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“A week.”
What was he supposed to do for a week?
“And before you start over thinkin’ it. Bill has a place lined up for you to go.”
“Oh, yeah?” Bullet laughed. “Am I bein’ committed somewhere?”
His dad laughed too. “I told your mother you were gonna say that.” Nate looked over his shoulder. “Hear that, Guinie? Bullet wants to know where we’re committing him.”
His mother came out of the bathroom, wiping her hands on a towel and laughing.
Bullet could hear Grey speaking his gibberish to Gram, who sounded as though she was loving it.
“She’s soaked from head to toe, but with a big smile on her face.”
Bullet looked his mother up and down. Gram was right about her. She didn’t look to have a drop of water on her, but he knew she’d been right in there, playing with Grey.
His mother looked herself up and down. “What?”
“Gram said you could play in a mud puddle and not get dirty. Looks as though you can give Grey a bath and not get wet either.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” She sat down at the table and covered his hand with hers. “Bullet, it’s hard work, taking care of a baby boy. On top of that, you’re running a big part of the ranch for the Pattersons. Don’t start imagining anyone is unhappy with the job you’re doing just because they care enough to want you to take a vacation.”
“If I’d had some notice, I might’ve been able to plan somethin’, but I can’t leave right now. I talked to Pearl’s mama yesterday. She’s supposed to call me back today about gettin’ her up here for a couple of weeks.”
“Your mama talked to Pearl’s mama. We’ll go get her the day before you get back. She’ll be stayin’ with us for a month.”
“A month?” Bullet scratched his head. He wanted to see his little girl, there was no doubt about it. But first they were suggesting he take a week off, and then have two kids with him for a whole month when he could barely keep a handle on one.
“It’s all settled. We’re stayin’ on to help with Grey and Pearl. Bill has made arrangements for you to visit the ranch he grew up on. And while you’re there, you’ll be riding bulls.”
“Are you serious?” Bullet couldn’t contain his smile. Was this really happening? A whole week, riding bulls. This must be some kind of dream. Or there was a catch. Was he going there on behalf of Flying R Rough Stock? He’d call over and talk to Bill once he finished eating his dinner.
“Look, Guinie, he can’t help grinnin’.”
“Where am I going?” Tristan asked her father.
“It’s a place in McCoy, Colorado. They want us to do private label work for them. Enough that it warrants a trip to see them.”
But, she’d just gotten home. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him about her plans, or even show him and her grandfather the designs she’d done. She couldn’t argue with him, though. If her father needed her to go, she’d go.
“Now, don’t get a pout on, little girl. You love traveling. Isn’t that what you’ve been telling me the last few years?”
He was right. She did love to travel. Or at least she used to. Now, all she wanted to do was spend a week at home.
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You go get some rest. Your flight doesn’t leave until noon tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” she gasped.
“Yes, tomorrow. You’re flying into Denver, and then taking a commuter flight to Edwards, where someone from the ranch will pick you up. It’s another hour from there.”
She studied her father as he spoke. It wasn’t like him to make arrangements without discussing it with her, especially when she’d just gotten home.
“This must be some deal.”
“Yes, it is. And, Tristan, I expect you’ll represent us well, as you always do.”
