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“Cyler is at the ranch. He’s communicating with Brax. I have more bandwidth, but the appearance of him talking with the family’s attorney is one we can’t afford. Besides, it provides no benefit, and Braxton needs the distraction.
“While we’re doing the Ranger wrap-up—horrible name, by the way—Exton and Willa will arrive in a bit.”
Kimp’s eyes roll to the ceiling.
Bright looks at me with all the playful sarcasm she can muster and announces, “This tube down his throat situation has its advantages. I can see that now.”
Kimp narrows his eyes, and Brighton’s full-bellied laugh feeds my soul. “Love you, Pop. To the moon and back.” She grabs his hand and her tone goes serious. She continues on a hushed whisper, “I was out of my mind yesterday, and you all trapped me, in essence, so that I was stuck. Almost lost my shit when that ambulance left your house and I couldn’t help. I wouldn’t have survived losing you.”
Kimp squeezes her hand, before gesturing with it from himself to her. I’ll never know, but I’m guessing he’s saying the same thing back to her.
Colt stirs and whimpers.
A knock sounds at the door.
And the hospital waiting game finally reaches an end.
By the time I leave to get Exton and Willa from the Austin airport, Kimp is free of the vent, but they’ve connected him to a tube providing oxygen via nostril prongs. They’ve threatened a mask if he doesn’t continue his recovery progression.
“Eli.” His gravelly whispered voice sounds like he screamed with strep throat at a college football game. “Thank you.”
I look at the man who I plan on being my father-in-law sooner rather than later. “I’ll do anything for your family, Kimp. Just do me a favor and get better. Your kids need you.”
His eyes hold mine as he reiterates, “Appreciate you, Eli.”
I grip his shoulder and give it a squeeze. “Love you too, Kimp. I’ll be back with Exton and Willa. Your family needs to be together right now.”
* * *
By nightfall,Kimp has been moved to a regular room. No doubt because of his continued medical improvement. Though I’m sure the overflowing family, multiple coffee runs, and the party trays from the local grocery store contribute more movement and noise than benefits most ICU patients.
It’s a relief to see Braxton and Emberleigh, but no one is more excited than Colt who squeals and opens and closes his hands, stretching for Braxton when they arrive. Good thing since Emberleigh beelined it to Kimp and is having a come-to-Jesus with him in front of everyone. “You promised. Rangers don’t break promises.”
“I’ve never said that.” Kimp smiles. “But I like it. We can go with that.”
More quiet words pass before he raises his hand to her cheek and thanks her again for helping him.
“So, what’s the latest?” Braxton asks the room, but it’s Brighton who answers.
“He’s here for several days due to fever after surgery. They’re administering IV antibiotics and watching. The real concern is the internal stitches.” Brighton is matter-of-fact. Her emotional highs and lows are behind her. Kimp is safe, and she’s back to being in charge.
“I’m getting tired of being spoken for while I’m in the room,” Kimp fake grumbles.
“You can tell the next person who asks. Promise. Layton will want to hear it from you anyway.”
“He better not be skipping a game.”
“He’ll be here Sunday night after his game. I forgot our jerseys, but we can have a watch party right here.” Braxton adds.
A moment later, he asks me to grab a coffee with him. It’s a ruse, but he needs reassurance that his family is safe. While I can’t promise that, especially with the challenge to the conservancy that he still doesn’t know about, I reiterate that I will protect his family in every way I can.
But first, I need to take care of his sister. Another thing that I’ve got to talk to him about. We just need a moment when we’re not embroiled in one crisis or another. And yesterday put us square in the crosshairs of the public’s curiosity.
* * *
Brighton
It takes verylittle to convince my family I’m dead on my feet and need a decent night’s sleep in my own bed. Eli acting as my chauffeur works out better than I expect. I can only assume Exton and Willa are riding the adrenaline wave, and Braxton and Emberleigh are so distracted with Colt and her concussion that neither couple notices the unusual arrangement.
