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“What did they say?”
“The staff didn’t inform me of anything, but, Bright? Brax said he’s in a medically induced coma. We’ll be with him as soon as we can get there.”
“Eli…” Pain bleeds through the line in the whisper of her voice.
“I know, baby. I’m grabbing a change of clothes at home and will be there. Less than thirty minutes, okay?”
“Hurry!”
“The ranch is secured. We need to pack a bag for Colt, since Brax asked us to watch him while he’s with Emberleigh at the hospital. Can you do that?”
“Okay.”
“Anything you think Kimp wants with him for the next few days while he recuperates?”
“Let me think on that.” The sounds over the line tell me she’s moving.
“I need my tablet, if you can grab it, and we need to figure out a car seat for Colt. Bright?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re walking into two crime scenes, and—”
“What?”
“This isn’t a surprise after today. The cops have left. Photos have been taken and evidence has been collected.”
“M’kay.” Her distracted tone means her brain is going ninety miles a minute.
I stay silent, waiting for her prompt, wanting her to pause long enough to center herself.
“So?” She continues.
“So… There’s been no clean-up.”
All sound through the line stops. I wait for a response, but none comes. I listen for footsteps or breathing but hear neither.
After longer than Brighton Ranger is known to be silent for, there’s a sniffle, followed by a deep inhale. The weight in her voice belies her words. “I’m tired of being this strong. At least today…”
“You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I’m in awe of you. You can do this.”
“I know I can, Eli.” Well, at least her spine is back. “I’m just tired of it.”
“I’m happy to take care of it, baby, so you don’t have to. You know I’d rather you not have those images burned in your brain.”
“But that means longer to get to Pop.”
“It does.”
“I’d rather deal with the aftermath of what I see and get to my dad faster.”
“That’s what I figured. Get after it. I’m at home. I’ll pack quickly and then be there to get y’all. Love you, darlin’.”
“Love you too, Eli.”
We disconnect and get on with the business at hand.
* * *
