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I flop onto my back and let him climb me. He chatters, absolutely trying to communicate though I have zero clue what he’s saying. Eventually he rests his head on my chest, and I wrap my arms around him and rub his back and down his legs, humming an unknown tune.
The rhythm of his breathing lulls me and calms me in a way little besides Luna or Straight can. It doesn’t take long before his weight feels heavier, and I know he’s asleep. I quietly sing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to him. I skip the first stanza. Jimmie Davis must’ve had a dark soul that Johnny Cash tapped into, but I don’t need that verse. I need the sunshine part, not the darkness.
A throat clearing rips my attention away from thoughts of Louisiana governors and country music legends and plants me right back in present-day Austin in a hospital waiting room. I tilt my head back, scraping my hair aggressively on the low-rise carpet, to find Elias standing above me.
“Came to find you. Kimp is waking up, and I know you want to be there.”
I look down at Colt and then back up to Eli and gesture with my chin. “I’m trapped. Another man has me under his spell.”
“Not on my watch,” Eli says, imitating throwing his cape back to come to my rescue. He leans down, lifting Colt to his chest, before he extends a hand to help me.
I wink and sashay in front of him, hurrying for the double doors. “Jealous, Eli?”
“Nah. But he and I will have words if this continues.” I can hear the smile in his voice though his threat is idle.
“You better not. I’m his favorite aunt. It needs to stay that way.”
I think I hear his soft laugh but I’m already pushing open Pop’s door, several steps ahead of them.
* * *
Elias
Kimpton looks weak,but he’s awake. He’s awake and alive, and today is a good day for that reason alone.
“Good to see you, Kimp.”
He nods and gives a lackluster thumbs-up. The vent is still attached, and he points to it and makes a face.
“Pop, it’s there for your protection,” Brighton admonishes, but softens her tone immediately. “Just keep getting better, and they’ll remove it. Betting you’d like some water too.”
Kimp makes a mewling sound that we can’t decipher.
“I’m sure that was notbeer. I’m positive that wasn’tbeer.” Brighton says, removing her hands from his arms to plant them firmly on her hips. “And here I was worried about you.”
Kimp taps her palm gently and looks at me, raising his eyebrows.
“The ranch is under control. Sheriff’s deputies are back today though,” I offer as Bright’s face whips to mine. “I got the call while I was running errands.”
“You’ll find out soon enough since you’ve been unconscious for most of it. Bronwyn Carrington planned to kidnap Colt. She and the man she hired to carry out the plan died in the attempt.”
Kimp’s eyes flutter closed. The beeps on one of his machines accelerate.
“The plan to keep a low profile for you and your family was literally shot to shit yesterday with multiple fatalities. It’s public knowledge, so I’m not divulging anything I shouldn’t by letting you know that Braxton took out Bronwyn, while Bright eliminated the threat to Colt.”
Kimp’s eyes spring open, and his shocked gaze flits from me to pin his daughter. He squeezes her hand, eyes imploring.
“Idiot,” Bright states.
He’s determined this time when he points to the vent again and then to the door. It’s obvious he’s losing patience and wants it out.
“I’ll ask.” Colt and I go to the nurse’s station and request a consult to remove the vent, returning after a few minutes, giving Bright and her dad another private moment.
“It’s been requested, Kimp. Everything here happens on hospital time. They rush when you’re in danger or need attention, but other than that, it seems they’re far more cautious. That said, they let us in here last night after midnight and let us stay, with a baby. We’re grateful.”
He nods. It’s all he can do. Except he rolls his wrist as well, prompting me to keep going.
“Not much more to tell for now, anyway. Emberleigh is at the county hospital and stayed overnight for a concussion. Brax is with her. She should be discharged today. They’re also on hospital time, so we’re all learning patience.
