Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,87
I need to run to the barn.”
“Wiley is on his way,” Dan said. “He said he would stop and get his ATV.”
“Thank God. Trace’s folks?”
“They’re on their way back and will meet you in San Marcos.”
“Thanks, Dan. I really owe you.” He stared at Trace. “How’s he doing?”
Dan looked at him, eyes serious. “Care flight will be here in ten. They’re looking for a safe place to land.”
Fuck, that was a nonanswer answer.
“Okay. Just tell me what we need to do.” He would have to follow, and he knew it. Even if someone else could fly, he couldn’t leave the kids. God.
“Once he’s off, I’ll go with Wiley to clear the road and get your truck here. Then you take the kids to San Marcos. I go back to work. Wiley stays here with Hal.”
“Okay. Hal can get back then. Curly was in a bad way.” He hated it. Hated having to let Trace go and not know what was happening. He would try to call Jesus too.
Jakob ran by with bowls and food, dragging stuff behind him on a blanket. Right. Goats. He knelt next to Trace. The goats could wait until Trace was on the chopper. “Baby? Can you hear me?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. We need to get to the van, huh?” Trace lifted his head, eyes rolling. “I can do it.”
“No.” He’d been whomped enough in rodeo to know Trace would need things explained. “Chopper is coming for you. As soon as the road is clear, I’ll come with the kids. We’ll take them to your folks at the hotel, Hal will come here, and I’ll stay with you and Curly. Wiley is on his way.”
“So is Jesus.” Dan held up the radio. “Wiley got ahold of him. Both their families are safe and dry, so they’re coming here.”
“I’m so sorry. I tried to—I tried, Brent. Y’all are my people.”
“You’re our people too. My person. You have no idea…” Brent took a deep breath. “I have a lot to tell you, but now you need to relax and start healing.”
“Jakob was so brave. He was amazing. You’ll be so proud of them.”
“I am. He’s feeding the dogs now.”
“I’m sorry.” Trace wiggled, sighing softly, eyebrows drawing in with pain.
“Shh.” He touched Trace’s arm, then bent to drop a kiss on his lips. “You kept our kids safe. I love you.” He could hear the rotors beating close.
“I love you. Don’t forget Caro’s moo-cow. She needs it to sleep.”
“Right. And Susannah’s mermaid.” He stroked Trace’s cheek. “We’ll be there in no time.”
“I love you.”
Then there were doctors and nurses and folks and Trace’s wild scream as they moved him. Susannah wailed, and he had to trust they would help his lover. His babies needed him.
“Dad-O! No! No! Don’t take him away!”
“I got you, Suzy Q. I do. They’re taking him to be with Curly. They’ll be there together when we get there.” He held her close, her and Caro and Jakob, who crowded in. Even Daisy set up a hysterical cry.
“You promise to God, Daddy? You promise our Dad-O is okay?” Suzy’s face was serious as a heart attack.
“I swear to God.” He leaned back to look her right in the eye.
“I believe in you.” She pushed in close, clinging to him like a limpet. “I love you, Daddy. I’m scared.”
“Don’t worry, sister. I got you.” Jakob patted her back. “It’s okay to be scared.”
“Me too, sister. I love you.”
Brent nodded. “I love all y’all. We can do this.”
They were a family. They could make it through anything.
Chapter 29
Trace woke up in a world of hurt, and he fought to sit up in the dark and remember where the fuck he was and what the name of the truck was that hit him. “Brent? Brent, where are you?”
“Shh. I’m right here, baby. Right here.” A chair scraped over hard floor. “Hey. You hurting?”
“Yeah. Where are the kids? Where are the babies? I didn’t mean to leave them.” It was his job, his life, his joy, loving his family.
“With Mom and Pop. They’re at a hotel, baby. They got where they couldn’t stay awake.” Brent’s hand landed on his arm.
“Oh God. The ranch? Are the horses okay? Are you? Curly? Jakob’s puppies? Lucy and Mina and Nanny?”
“Well, we know Nellie and Sarge are fine. Nanny is being treated for a cut on her behind. The puppies and twins are fine.” Brent turned on a soft light over his bed. “Curly is here. Hal is with him. He was going to go