Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,5

over the little plate with two sausage patties on it.

“Thank you.” He put one on his plate, then devoured it in three bites.

More coffee arrived via Jan’s steady hand, along with a plate of slightly too-dark toast. “Cook said to give this out, and y’all are the only ones left.”

“Oh, Dad-O. Crunchy toast for you to dip!” Susannah bounced, and he blushed, his cheeks going hot.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“You’re welcome, honey. Better than tossing it.” She stomped off with her one squeaky shoe, and tears stung his eyes. Again. The kindness of these people after the harsh reality of an hour ago was kind of exhausting.

“I—right. Let me finish this up, and I’ll be ready to start working.”

“I ain’t in no hurry. Kids won’t be home until four, and Bald Harold is watching Curly.” Brent sipped at his coffee.

“How old are the children?” It would be great for Susannah to have friends.

Jakob is five, Caro is four, and Daisy is six months. They’re a lot.”

“Lord have mercy. You have your hands full.” Still four and five could play with his girl and… He couldn’t get his hopes up.

Jesus, a week ago he was in their apartment off South Congress. A year and a half ago, he was a schoolteacher with a lover and a home and a little girl, a baby mama, and a good life.

Now, he had Susannah. And a job. He had a job. That would work. If she made friends, then even better.

“They’re good kids.” Brent chuckled. “Mostly.”

“All kids are good. I’ve taught second and third grade for eight years, and I never met a bad kid.”

“Eight years?” Both blond eyebrows went right up toward Brent’s hairline. “There’s no way you’re old enough for that.”

“Twenty-nine last week, but thank you.” He finished up the last of his toast. “You all done, angel baby?”

“Yessir! Go home now?”

Trace winced, but that ship was long gone. “We’re fixin’ to go see a ranch.”

She gave him a confused look, and Trace kept on. “Like with horses and cows?”

“Old MacDonald? Like Old MacDonald?”

Oh Lord, don’t pee yourself.

“I bet you could call Curly Old MacDonald and he would never know,” Jan said.

“Jan,” Brent chided gently, but he was grinning. “Your daddy wants to come work for me a bit, button, and I live on that ranch. You’ll like it.”

“Are you MacDonald? Like from the song?”

“No, ma’am. But I’m a lot like him.” As grim as Brent could seem, when he smiled at Susannah, Trace approved.

“Wow. Okay, Dad-O. I like him. He’s nice.”

“Well, good deal. I’m so glad.” God, she was adorable. Seriously. She was just…special.

I swear to God, Taneshia. I’ll take care of her.

“Okay, y’all. Hit the road.” Jan handed a bag to Brent. “For Curly and Harold. Grilled cheeses with bacon.”

“Thank you, Jan.” Brent made to pull out his wallet, and Jan waved him off.

“Come fix my sink trap on Sunday.”

“I can surely do that. Mount up, folks. Time for us to get to work.” Brent grabbed the bags and stood.

“Yes, sir. I just need to settle up. Baby, you need to potty?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Are you sure? Can you try, please?”

“Okay.” She climbed up on him.

Jan gave him a look when he stood up. “I said go on, now.”

“I’ll make it right, ma’am. I swear. Thank you.”

“I’ll go into the ladies’ with her, if you want. The men’s is…a man’s bathroom.” Jan rolled her eyes.

“Oh, would you?” That would be so awesome for his girl. Family restrooms were not so much a thing in small towns.

“Sure. Come on, sweet girl. Let’s go potty.”

“Yes, Miss Jan.” Susannah took Jan’s hand, then skipped down the aisle.

“She’s great,” Brent told him.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to meet your guys.”

“Be careful what you wish for.” Brent grimaced. “Look, Curly isn’t dangerous, but I will really need your help corralling him. That’s the main part of this job. He wants to still be useful, but he’s forgetting things like the stove.”

“I get it. I’ll need a ton of help learning what to do. He’ll help with that. It’s okay to keep Susannah home with me, yeah? She’s just only lost her momma.”

“It’s fine if you can do it. I—” Guilt flashed in those blue eyes. “I have to be able to work, and the kids are a lot. Their mom and dad passed away almost right after Daisy was born, and I’m doing a lot by myself.”

“I understand. I do. I… I’ll be a help. I appreciate the chance.” I won’t be too crazy. I won’t be a shit. I