Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,78
I’ll pretend to flirt with your old man.”
“Always the bridesmaid,” Pop said.
Jan patted Pop’s butt. “I’m trying to make my Lacey jealous is all.”
“Is she the jealous type?”
Trace grinned, leaving Pop in his element. “How’s it going?” he asked Curly, who was back in Bald Harold’s reading chair, singing to Daisy, who was playing with his moustache.
“Good. She’s happy to let me serenade her.”
“Excellent. I thought I’d come…sit.” He let his eyes go wide, dramatically.
“Oh Lord. Don’t say it out loud. You want the chair?”
“Nope. I will pull up the one back here.” There was a company chair pushed back against the wall. “You sleep okay last night?”
“I did. I do better up here. Sorry I’m such a bother, son.”
“I talked to Brent last night, and we’re going to move Hal in here and get the mold guy out to your house once the world dries out.” They couldn’t let their friends live in mold.
“Yeah?” Curly rubbed his chest on the side Daisy didn’t occupy. “That sounds real good.”
“Yeah. You get another of those pills? You can have another round.”
Curly frowned, trying to remember. “I think so, yeah.”
“We need to make you a thing on the board, huh? That way you can write it down when you take them.” Simple actions like that made things so much easier for a guy like Curly.
“Please. Thank you, sir. That would be a blessing.” Curly met his eyes. “I hate this.”
He didn’t pretend not to know what Curly was talking about. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll do my best to help.”
“Even when it’s bad?”
Trace held Curly’s gaze. “You’re family, Curly. You belong here. I’m just wanting to make the rest of your life easier.”
“You know I’m all about easier.” He winked, then took Daisy when Curly held her out. They could all rest a minute.
She patted him, wiggling and happy and awake. Sweet girl.
“You ready for the fireworks tonight? The party?”
“Da!” She patted him again.
Oh. He hugged her little self close. “Can you say Dad-O?” Trace knew she couldn’t, but it didn’t hurt to get her started.
“Da! O! Da! O! O! O!”
“Oh my God! Did you hear that?”
Curly hooted loud, clapping, which made Daisy bounce and squeal.
Brent came in during the middle of it. “What? What’s funny?”
“She said my name!”
“No shit? Well, I’ll be damned.” Brent beamed at him. “That’s our girl, huh?”
“Da! O! O! O!”
“Oh, look at you!” Brent laughed as hard as Curly. “She’s so smart.”
“Right? Our Daisy!” He bounced her, and she cracked up.
“She’s a smart one, for sure.” He saw Caro and Suze coming with crafts in hand. “Just like her brother and sisters.”
“We made fireworks for the fridge!” Susannah held her glittery picture up.
“Oh, wow. We should go put them up!” He handed Daisy back to Curly, who kinda cooed at her, then led a parade to the kitchen.
A glittery parade. Wow.
Good thing he had a mini shop vac with a great filter.
“That was so much fun!” Mom was laughing, the sound making him smile. It was so good to hear that joy.
“It was!” Even Jakob was on board. “Mine is red, white, and blue, Dad-O.”
“Perfect. Put it on the fridge. I love these.”
“Thanks, Dad-O! I made mine rainbow.” Suze held hers up.
“Gorgeous! I love them. All of them.”
“Granny made one too! It should go in a frame,” Caro said, nodding firmly. “Can we have some juice?”
“Of course. Apple or orange?” God, he was happy. Really happy.
“Apple! Orange! Bloody Mary!” His mom joined the chorus.
“Listen to you!” he teased, and Mom grinned.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“It is. I’ll make you one up.” He thought she was relaxing and having a good time, and he was proud.
Brent winked at him, and he grabbed Solo cups. If he knew Jan and Lacey, they’d want one too.
“What can I get you, Jack?” Brent asked.
“Just tea for now. I’ll have a beer with you boys later.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Brent started filling cups with ice. “I’m glad you’re here, babe.”
“Yes. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
“Good. Because I’d be nuts by now without you.” Brent bumped hips with him.
If he was super lucky, tonight he’d be driving Brent crazy all by himself. Happy Fourth of July fireworks to him…
“Stop it,” Brent murmured too low for anyone but him. “No getting me all riled.” He turned away to hand tea to Pop and take more juice to Curly.
He had to grin, because he liked Brent riled up, but it was early in the day.
“Looks like the clouds are clearing up,” Hal said, ducking into the