Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,74
cup and drink two sips.”
Brent chuckled. “Like Curly. Hal will love your mom.” The cowboys had been in to eat, but they’d taken on all of Brent’s usual nighttime stuff.
“They’re going to be partners in crime.”
“They are.” Brent bounced Daisy when she fussed a bit.
Trace smiled at them, the expression on his face one of love. He could see that look every day of his life and know he was the luckiest man on earth.
“Trace, have you seen my—oh, hey, boss. I can’t find my damn water bottle.” Curly looked wore to the bone.
“I ran it through the dishwasher. You okay, man? Have a sit.”
“Just feeling a little puny.” Curly blinked. “My chest is kinda…lurgy.”
“Sit. Sit, man.” Trace frowned mightily. “Let me grab you a glass of water.”
“Thanks.” Curly sat, rubbing his chest. “This damn rain.”
Brent didn’t like this. Not at all. He leaned back, checking on Curly’s color.
Trace gave him a look when he passed over a glass to Curly. “Do you want something for it? Maybe a decongestant?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” He rubbed his chest again. “Maybe I’ll just go lay down.”
“Sure. How about I make some hot tea to take with you.”
Brent nodded. “That will make it feel better.” Damn it, of course tomorrow was a holiday. If Curly was sick, it would be a bitch to get him seen.
“Yeah. Yeah, sure. I’d like that.”
Trace put the kettle on and dug out some tea bags.
“Hey.” He leaned close. “You feeling lurgy, or is it tight? Is your arm hurting?”
“I ain’t having a heart attack, Brent.”
“Are you sure? I’ll run you in to get checked out.”
“I’ve had one. I swear this isn’t that. This is congestion. Swear to God.” Curly patted his hand.
“Okay. Well, have that tea and let me get you some of that mucus medicine. Be right back.” He would put Daisy down, get Curly medicated. He hated seeing his old friend brought down so low.
He knew it was the fact that each little loss reminded him that his time with the old man was dwindling. Curly was right with God, but Brent wasn’t ready, damn it.
Hal came in, looking right to him, but pasted on a grin. “Coffee on yet?”
“It is. Trace has his sh-stuff together.”
“I so do. I’m making Curly some tea for those lungs.”
Hal nodded. “Good deal. He’s got a little wheeze.”
“He was saying, be right back with that mucus stuff.” He took Daisy off with him, because she was out like his little light.
He put her down, and by the time he got back with the meds, Trace’s folks were there, fussing over Curly.
He thought maybe Curly had a wee crush on Allison. It was cute as hell. “Here you go, buddy.”
“You mind if I stay too?” Hal just spoke right up. “I’ll sleep on the recliner. It’s cooler in here, and we can help easier.”
Curly looked at Hal. “You sure, buddy?”
“Totally. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow, and those girls will come looking for you.”
Hal was a good, good man. The best friend anyone could ask for. Brent made a note to talk to Trace about moving Hal up from the bunkhouse full time as well. They had the rooms. They just needed a bed.
Trace brought Curly tea and then laid four cups of coffee. “I’m going to put the kids to bed and get stuff for the sofa.”
“Oh, I’ll help.” Allison followed Trace out, and Jack got talking to Curly, so Hal drew him aside.
“He started coughing last night but seemed better this morning. Then out there about an hour ago.” Hal shook his head. “He can take it easy tomorrow, and I’ll take him in Wednesday.”
“Fair enough. We’ll keep y’all close, and I’ll bully that tea into him.” He sighed and shook his head. “I hate that he’s not feeling good.”
“Yeah. I think we need to get Wiley to look under the floors in the bunkhouse. I think we got mold.”
“Shit. Okay.” Wiley laid floors part-time, so he was the man for the job.
Hal shrugged and shook his head. “May not be, but we ought to see.”
There was always something. Always. That was the life of a cowboy.
“I’ll put it on the list. What do you think of moving up here for a bit?”
“Works for me. That’ll let things dry out. Trace good with it?”
“I’ll talk to him tonight. We have the space, so I just need to make sure he won’t be overwhelmed.” They’d already chatted on it, but he needed to make absolute sure.
“Sounds like a plan.