Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,22
and send him off to the Walmart.
“Rock on. He’s got a little girl too? Caro’s got to be over the moon.” Jesus grinned. “In a bit, there’ll be someone for little Daisy to play with, eh?”
“Yeah. I can’t believe you managed to snag such a fine lady and get her to have a baby with you.” He winked at Jesus. “Okay, guys. No more stalling. Heavy lifting.”
“Sweating. Flexing. Working for a living.”
They all cracked up, careful to rinse their dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
They all got to work after they left the kitchen, clearing the rooms in no time. The rosewater scent would air out with some open windows and Febreze, but man, those curtains…
“Hey! Eggs gathered. Rabbits and chickens fed. Goats watered.” Trace bustled in, Daisy against his chest, waving her little arms and legs. “What can I do?”
“Uh. Well, we need to see what all you want from our used furniture sale.” He grinned wide and motioned to the stuff.
“Ooh! It’s like the world’s best stuff!”
Daisy cracked up at Trace, her happy laughter filling the air.
Brent bent to kiss her head, smelling baby smell and barnyard. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Da!”
Trace blinked at him, then at the baby. “Whoa.”
“That’s my girl! Yes, she is.” God, Brent’s heart swelled. She was such a freaking ball of joy.
Trace was all smiles. “You want her for a second, man? She sure knows who you are.”
“Sure.” Brent helped ease Daisy out of the harness, then bounced her around in his arms. “The other kids washing up?”
“They’re getting ready for half an hour of TV before morning snack. Then they’re going to help unpack books.”
“Good deal.” He liked Trace’s ideas about routine already. “Well, take a minute to come look, then. There’s a queen bed. We can get a new mattress delivered, but it’s not gross. Just a little older than not.”
“I’ll vacuum it, no problem.”
Soon they had the apartment basically set up. Beds, bookshelves, dressers, even a nightstand and a loveseat with an end table in the sitting area.
Susannah’s room was a little barer, but there was a bookshelf for her books and toys, a twin bed, and a little table for her nightlight lamp.
“This is amazing. I can’t even thank you guys enough.” Trace was looking around, just beaming. “You are made of total win. Thanks.”
“It came out pretty good, huh?” Jesus wiped sweat with his bandana. “Boss says there’s leftovers for lunch?”
Brent rolled his eyes. “Jesus is always on empty.”
“There is. I’ll get things started.” Trace’s smile was pleased. “Enchiladas for supper tonight, boss.”
“That sounds like heaven.” It did too. He figured Trace would make the kids one with less spice, so he was looking forward to them no matter what kind Trace made.
“Good deal.” Trace grabbed the baby carrier and checked the kids, who were going through dozens and dozens of children’s books. “Are y’all ready to help with lunch? I need someone to make fruit salad.”
Brent had to see this. They were only little…
“I can help, Dad-O!” Susannah bounced.
“I can set the table,” Jakob said. Jakob thought fruit was sticky, which Brent had heard over and over since the kids had come to live with him.
“Me too, Dad-O?” Caro asked.
That was kind of adorable, that Caro was imitating Susannah and calling Trace Dad-O. He didn’t really give a shit what the kids called Trace, so long as they were safe and happy. Hell, he’d been Daddy Brent since Jakob was old enough to talk. He could hear Shane in his soul, “Go see your Goddaddy Brent,” and little Jakob had crowed, “Daddy Bent!” That had made him and Hayley cackle, and the name had stuck like glue.
“Yes, you too. You want to be in charge of berries, grapes, or bananas?”
The kids just followed along.
He watched the girls cut bananas with a spoon, then pluck grapes off stems, and before he knew it, there was fruit salad with a little mint and some sugar and orange juice.
Damn that was…friggin’ clever.
Jakob set the table, and Harold showed up in time to chop brisket. Things were starting to smell good.
The kids were so proud of themselves, and Trace’s little girl was just about the cutest thing ever, with shining dark eyes and wild, wonderful curls.
They all sat down to eat, including Greg and Dean, who’d been out with Harold.
“This is my new friend, Susannah,” Caro said. “We made the fruit salad.”
Hal’s eyes went wide. “For real? Can I have some? Curly needs some too.”
“Yessir. It’s really yummy.”
“I set the table,” Jakob