Page 20 of Gotta Dig Deep
“That he does. Never seen a man as gone on his woman as he is.” Duane tipped his head back, aiming a wide yawn at the ceiling. “Gotta say, I don’t hate it. It’s good to see.”
They both swung to their feet when the door opened abruptly. Horse took in the proud, relieved expression on Blackie’s face before turning his attention to the pink-wrapped bundle in his arms.
“Miranda … Randi wanted to say howdy before I have to run her down to the nursery.” Blackie’s eyes never lifted from where they were focused on the little girl’s face. “She’s good. Peaches is good. They’re both perfect.”
“Hey, Randi.” Horse knew his voice was gruff, filled with emotion. From the look on Blackie’s face, he wouldn’t be catching any ribbing for being soft in this moment. “Little precious girl. Look at you. I’m Uncle Horse.”
“Honorary Uncle Duane over here, sweetheart. You’re gorgeous, aren’t you.” Duane stood shoulder to shoulder with Horse. “She’s so teeny, Blackie. Everyone okay?”
“Yeah, they’re both absolutely perfect.” Blackie never looked up, eyes locked on the newborn. “Peaches did great. She’s a real trooper. Randi was a little stubborn but listened to her momma in the end.”
“Mr. Langdon, we need to get the little one down to the nursery.” A nurse appeared at Blackie’s elbow. “We’ve got the bassinette ready.”
“You said I could carry her.” Blackie didn’t turn. “I’m carrying her. It’s just down the hall. One of you boys come with me. One of you stay here.”
Horse glanced at Duane who pointed towards his own chair. They nodded in unison and Horse fell into step with Blackie as they moved along the wide corridor. Blackie’s steps were sure and certain, but Horse felt a need to steer him since the man simply wasn’t willing to look away from his daughter’s face. Made Horse grin to see how he’d fallen already.
“She’s got your number. Only minutes old and has you wrapped around her tiny, little finger.”
“Hell yeah.” Blackie’s easy acceptance came with a widening of his smile. “Turn the world on end for this girl.”
“Peaches did good?”
“My woman’s a fuckin’ rock. She took care of business, didn’t let anything get in her way. Doc’s doing his thing right now, then she’ll go to a regular room. By then, they should be done measuring Randi and we’ll all be together.”
“When that happens, I’ll head back to the clubhouse, finish putting the crib together and shit. Gonna be different, having a nursery there. But everyone will adapt.”
“Yeah, do the crib thing, but you should know that me and Peaches looked at a house over the weekend. East of town, just off Highway 80. It’s a good size place, got some land to it. Already decided that while the club is family, kids need to grow up with some dirt under their feet. Older rancher nearby might sell me another plot, would add enough to it for pretty much anything we want.” Blackie angled through a door a nurse held open and gently placed the infant on a wide table she indicated. He kept both hands on the baby, bracketing her tiny body. “Right now, though, I’m going to stay here with my eye on my girl. I appreciate you takin’ care of things at the clubhouse, Horse. Always looking out for your brothers. Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Whatever’s needed, you know how I feel, brother.” Horse backed through the door, into the hallway. “We’ll see you when you get home. I’m gonna go tell Peaches I’m proud of her.”
“You do that, brother.” Blackie’s muttered response came while he watched the nurse like a hawk. “I’m gonna stay riiiiight here.”
Congratulations delivered, Horse and Duane waited in the hallway until they saw Blackie striding along, carefully pushing a baby bed on wheels in front of him. When he caught sight of them his brow furrowed, and with his voice pitched low, he called, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, brother. Your woman was exhausted but trying to stay awake to talk, so we stepped out here to let her sleep if she could. Nothing’s wrong.”
“Jesus. I’ve been so wound up the whole time.” Blackie shook his head. “Not just today, but since she came back to me. Worried something would drop out of the sky and splat me like a coyote. This good shit? Not my normal kind of luck.”
“Looks like your luck’s changed.” Horse gripped Blackie’s shoulder and pulled him in to pound one fist against his back. “Lucky, lucky man. We’re going back to the clubhouse, which leaves you without a ride. Call one of us when you need, and we’ll come get you.” He stepped back. “Lucky, lucky man.”
Horse and Duane were quiet on the short drive back to the clubhouse. It was only as they were pulling into the back driveway that Horse roused himself enough to speak.
“Blackie’s buyin’ a place out east of town a bit, not Hallsville, but close. Said it’s got some acreage with it, give him and the family a chance to spread out.”
“Not a bad idea.” Duane parked the van, setting the brake. “Kids and clubhouses don’t work long term. Can you imagine the grousing if the baby’s still squalling for a two o’clock feeding a month down the road? Blackie’s a smart man to look into the future like that.”
“Yeah. I get it. I get it’s a good idea.” Horse laughed as he swung out of the van. “I just don’t like change much.”
Chapter Five
Glenna
Seated at the kitchen table, Glenna kept an ear open for anything coming from the front room. That’s where Reggie, a neighbor and frequent visitor, was waiting while the traveling home nurse evaluated Pendleton’s condition. Something Glenna didn’t need a degree to know was in a steep decline. Since the last health care visit a week ago, Penn had gone from eating at the table with her for meals to not being able to get himself out of bed to go to the washroom. She’d managed things so far, but only just.
“Glenna?” The man’s voice was pitched soft and low, which told Glenna that Penn was sleeping, something he seemed to do more and more. “I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”
Waving him into the room as she pushed away from the table, Glenna gave him her back as she busied herself at the coffeemaker, not bothering to keep her activities quiet. She knew from experience that it took more than a little rattling dishes and cabinet slamming to wake Penn these days. Lord knew she’d tried, feeling guilty about it the whole time but still hoping and praying for a few extra minutes with Penn.
