Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,86
keep it light, but his voice had a tremor in it.
“He did. He so did. Give him a month to get a little taller, and you can fire me.”
“It’s kinda hard to fire your lover.” He knew that crack had hurt. “I owe you an apology, but let’s get you to a doctor first.”
“Yeah. I think we’re fixin’ to have to.” Trace rocked little Daisy, tears sliding down his filthy face. Brent didn’t think Trace even knew. “I’m not just a nanny here. This is my home.”
“It is. All the way. You’re not just anything. I couldn’t do any of this without you. You saved our babies. My horses.” Brent was fixin’ to lose it. “Baby, you’re not a nanny. You’re my motherfucking soul.”
Trace nodded, trembling like a leaf. “Then you’re not allowed to fire me. Ever. Asshole cowboy.”
He barked out a hard, desperate little laugh. “No shit on that, baby. You got my word.”
Daisy burped.
“Yep. Where’s my girls? Caro? Suzy? Can you guys pack a bag for you and Daisy and Jakob?”
“A bag?” Caro asked.
“Where are we going?”
“To a hotel in San Marcos.”
Jakob shook his head, lips pressed hard together. “We got to stay here, Daddy. And take care of the animals.”
“I’ll get Wiley to come.” He was going to lose it.
“Call my folks. They’re not far,” Trace said. “They’ll come back.”
“I got no signal, baby. Dan? You got any signal?”
“I’ll get Lynn to call from dispatch. Get me a number.”
Trace’s phone was right there on the floor, so he got it.
Dan came to squat by them. “They’re coming to airlift Trace out. Kerr says five hours on the road. Lynn can call Trace’s folks and hopefully Wiley on the sat phone.”
“You guys get my vote every year for the rest of my life.”
“Yeah, yeah. Look, I have about forty-five minutes before the copter gets here. How can I help?”
“Mainly we need to keep the kids corralled. Get the dogs and two new kid goats taken care of. Make sure Trace isn’t gonna die on me.” He was only half joking.
“That part I can do. Jakob, buddy? How you feeling? Can you be my runner?”
Jakob was on the spot. “Yessir, Mr. Dan.”
“We need to get him down where his feet are above his head. I need pillows and blankets and something like apple juice. He’s shocky.”
Brent took Daisy, who clung to him. “Lord. I need to change her.”
“Her diaper bag is in the bathtub.”
Suzy stared at her father like she was scared of him. “Dad-O, please don’t die.”
“Oh, sweet girl. It’s just a broken leg. No big deal. They’ll fix me right up.”
She came to Brent, shaking her head. “Daddy? His head bleeds.”
“I know. We’ll get that fixed too.” Cowboy up, Brent. “Dan, did you bring that first aid kit?”
“You dropped it on the porch. I’ll get it, you change her, and we’ll make Trace more comfy.”
“Thanks. Susannah? Can you hold your Dad-O’s hand?”
“Uh-huh. You’re okay, Dad-O. You saved the horses and the puppies and the babies and the goaties and the chicken birds.” Susannah held his hand and jabbered at Trace.
Brent climbed to his feet so he could change Daisy, then checked on said goats and puppies. Mama Cass wagged, but she was watching the puppies, her nose against the pen.
Nanny’s cut already had a line of Band-Aids on it. Jakob.
Caro came to him, hugged his leg. “Daddy. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby girl. You okay?”
“Scared. It was real loud.”
“Well, I’m so proud of you. So proud.” He stroked her hair.
“Dad-O let the house hit him so we were safe.” Her eyes were wide as saucers.
“I know, baby girl. Good thing he’s a cowboy, huh?” He wanted to just hold Trace and tell him everything would be okay, but the kids needed him, and Dan was trained in first aid.
“Uh-huh. I cried, but I’m a cowboy too. I can help.” His brave, strong big girl.
He shifted Daisy to the other arm so he could hold Caro’s hand. “Good girl, Cass. Watch.” He left his big old girl with the goats and puppies and went back to the hall. Trace was on the floor, head on a pillow, good leg propped up high.
“Okay, Caro, did you two pack bags?” He knew they had to get organized.
“Uh-huh.” She pointed to four bulging backpacks. God knew what was in there, but he’d hit the Wallyworld for whatever else they might need. No problem.
“Good deal. Jakob, I need you to feed the dogs. I’ll get something out for the goats.