Page 121 of Rainbow Rodeo

“You got Miss Deb?”

“I do. Don’t you worry.”

“Oh, thank God. We thought her folks were bringing her.”

“She wanted to stop at the store and get some stuff, so we left early. Don’t you worry. We’ll be there after a bit. Y’all focus on Dalton.”

“Thanks, buddy.” He hung up, relief making him weak. “She’s with Buick in my truck.”

“Good deal. You don’t think he’s sticking around, do you?” Linda pinned Tank with a glare. “My babies are there.”

“No. No, Chip found his chaps in the bathroom. I think he’s a damn coward.”

“Dustin?”

“He wanted Dalton to pay. He doesn’t care about the rest of us.”

“Okay. They have to text me every twenty minutes.” Linda was amazing.

A surgeon came out, all robed up. “Jakoby?”

They all stood as one.

“He’s going to be fine. Lung is reinflated. He’s healthy as a horse. He’ll need to take it easy for a few months, but he’s going to be just fine. I took photos of the wound for the sheriff’s department.”

“Oh, thank you, sir.” Denver bounded over to clap the doc on the shoulder.

“When can we see him?” Linda asked. “I need to see my baby. Now.”

“He’s in recovery, but… come on, ma’am. Let’s get you in.”

“Thank you.” She was a force of nature. “Dustin, you’ll be next, I promise, baby.”

“Tank next.”

He looked at Dustin, wide-eyed, and Dustin shrugged. “I know he’s okay. I can wait. We share the same blood.”

Tank enveloped Dustin in a hard hug. “You’re a good egg, man.”

“I’m going to be a problem for you for years. You might as well owe me one.”

“You’re right.” He wanted to melt now he knew Dalton would be okay, just dribble down on the couch and breathe.

Linda left with the doctor, and Denver started texting.

Deb showed up maybe two minutes later, hands full of bags. “Buick is parking. Tell me what’s happening.”

“He’s going to be fine. Sore. Off the circuit for a while, but fine.”

“Blowing up balloons, huh?” They all knew guys that had punctured a lung.

“Yes, ma’am. Doc says he’s like an ox.”

“Okay.” She looked at Denver. “You okay, Pops?”

“Fine.”

“I’m not.” Tank winked at her, and she laughed out loud, her relief a palpable thing.

---