Page 89 of The Cowboy's Bullfighter
“None taken.” She looked up from her phone. “When I do take offense, you’ll know, and trust me, you’re going to get an earful about leaving him for so long with those kids.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Momma, be nice.” Coop sounded like he’d deep-throated a corn cob. “Brooks didn’t know he was gonna be gone so long.”
“And I didn’t know that you were going to get up close and personal with horses. You gonna be okay?” Brooks asked.
“It’s going to be fine. Just tired. I actually feel better. I ain’t got a spleen no more though. Don’t know what I needed it for.”
“Well, obviously if they took it out you didn’t need it too bad,” Coop’s momma snapped. “I’m going to go get a cup of coffee with your daddy. I’ll be back.” She gave Brooks the stink eye and walked out.
Oh. He was in trouble, he could tell.
“Yeah, she’s pissed. Sucks to be you.” Coop shifted in the sheets and groaned a little bit. “You’re home.”
“I’m home.”
“Good. Kids need you there. Me too.”
Right now, Coop needed him more. The kids were fine. They had Ryder, they had Wat, they had Benji.
“Benji’s at home with them for a couple of days before he flies back out.”
“Oh, good.” He sat in the chair and grabbed Coop’s hand, the one without all the IV stuff. “God, babe. I’m so?—”
“Nope. You didn’t do this. Now, you leave me and go gallivanting off to Australia again? Then we’ll have words.”
“No way. If I go back, you and the kids will come with me.”
“You get your straws?”
“They’re coming by courier next week. You’ll like him. He’ll stay and help out, I bet. Just to see what he can see.”
“Help is good as long as he’s not after your ass.”
“God no.” That made him laugh. “No. My ass is yours.”
“Mmmm. And me too laid up to do dick-all about it.” Coop grimaced. “Don’t make me laugh, honey.”
“I’ll try not to.” But he was relieved that Coop did feel like laughing.
“I got to sleep a little, honey. Stay with me?”
“I will. As soon as I go pee and get a cup of coffee and maybe a doughnut. Your dad is outside. I’ll spell him in ten, okay?”
“Okay…” Coop trailed off, slipping into sleep between one breath and another.
He waited, then slid his hand free, heading out. “Mr. Adams? Can I get you to sit with Coop while I hit the head and grab a bite to bring back up?”
“Of course. Is he asleep?”
“He is.”
“I knew he would once you came. He can relax now.”
“Thanks.” He had no idea what he was thanking the man for, except that he was there for Coop and Coop needed all the help he could get.
He passed Coop’s mom coming back with a cup of coffee. “Leaving so soon?”
