Page 70 of The Cowboy's Bullfighter
Coop nodded. “That’s right. Your brother has to get backto work, and I’m going to hold down the fort with your Uncle Brooks.”
“I don’t want you to go, though. I want to go with you!”
Lucy shook her head. “You can’t, Johnny. You have school and robotics, and you wanted piano lessons. It’s boring sitting in a trailer.”
Johnny nodded, but the little boy’s eyes filled with tears. “I know. But you’ll miss my birthday…”
Benji held his arms open. “I’m sorry, kiddo, but I have to do this.”
Benji shot him a wide-eyed SOS, and Coop caught the line. “Why don’t we have your party early, before Benji leaves, and then you can have everyone you want here since it’s Christmas break?”
“Yeah?” Johnny sniffed. “Do you think they’ll come?”
“I bet. And that way I can be here!” Benji looked choked up, but was trying to smile.
“Okay. Okay, I can do that, but have a cake on my real birthday day?”
Coop nodded, and Brooks cleared his throat. “Uncle Coop and I can even hold your birthday presents for your real birthday day, so that way you have some.”
“I’ll make you another present for your birthday too,” Lucy said. “I promise.”
“Okay. I love you, Benji.”
“I love you too, Johnny. I’m sorry I’ll be gone.” Benji shrugged at him. “But I got to work, you know? I have to get back on the horse.”
“You work with the bulls, Benji.” Johnny pointed out.
Benji opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. “Okay. Okay, you’re right. I have to get back on the dirt. How’s that?”
“Better. You’ll call every day?”
“I promise. Every day.” Benji kissed the top of Johnny’shead. “You knew this was going to happen, huh? We’ve talked about it. Uncle Coop is going to be your guardian, Uncle Brooks is here for you guys, and we’re all family.”
Coop rocked Mina, so proud of Benji he could hardly stand it. It was hard to see him head back off to work, because he worried about the kid, but it had to happen, and he was glad it was bullfighting.
Brooks grinned. “I am so here. Heck, I just got new horses.”
“They’re so pretty, Uncle Brooks.” Lucy was deep in the horse love. “When will you ride them? Soon?”
“It’s cold out there, and they need some time, but soon. They’ll need riding.”
“Yay!” Lucy grinned, bouncing. “I’m so glad you came and that you make Uncle Coop happy, Uncle Brooks.”
Brooks met his gaze over Mina’s head. “I sure hope that’s true, Lucy.”
“It is,” Mason said. “He smiles way more now.”
“Well, that I’m definitely glad for.”
Coop felt heat rise in his cheeks, because well, Brooks had that look about him. That one, the one that said they hoped the kids went to bed early.
Whew. He sure didn’t need his chair warmer on right now. Thank goodness for Mina and her baby keeping him honest and not getting too hot and bothered.
“Okay, I’m gonna go start supper,” Brooks said with a wink.
“Roast beast!” Lucy crowed. “Can I come?”
“You can. I can use your help making the batter for Yorkshire puddings.”
