Page 67 of Halfway to Hell
“She and August are doing great.”
“Aww, I love the name.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Before Texas could say more, he heard his mom bustling around the kitchen, directing the ladies like a general.
“Mom, I’ll call tomorrow,” he tried to say.
“No, wait. Tell me why you called.”
“Sunday just woke up, and she’s hungry.”
“Say no more. We’ll see you soon.”
Texas tried to stop her, but the line went dead. “I think we’re about to have company,” he told Sunday.
She smiled and shrugged, cooing softly to the baby.
Epilogue
The nurses had donetheir best to keep everyone out of the room, but no one could resist the brothers—completely captivated, hearts melting like sweet, gooey honey. Truck and Teller had taken the lead on the tour, showing off their charm and drawing everyone in.
Then Eros burst through the door, carrying a three-foot-tall, overstuffed teddy bear and a bouquet of wildflowers that looked like they’d been through a hurricane. The room erupted in laughter.
When someone asked how on earth he’d managed to get the bear all the way up there, the laughter only grew louder. Texas’s dad launched into a wild story about how they’d strapped the bear onto the Indians’ backs. All Texas could do was shake his head and laugh quietly to himself, picturing the bear hanging on for dear life. The whole thing sounded utterly crazy.
Kennedy entered next, fully covered from head to toe in a hospital gown, hat, and mask, determined to be the first to hold August. When she was handed the baby, she couldn’t resist teasing his mom with a playful grin.
“I have a question,” Texas interrupted the jokes and storytelling.
“What’s that, son?” his dad asked.
“It’s for my little friends,” Texas said.
“Oh.”
“What brought all of you up here? And how did you end up at my parents’ house?” he asked the group of bikers.
He spotted Eros and Cree moving toward the door and stopped them just before their hands reached the handle. “Don’t even think about getting out of here,” he said firmly.
Both men raised their hands in surrender. “Kennedy and I were already on our way with Eros to come visit. When we got here, your parents told us what happened,” Cree explained.
“And what about all of you?” Texas asked the other brothers.
“Eros told us we should ride up to the cider mill sometime. We just figured today was a good day for the ride,” Teller piped up, trying to take the heat off the two nomads.
Texas wasn’t buying it. “Try again.”
Teller shrugged, eyes flicking toward Cree and Eros. “Okay, fine. Cree called to tell us what happened to your woman. We were already on the road, so we came straight here and met them at your parents’ house. By the time we got there, your folks were home. Honestly, it’s your dad’s fault. He and your brothers sure know how to entertain.”
That part Texas could believe. That was exactly their style. “Well, thank you all for coming.”
“Don’t worry,” Teller said. “We already called the other brothers to let them know you had a baby. Pierre thinks we should all come up for a weekend once Sunday’s out of the hospital.”
“Let’s make it a few months from now, when she won’t be stuck in bed. We also need some time to adjust to having the little man,” Texas said.
“You let us know when and where. We’ll be there, brother,” Teller promised.
After about an hour, Texas noticed Sunday growing drowsy. He gently ushered everyone out of the room. They could all come back tomorrow if they wanted, but tonight visiting time was over.
