Page 42 of Kent's Honor
“He is,” Arthur said as he strolled over. “Rex is tending to him now. I’m afraid it isn’t looking too good. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
“Oh no.” Elle wrapped her arms around Kent’s waist.
Kent nodded toward the paramedics as they entered the house with a stretcher. A second team strolled in his direction.
“While I think Elle needs to be examined, I’m not sure another ride in an ambulance is warranted.” Dixie patted his chest.
“I’ll let the experts make that decision.” He kissed her temple.
“I supposed that’s reasonable,” Dixie said.
“Oh my God.” Elle rolled her eyes. “Am I going to be ganged up on by both of you now that you’re an official item?”
“Consider this a nice compromise.” Dixie looped her arm around Elle. “He’s not making you get in the ambulance and race off to the hospital. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“I can’t believe he’s rubbing off on you. Next thing I know, you’ll go back on your word and not take me to get a bra.” Elle stomped off toward Kent’s truck.
Arthur laughed. “This is my cue to go see if Rex needs anything.”
Kent shifted his gaze. “You told her you’d take her shopping for bras?”
“She’s getting little boobies.”
“She is not.” Kent stuffed his finger in his ear and wiggled. “I seriously can’t believe you just said that. She’s ten.”
“She’ll be eleven in a couple of months. Before you know it, she’ll be getting her first period.”
Kent reached around and covered Dixie’s mouth. “I don’t ever want to hear you utter those words again.”
“Not saying them won’t stop it from happening and you’d have to be blind not to see the way she’s growing into a beautiful young woman.”
Kent groaned. “I can’t wait to start teaching Nicky how to pick up chicks.”
Dixie laughed. “He’s going to have to go to Rex or one of the other guys on how to accomplish that.” She leaned into Kent’s body, resting her hand on the center of his chest. “You, my friend, have no game. At all.”
“Oh, I sure do. I’ll show you tonight, after the kids go to bed.”
“Don’t go making promises you can’t keep.”
He heaved her to his chest, lifting her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m thinking we let Nicky and Elle have a nice little sleepover. Watch a movie while you and I do some door locking.” He wrinkled his forehead.
“It hurt you just to even think about letting me spend the night.”
He kissed her nose. “No. Not at all. The only thing that weirded me out was how normal it felt.”
11
“Let me go in first.” Kent kissed his daughter’s forehead.
“He’s never going to change,” Elle muttered.
“That’s not true.” Dixie took Elle by the forearm and guided her back to where Nicky sat on the floor with blocks. “Besides, he’s not going in there because he’s worried that man is going to hurt you or me. He’s doing it because it’s an honor thing.”
Thank you, Kent mouthed as he turned and headed down the corridor and into Simon Grant’s room. It had been three weeks since the shooting and the man was lucky to be alive. Even luckier that he would walk again.
Kent tapped his fingers against the door. “Simon? It’s Kent Carter. May I come in?”
“Yes. Please. I was hoping I’d hear from you.” Simon adjusted the blanket over his waist and did his best to sit up taller. “How is that precious daughter of yours? And your girlfriend and her son?”
