AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Benton,” Cal said, striding over to him. “Time to get you home, brother.”
“Do you mind?” The nurse closest to Cal produced a cell phone, and he stepped away from Bent, allowing all three nurses to crowd around him for a photo. Once that was done, he grabbed a large blanket from the bed and set it on Bent’s lap, then rolled him out into the hall.
“Goodbye, Benton,” Jane Lawson said as they sailed past. She was behind the nurse’s desk and got to her feet to wave. It was echoed by everyone they saw on their way down. Cal wrapped the blanket around his brother and pushed him to within a foot of the truck.
“Damn, Cal. Nothing says asshole like spending an entire year’s wages on a truck.”
He helped Bent onto the passenger seat and buckled him in.
“I know that. But wait until you see how she rides.”
The trip out to the ranch seemed to take less time than it should have. Cal had a favorite music station playing softly, and the two men made small talk about pretty much everything other than the things they should have been talking about. Scarlett. Manley.Millie Sue.
Cal told Bent that they had a Christmas tree ready to go.
Bent asked after the cattle.
Cal then offered up some advice on a few horses coming up for auction he felt would be a great addition to the Triple B’s breeding program.
Then Bent asked after Cal’s tour, mainly the canceled dates situation.
Their conversation went like that until they pulled up to the house. Cal barely got the truck into Park before the front door flew open and Nora came running down the steps. Dressed in pink from head to toe, she sported a shiny turtleneck two sizes too small, a tutu that was adorned with enough bling to make a rapper take notice, and silver tights tucked into her favorite blue cowboy boots. One of her pigtails hung low, the tie nearly out, while the other stood at attention like a soldier.
“Daddy!” she squealed, jumping up and down impatiently while Cal grabbed the crutches he’d stowed earlier and helped Benton out of the truck. “You’re all better, except your face still looks yucky.”
“Hey. Princess,” Bent said softly, wincing as his daughter wrapped her arms around his midsection.
“Your dad’s ribs are sore. Remember what we talked about?” Cal said gently.
Nora’s arms fell away from her father, and, all serious, she turned to her uncle. “Yes. I know, but sometimes I forget when I get full up with happiness. It’s so big, I have to let it out.” She scrunched up her face “Sorry, Daddy.”
“I’m not complaining, sweets. I’ll take your hugs all day long.”
“Come inside and I can give you one too.”
Both men turned as Millie Sue appeared on the porch. She was dressed simply in jeans and a T-shirt, with the biggest, fuzziest pink slippers Cal had ever seen. Her hair was loose, just the way he liked, and fell in soft waves around her shoulders.
“Come on, Nora, let Cal help your father up the stairs.”
The little girl bounded up the steps and disappeared. The sound of Millie’s voice was all it took to stoke the fire in his gut, and Cal swallowed thickly, unable to take his eyes off her.
“I’ll see you both inside.” And then she was gone.
Benton looked to Cal, who cleared his throat. “I asked Millie Sue to pick up Nora from school.”
“Clearly, we’ve got lots to talk about.” Bent winced a bit as he tried to keep his weight off his broken leg. “And Ry?”
Cal slid his arm underneath his brother’s, and they slowly made their way to the front door. “He went to the Founder’s Cabin.” They were on the stoop. “He’s bringing Manley for dinner tomorrow.”
Benton grunted and shifted his weight a bit. “How do you feel about that?”
Cal wasn’t the type to bullshit or lie. “I’m not sure. I’ve been holding on to a lot of shit for years now, most of it bad, but seeing him the other day was a surprise. He wasn’t what I expected.”
“He gave up the booze. He’s trying, and that’s something, isn’t it?”
“I guess.”
He got Benton through the front door and relaxed. Cal owned three houses, one in Nashville, an apartment in New York City, and the ranch out in California. All of them were expertly decorated by an interior designer who charged more per hour than some folks made in a week. They were big expensive things, equipped with the latest technology, appliances, and furniture so fancy, he didn’t use any of it. None of them had ever made him feel like this.
