Page 96 of The Cowboy's Bullfighter

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“Lucy brought me a bowl of ice cream while you were in the barn.”

“Okay.” He reached over to touch Coop’s cheek. “I’m so sorry about all this.”

“Oh, honey. I just need some rest. I’m on the mend now.” Coop sighed, leaning back on the pillows, his eyes already super heavy. “You okay with the kids or my folks? I’m sorry.”

“I’m good. No worries.” He was, too. He’d get Johnny and Mina up here in a bit to have supper, since it was late, and the others could entertain themselves. Hell, Ricky and Bella still weren’t home.

His phone buzzed, and he looked at the text, which was from Benji.

you home yet?

Yep. Making supper

Take care of Coop

will do

When he looked up from the texts, Coop was asleep, so he took a picture of the babies, curled against him.

Poor Coop. Jesus, the man looked tough, and it tore at him. Brooks felt like shit for staying gone so damn long.

He fed the kids, did their reading, they all played Uno, with Amanda being on a team with Mina.

He said hey to Ricky and Bella, hugging them both, one after the other.

Bella offered him a worried smile, but Ricky heldhis gaze.

“How’s Uncle Coop?”

“Okay. How are you two?”

“Working hard, saving money. I’m going to marry her once she’s seventeen, before the baby comes. I love her.”

“And I love him. He’s my person.”

There wasn’t anything else to say, so he waved at them as they went off, both of them looking exhausted.

Then he bathed and tucked in the little ones.

It was another damn hour after that before he’d showered, and then he realized he’d forgotten the kids’ gifts.

“Tomorrow.” He slipped into bed with Coop.

“What’s tomorrow, honey?” Coop murmured.

“The presents. How you feeling?”

“Like I had my guts surged on.” Coop chuckled a little. “But not hurtin’ so bad.”

“Good. Holler when you need to pee.”

“Oh, you’ll be asleep.”

“I can hack it.” He grinned at the ceiling. “I have time to make up for.”

“You sure do, cowboy,” Coop murmured. “Soon as I feel better. I missed the hell out of you.”

“I hear you. I’m glad as hell to be back where I belong.”

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