. She’s just a mama looking out for her son. Although I don’t know why she needs money when she owns a huge ranch.” Huck chose not to mention the ranch being in debt. “Anyway,” she continued. “That doesn’t mean you should get nothing from our inheritance. You put up with the same things we had to put up with. Which is why we voted to split the money that’s left over after we pay Cadee four ways.” She shrugged. “I won’t be as rich, but I’ll have more than enough to cut an album.”

Huck shook his head. “Y’all don’t have to do that. You shouldn’t have to pay for my mistake.”

Poppy squinted at him. “Was having sex with her a mistake, though?”

Huck stared at her. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “I just thought you and Cadee were always more than friends. It was like she was your other half, and you were hers. Y’all finished each other’s sentences and had private jokes and were always happiest when you were together.” She hesitated. “Sorta like Mama and Daddy. They never were good apart.” She smiled sadly. “And yet, Daddy never could stay put.”

Since everything his sister said was true, Huck couldn’t argue. Her words left him with a deep sadness. He and Cadee had been the halves of a whole . . . until, just like his daddy, he’d left and ruined it.

“But it doesn’t really matter if Cadee getting pregnant was a mistake or meant to be. The family took a vote, and it was unanimous. You’re getting a share.” She grabbed a pillow and whapped him in the face. “Now come on. We’re going to Grounds For Divorce to celebrate.”

Grounds For Divorce was run by three sisters who had more divorces between them than all other Promise Springs residents combined. Which is why they’d made a pledge to boycott men.

Like the rest of the town, they didn’t much care for the Hennessy Hooligans, probably due to the penis painting, and had banned them from the coffeeshop when they’d first arrived in Promise Springs . . . until Tully told Jaxon about their passion for two-stepping and he decided not to charge them a cover charge when they came into Honky Tonk Heaven.

Free cover for access to coffee and mini donuts seemed like a good exchange.

The sisters seemed to think so too. With their pledge to stay away from men, they didn’t dance with male partners when they came to the dancehall. Instead, they took turns dancing with each other. Huck had to admit the women were damn good dancers. Especially Arlene who had a tricky little shuffle step she added to her two-step that Huck would like to learn. Something he’d told her the other night.

Which explained why she greeted him with a wink when he and Poppy stepped into Grounds For Divorce.

“Just let me know when you’re ready for those dancin’ lessons, Huck Hennessy.”

Huck might have answered with a teasing reply if his gaze hadn’t landed on Cadee sitting with Camden at a table by the window. Sunlight cast them both in golden light. He wished he could pull out his phone and take a picture. A dozen pictures. Two dozen. A thousand.