Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,23
muttered.
“And you did great,” Trace said. “I really appreciate it. I think we should make peanut butter cookies this afternoon while the girls nap, hmm?”
“Yeah?” Jakob perked right up. “I love peanut butter.”
“Excellent. We’ll work on them later.”
Smooth. Trace had just diffused any drama and made Jakob feel special.
Brent bounced Daisy on his knee, and she burped, this wild, adult sound, making everyone cackle.
“Good Lord, listen to her. She’s going to be a trucker.” Trace’s laughter rang out.
“She’ll have good hats,” Curly said, which set them all off again. Well, all except the littles, who stared at them like they were nuts.
“My pretty girl is going to be the best trucker ever.”
“Da!” She waved her arms again, her little boxer moves her new favorite thing.
“I’m pretty too.” Caro started to pout.
“You’re my beautiful Caroline and I love you so,” Brent agreed.
“Can I be beautiful?” Susannah asked.
“You are, sweetie.” Brent winked. “You’re gorgeous.” She was like his kids. She’d been uprooted and lost someone close to her and she needed reassurance. “Did you know Caroline has dress-up clothes? Y’all might have to do a pageant for us tonight.”
“Yeah? I got high heels, two pairs. I can share. Dad-O, we can put my toy box in my new room, right?”
“Sure we can. You can show me where you want it to go.”
Susannah nodded and set back to her lunch. There was a calm energy around Trace—like a bubble of ease. Brent appreciated that. He also wondered if the son of a bitch ever got mad.
If he’d taken as many hits as Trace had, he’d be swinging all the time.
That was the cowboy in him. He got fighting mad over shit he should just let go.
Hell, he got fighting mad in general. Peaceful wasn’t really in his lexicon. If it was, his happy ass wouldn’t have been in rodeo.
He grinned when Susannah and Caro bent their heads together, whispering, and Curly distracted Jakob by feeding bits of brisket to the dogs with him. Who was he kidding? He loved his life.
“Da!” Daisy popped him right in the chin.
“Oof.” He made a dramatic show of letting his head fall back. “You got me.”
That happy baby giggle suited him to the bone. He loved knowing Daisy was still the happy baby she’d been all those months ago.
Caro and Jakob remembered. They needed more attention, and he was glad Trace was here to help.
“Huh?”
“Are you heading out with me and the boys now, boss?” Harold repeated.
He nodded, even though, really? He could totally take a nap with the baby, watch Trace make cookies.
Curly gave him a knowing look. “Go nap, son, as Trace fed everyone today, they ought to be able to finish out there. You got things you need to help with here.”
“Dad-O will need help with my toy box,” Susannah said very seriously.
You know, Curly was right. “I’ll be here if y’all need help, but I’m going to do some work around here.”
“No problem, boss.” Jesus hesitated. “If I chip in a five, do you think y’all could do an extra dozen cookies, Trace? My girl loves them so much, and she’s feeling kinda, uh—”
“Pregnant?” Wiley put it right out there.
“Of course. I’d be happy to.” Trace looked to Brent. “That’s okay, yeah?”
“That’s fine if you don’t mind.” He could spare an extra cup of peanut butter for the pregnant lady.
“You have to give her the ones I make,” Jakob said.
“Oh, that’s a good idea. We’ll do that.” Trace nodded, and the kids lined up to put their dishes in the dishwasher.
“Thanks for all the great food, man.” Jesus shook Trace’s hand. “Glad to have you onboard.”
“Ditto.” Wiley waved, and one by one the guys filed out. Bald Harold filled a bag with nibbles too.
“You mind if I sit a minute before I start on scrubbing the rust off that old trough, boss?” Curly asked.
“Not one bit. Daisy and I intend to watch a movie through our eyelids.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect. Girls, you want to come sit with me?” Curly beckoned to the girls.
“Yes!” Caro crowed. “We got to get our blankies, Suzy! Daddy Brent, did you know Suzy has a blankie too? Hers has Moana!”
“Oh, that’s neat. Curly’s has hunting dogs.” Brent winked at Curly.
“It does! I love that blanket. Come on, ladies. We got to stake out our spot.” Curly got the girls moving.
“Trace, you need help with the dishes?” Brent asked. He had a feeling Jakob would totally hang out with his new best buddy.
“I’ll help, Daddy Brent. We’re fixin’ to