“Let’s just say Keely wasn’t the first woman in our family to get a lifetime ban from a local bar.”
Jack laughed. “I knew it.”
“So with her Gran-gran’s and her mom’s DNA, I’m thinkin’ Piper will be hell on wheels when she hits twenty-one.” Or seventeen—not that he wanted to worry Jack ahead of time.
“Then I’ll be pounding on your door, asking for advice. Or bail money.”
Carson raised both eyebrows. “You’re assuming I’ll be around? I’ll be damn near ninety-two.”
“You’ll be around,” Jack assured him. “Medical technology already replaced one of your worn out body parts. You might end up being the first bionic McKay.”
“Right. With just one part replaced there’s still a bunch of stuff I can’t do.”
“Not back on a horse yet?”
“I’m wondering if I’ll ever ride again.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you say nothin’ to Keely. She’ll get it in her head that I just need more damn therapy.”
“Maybe the better question is do you want to ride again?”
“You’re the first person who’s asked me that.”
“That’s not an answer, Carson.”
“I know. I’ve been ridin’ my whole life. It’s tough on a body. If I keep doin’ it… What’s next? Havin’ my other hip replaced? Then my knees? Then havin’ my spine fused together with metal rods? I ain’t sure I wanna spend my life in the hospital. Especially after what happened with me during surgery.”
“Can’t say as I blame you. Besides you are retired. It’s not like you have to ride a horse every day to make your living.”
Carson shifted back in his chair. “Bein’s we still live in the thick of things, the boys come over and ask for advice and help occasionally. I feel retired, but I’m not out of it completely.”
“No plans to spend winters down south?”
“Maybe a week or two. Especially if Ky ends up goin’ to ASU. But Caro won’t ever want to stay away from here for long. Too many memories.” Carson paused. “Too many grandkids.”
Jack honed in on the ASU comment and they spent the next ten minutes discussing the activities various McKay offspring were involved in, which segued into a conversation about college sports, which led to a discussion about Carter’s most recent commissions—metal sculptures depicting famous western athletes in action. Then the conversation came full circle as they talked about Jack’s projects and the growth of Keely’s physical therapy business.
“I want Keely to hire an employee, but she’s dragging her feet,” Jack said.
“Why? I thought she wanted to be home more.”
“She does. But she doesn’t think she’ll find anyone who’s qualified who only wants to work twenty hours a week. I’ve crunched the numbers for her and if she hires someone fulltime, she’ll still be in the black the first year. With another therapist, if she increases the amount of clients by a third, she’ll double her income in three years.”
“And the girl ain’t listening to you…why?”
“She’s stubborn. She says I already have enough money—” he snorted as if that couldn’t possibly be true, “—and I should retire and stay home with the kids.”
“Retirement ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
“I’ve heard that.” Jack checked his watch. “Speaking of work… I have a phone conference to prepare for. Is there anything I can do for you before I take off?”
Carson shook his head. “It’s a whole lot of waitin’ around.”
“If you think of something—anything at all—call me. I say that knowing full well that you won’t.”
“You’ve already done enough if you can keep my Keely girl on an even keel throughout this.”
“She puts on a happy face for our kids but once they’re down for the night, she does a whole lot of staring into space.”
“I’m familiar with that. But I pace too, just to mix it up.”
Jack smiled. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a flask. “For when you’re missing your Irish and need a nip to get you through this last day.”
“Thanks.” Carson nestled it in the bag of magazines on the floor. “Comin’ from Mr. Moneybags, I imagine it’s higher quality stuff than Jameson.”
“Of course. Once I get you used to drinking Laphroaig you’ll never go back.”
La-froyg. Even the name sounded fancy. “Unlikely, but I appreciate the gesture.”