Ranch Manny - B.A. Tortuga Page 0,88
back to the ranch, but Wiley called in Jesus and two of his cousins.”
“Are you okay?” He blinked at the light, then down at the blanket. “My leg is set?”
“It is. They had to do some pulling and pushing, I can tell you. They were impressed with your splint.”
“Jakob and I make a great team.” He forced himself to meet Brent’s eyes. “It’s not a job. What I feel for the kids, the critters, you—it’s not what you pay me for.”
“I know.” Brent nodded once, gaze never wavering. “I was a dick, baby. I snapped at you, and I’m sorry. You’re my family, and I love you.”
He searched Brent’s eyes, and he saw nothing there but honesty. Well, there was some exhaustion too, but that was to be expected. “I am yours, cowboy, and you’re mine.”
“You know it, Trace. This is for real. And for good.” Brent took his hand, the one without the IV.
“Forever. God, I love you. Let’s go home?” He wanted to snuggle up and sleep for a month.
“Oh, baby. The kids want to come have breakfast with you in the morning. They want to keep you a few days to make sure there are no blood-clot issues.” Brent laughed, the sound rough. “There’s part of a tree in our room.”
“We’ll figure it out. We’ll rebuild. The eight of us are safe.”
They’d get a travel trailer if they had to.
“Yep. Your folks are worried, but I think they’re kinda tickled. They took the kids to Denny’s.”
“Did they?”
“Yeah. Your pop and Jakob are heading to the ranch tomorrow to do some damage control while your mom takes the girls swimming at the hotel.”
“I—” Wow. Just wow. “Can I have a drink? I’m dry as a bone.”
“Yes.” Brent got him the big adult sippy cup. “Here, honey.”
“Thank you.” He reached up, drinking deep. He brushed at his head, wincing. “Stitches?”
“Yeah, you had a gash.”
“The roof fell on me.”
Brent reached up to touch his cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“I needed you to come and save me. I was in a bad way.” Once he’d gotten down on the floor, he hadn’t been able to figure it out.
“Jakob was scared you were dying.” Brent chuckled. “Hell. I think Dan was too.”
“Jakob is a cowboy. Just like his daddy. He buckled up and dealt. And our girls held it together, man.”
“They were all amazing.” He’d heard them telling Mom and Pop all about it when they arrived at the hospital.
“Do you need to go sleep, babe? I won’t be mad.” Trace wanted Brent to stay, but he was a grown-up, dammit.
“I can sleep here. The couch makes into a bed.” Brent grinned. “I’m stayin’.”
He nodded, then let himself relax. “Thank you. I need you.”
“Well, I’m right here.” Brent got up, then kissed him on the mouth. “Let me get the nurse to come give you something for the pain, and we can go to sleep.”
“Thank you. Love you, cowboy.” He winked, feeling like they were caught in the eye of the storm still, in this silent spot before things began again.
“Love you, baby.” Brent kissed him again, then left to get the nurse.
Lord, what a day.
He’d survived it. Now he just had to make sure they all made it through tomorrow.
Chapter 30
Brent drove back to the hospital, the big bag of food on the seat beside him. The kids had slept in, and truth be told, so had he and Trace.
So when he went to get breakfast, he’d stopped by a couple of other places too.
He walked into the hospital, nodding to Evelyn at the nurses’ station. “Hey, lady. They all being good?”
“Sweet as sugar. Doctor says he’s going to be able to go home tomorrow.”
“That’s a good deal. We need to spring Curly too, but Hal is having a good old time eating with y’all every day.”
“Mr. Curly is doing great, but we’ll have to find a place where he can finish healing.”
“Jan and her brother found us two travel trailers while we’re rebuilding. The bunkhouse is leveled, and the house needs work.” He had good friends and great insurance. He just needed to get in to see his family now.
“Well, there you go. He might be okay with a home health nurse after a bit.” She winked. “Go have breakfast.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his hat to her, heading in to find the girls coloring, Allison talking to Jakob, Jack reading his phone, and Trace cuddling with Daisy.
“Hey! Whataburger.” Brent held up the bag.
“Hooray!” Trace grinned at him. “Did you