Cowboy's Law

by B. A. Tortuga

  “We’re going to grab groceries as soon as y’all have the prescriptions you need so we can pick them up at the same time. You know what you need me to grab, Law?” Win was a damn fine man. Damn fine. Seth said Win and Horse had been there for the kids, for Pistol, for him.

  “Yeah, we need to pick up the cakes, and they want fettuccine alfredo so I need pasta, cream, parmesan, and a couple bags of salad, at the very least. We’ll need some apple juice for Seth too.”

  Win had a pen out, scribbling away. “I’ll get milk and bacon and potatoes and tortillas—basic important shit.”

  “Eggs, cheese. Yeah. Seth will need some canned soup too.”

  “Vegetable beef, right buddy?”

  When Seth didn’t answer Win, Law looked over, finding his lover sound asleep.

  Law shook his head. Then nodded. “Veggie beef. We’ll get some chicken noodle too. The twins will want to have soup with him.”

  “No problem. Coffee, tea, Cokes?”

  “Yes, please. I have no idea what the guys have done at the house, so call them?” He appreciated Win and Horse so much. “I can’t thank y’all enough.”

  “You’re more than welcome. We’re tickled about y’all letting us stay for the holidays.”

  “We’ll need the help, and Seth assures me you’re bored.”

  “We’ve been living out of an RV for two years. I think we need kids and dogs,” Horse said.

  “And horses and cattle and fun.” Win grinned at him, winked. “You’re going to get tired of cowboys.”

  “Nope. I’m the only one in my family who resisted at all.” Law chuckled. He’d still ended up on a ranch.

  “Excellent. We tend to like to group together and grunt a lot.”

  “Over coffee. I know the breed. Thankfully, soldiers are similar.” Speaking of, he needed to call Hunter and let him know they were going home. His buddy was good about wanting all the news.

  “Well then, we ought to be golden, huh?”

  “We should.”

  “Hey! You guys ready to get sprung?” The nurse, Gail, came in with a big folder of paperwork.

  Seth’s eyes popped open. “Hell yes. Let’s go.”

  “Hold on, tiger. We have some papers to go over.” Gail grinned. “Man, I’m gonna miss you guys.”

  “You’re welcome at the ranch, anytime.” Seth turned that million-dollar grin on her.

  “Oh ho! You watch it, mister. I’ll show up.”

  “I’d love it. So would the kids.” Seth winked at her. “Especially Wiley.”

  “He’s a dollbaby. Okay, so here’s your prescriptions. We’ve been in touch with your home health provider, but you’ll be getting calls about follow-ups. Answer them.”

  “Yes, Nurse Ratchet,” Seth teased.

  “You hush.” She cackled, though. “Okay, so here are the meds we could fill, and this is your discharge instructions. Just sign here that we’ve gone over them.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Seth signed everywhere she told him to, and Win and Horse took the prescriptions and the biggest load of their shit.

  “All we have to do is get you a chair.”

  “I’ll take him down,” Law said. Seth would walk out, they didn’t get a move on.

  “That’s fine, if he’ll sit while you get the car. That hill is a bitch.”

  “He will.” Law had actually moved to valet once he’d known Seth was going home. That way he could hold Seth down.

  “Good deal. Let’s get you a chair. Don’t be back, Seth, okay?”

  “No, ma’am. This was enough for me.” Seth sat up, reaching for him. “Take me home, Law. I’m ready.”

  “Me too.” God, so ready. The chair took forever, but soon enough they were in the truck and headed to Moriarty. Win and Horse were stopping there to get the prescriptions and cake so he could take his lover home.

  “You want anything?”

  “I need to take a pill, honey. Can we get a limeade and maybe a corny dog at the Sonic?”

  Law nodded, pondering where the nearest one was. “You got it.”

  “Thanks.” Seth was sweating and shaking, breathing hard. Poor baby.

  “Sit back and close your eyes, baby. I’ll stop here in a minute.”

  “Sorry. I’m just… It’s harder than it ought to be.”

  “Yeah. Sitting in the hospital starts to feel like you’re well. Then you get up and move.” Law got it. He’d still felt that way when he got to Seth’s ranch.

  “Yeah. I want to get home and rested before our babies get out of school. I miss… everything.”

  “I know.” He reached over to touch one thigh. “I’m glad you’re gonna make the birthday girls’ do.” There was going to be a good many people there.

  “Yes. I wasn’t going to miss it for anything.”

  He had no doubt that Seth would have walked home to be there for the girls. Instead, he’d blown his best breathing levels after his treatment late yesterday, and the doc couldn’t find a reason to keep him.

  Now they worked on keeping Seth from overdoing and let him blow up a shit-ton of balloons.

  He would have Win and Horse on his side, and he would get the kids in on it. They were nothing if not amazing coconspirators. He was waiting for some massive meltdowns, as soon as they knew Seth was home and it was safe to. They’d been unnaturally decent.

  Of course, Frank and Ollie had been utterly fascinating to the kids.

  Dawnie was over the moon, having more cowboys to learn from, guys to ride with. Wiley’s girlfriend was at the house a lot, and Bethany had started cooking a bunch—nothing fancy, but solid.

  He was super proud of them all. Ah, there was a Sonic. He pulled in, which made Seth jolt a bit. “Corny dog or breakfast burrito, baby?”

  “Corny dog, please. Big limeade. You need my wallet?”

  “I got it.” He had the app on his phone now. He ordered, then entered the stall number. He was starving, so he got a huge breakfast toaster and tots with his Dr Pepper.

  Then they were on their way home, Seth taking his pain pill with his food.

  “You holding in there, baby?”

  “Yeah. I’m good. Don’t worry.”

  “Sleep if you need to.” He wanted Seth rested. This would take a lot out of him for a few days.

  “Feels like all I do is sleep.”

  Yeah, Law got that. Seth wasn’t any more used to being hurt than he had been. “It’s a process. But sleep really helps heal.” How many times had his PT expert said that?

  “Then I should be the healthiest bastard alive.”

  “You would think so.” He winked over. “I was in a coma, baby. I win.”

  “Does a coma count as sleep? I mean, do you get rest during, do you think?”

  “I remember I had a lot of bad dreams. Now, whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.”

  “God. I wish I had been there with you. I don’t know how I could have helped.”

  “I don’t either.” He gave Seth a little smile. “You were there for Pistol when I couldn’t be. I’ll always be grateful.”

  “He was my best friend. I dreamed he came to see me in the hospital.”

  “Yeah?” He glanced sideways at Seth. “What did he say?”

  Seth smiled, blinking nice and slow now. “He said that he loved us, that he was glad you came home.”

  Law’s eyes burned a little. “Well, that sounds good. Real good.”

  “I thought so. He loved you a lot, and he was proud of you.”

  “Was he?” He swallowed hard. “I thought he was amazing. I miss him.”

  “He was a dork, but he loved the kids to death. He was a good bull rider and one hell of a friend.”

  “He was.” Okay, he was going to melt right down if they didn’t change the subject.

  “I love you. I’m coming home.”

  “I love you too, baby. So much.” That was the best truth right now. He was ready for his stubborn cowboy to be at the house.

  Seth dozed off again, not wa
king until Law pulled into the drive. The older kids should all be at school, but he’d texted Bonner not to let Jordan jump on Seth, because the twins weren’t going in today. There was no way he was making the twins’ teacher deal with them in both birthday and “Uncle’s coming home” mode.

  “Hey, baby. Come on. We’re home.” Fuzzy came out, barking like a fiend. Domino just wagged around, looking sad.

  “Hey, guys,” Seth said as he opened the car door, and Domino lifted his head at his dad’s voice, the wild barking filling the air. “Hey, old buddy.” Seth sat and let the dogs come to him, not moving until they stopped jumping. “Good boys.”

  They both danced and cried, telling him how much they’d missed him. The sound was cut off by Jordan’s scream.

  “Uncle!”

  Seth looked up and opened his arms. “My Jordan!”

  Law half caught Jordan when she leaped, easing her up to Seth for a hug.

  “Uncle. Are you gonna die?”

  “No. I’m home to stay. I am going to raise you to be a grown-up. Me and Law.” Seth didn’t even hesitate.

  “Oh, thank God. Andy Lawton said you were gonna die like Pistol, and I hit him on the nose.” Jordan sniffed.

  “No hitting, my girl. Not unless someone hits you first.” Seth gathered her in close. “I’ve missed y’all so bad. I need to see all you’ve done while I was gone.”

  “I made lots of crafts. I had to go to Girl Scouts and stuff too. We all went places together.”

  “Y’all have been so good. Law’s told me.” Seth looked up at him, sweating now, looking green.

  Time to get his lover in and sitting.

  “Hey, kiddo.” Law lifted her down. “Let’s get Uncle Seth inside and on the couch. You know how it is when you have the flu? He needs rest and juice.”

  Keira came trotting out, tears in her eyes. “Yes. Inside. It’s cold and he needs a blankie.”

  “He does.” He winked at Seth. “Y’all go get a clean one? I’ll bring him in.”

  “Yes, sir!” The girls ran off, and Law encouraged Seth to move.

  “I’ve got you, baby. I’ll get you an anti-nausea pill in two shakes.”

  “Thanks. The pain pill is just—whoa.”

  “Yeah.” He waved away the dogs, then got Seth headed inside.

  Frank came bursting out of the casita behind them, running to help. “Sorry. Sorry. I was fixin’ to have lunch.”

  “You’re okay.” Although he had to wonder who had been watching the girls right now…

  “Hey, boss.” Bonner came out of the house, limping a little. “Great to see you home. Jordan asked if she could come out without me. I got stepped on pretty good.”

  “Those bison?” Law was selling the motherfucking things. They were a nuisance.

  “Yeah.” Bonner made a face. “Nothing but sore. I’ll live.”

  “I’ll talk to you after I get him settled. I want those things gone.”

  Bonner looked at Seth, then shrugged. “Talk to Win and Horse first? They have ideas.”

  “Okay.” But he was sure about it. He hated those goddamn things. He wanted them gone.

  Seth chuckled. “They’re just animals.” The wheezing was kind of canceling out the there-there tone of Seth’s voice.

  “Uh-huh. Tell me again after you climb the porch steps.”

  “Shut up.” Seth managed it, but he was wrung out and done by the time they lowered him onto the couch.

  Soon they had an anti-nausea pill in Seth, a blanket on him, his limeade at his side. Jordan climbed up next to him, and the sweetheart didn’t even jabber. She just held Seth’s hand and hummed some little lullaby-type song while Keira sat and watched him like a hawk.

  Seth might have teared up, but if he did, Law sure as hell wasn’t going to notice it.

  Pretty soon Jordan came to him, tugging his shirt. “Uncle is sleeping with Sister, huh? It’s okay?”

  “It’s good. He’s been in a hospital bed awhile. Sitting up in the truck was hard.” He hoisted Jordan up, noting how she was getting so big. Well, for a mini bull rider type person. “Thank you for helping. I missed you.”

  “I missed you and missed you and missed you.” Jordan hugged him tight, the little body trembling with the ferocity of the embrace. “Y’all came home.”

  “We did, baby girl. I promised, huh?” Over and over, to all the kids. They had a little PTSD just like he did.

  “You did. Love you. You promised.” Jordan relaxed and settled. “Tomorrow is our party.”

  “It is. Uncle’s friends Win and Horse are coming. They’re bringing cake.” Jordan liked people, thank God.

  “Horse and Wind! I like them. They’re at the other house sometimes.”

  “Are they?” Wind. He would have to tease Win. “Well, that’s cool. That’s the best thing, right? All the friends we get to see?” Maybe he’d ask Hunter if he wanted to come for the holidays too. To help.

  That would be entertaining, and he hadn’t seen his old friend in too long.

  “Uh-huh. I like them. Horse is so big, and he gives shoulder rides.”

  “Does he?”

  “Uh-huh. He played football and got hurt real bad and come to be with Wind.”

  “Wow.” So Horse knew what it was like to have a catastrophic injury too. That would probably help.

  “Yep. He’s neat. Wind was a bullfighter. I’ve known him my whole life.”

  “I bet.” Sometimes he realized how out of the loop he still was. “Are you hungry? Do you need a snack?”

  “I had doggie dogs at lunch. Can we make cookies later together?”

  “We can. We’ll make peanut butter ones.”

  “Okay. I like that. I want to sit with Uncle and Sister and watch cartoons now, please.”

  “You bet. Let me get you setup.” He carried Jordan back to Seth, then got the TV going. Time to go get the full report from Bonner and Frank.

  Keira was cuddled in to Seth, and Jordan joined in, the cowboy’s arm around the little girls already. Good deal.

  He left Seth’s cell by him, then headed to the kitchen, where Bonner sat, looking kinda pale. “Hey. You take something?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine. Just sore.”

  Uh-huh. Right. He got in the cupboard and got Bonner some Tylenol. “You hungry?”

  Bonner gave him a desperate look. “I’m so sick of hot dogs I could die.”

  “I’ll make a chicken-broccoli casserole for supper.”

  Bonner groaned. “You promise?”

  “I do.” He checked the fridge, then the freezer. He had all the stuff. No need to call Win and Horse. “So, tell me about the buffalo.”

  “Win and Horse want to talk to y’all about renting or buying Pistol’s ranch, buying the bison from you. They’re fascinated by those beasts, and they like the idea of being close, having a family here.”

  “Huh.” That was a great idea, actually. Seth would have to talk to Dawn and Wiley, especially. They were almost old enough to want that ranch.

  “Yeah. Seth’s working it, but a house needs a person in it now that the renters left, and hell, it ain’t none of mine. It’s Seth’s to do with.”

  “Yeah.” Yeah. Pistol would like to know someone was there, using it. “I’ll let them talk to me and Seth, see what they’re offering.”

  “There you go.” Bonner gave him a tired grin. “I need a nap.”

  “Do you want to just crash here? That way you don’t have to come back for supper.”

  “Do you mind, man?”

  “Nope. Not a bit. Run me down on what y’all got done so far today, and Win and Horse and I will take over.”

  Bonner gave him a grateful look. “Morning feeding, the damn shots are finished for those buffalo, and all the horses have had hoof checks.”

  “Good deal.” He clapped Bonner on the shoulder. “Go sleep.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I will. Thanks.” Bonner stood up and limped to the front room.

  Damn. He shook his head. He would need to talk to
Frank, too, and figure out how dangerous the bison really were, but if Win and Horse wanted them, he’d sell them. He needed them gone.

  Maybe it wasn’t reasonable, but they had plenty going for them. They didn’t need beefalo.

  He hated those fucking beasts. They’d almost cost him his lover. They had to go.

  Frank came in, holding a pair of burritos in foil. “Hey! I made something not hot dogs. Is Bonner gone?”

  “He’s crashing out. I bet he’ll take it for a snack when he wakes up.” Law peeked into the front room. All of the occupants were asleep. “Bison.”

  Frank scowled. “Get rid of them. That big bull is fucking vicious.”

  “Too dangerous for Win and Horse?”

  Pursing his lips, Frank shook his head. “They’ll hire an experienced hand.”

  “Should Seth do that?”

  “Fuck no.” Frank shook his head. “You got twelve more years of little ones. Can you imagine if Keira or Jordan got in there?”

  He shuddered. No, no he couldn’t imagine.

  “Okay. Then if Win and Horse can’t take them, we sell them.” He had a firm decision. He could convince Seth to see it his way. Seth might be stubborn. They would just have to see.

  “Works for me and Bonner. We’re not fond of those bastards.”

  “So I hear. You gonna hang out for the holidays too?” That would be fine with him, but he was gonna need a headcount.

  “If you don’t mind? I figure Bonner can use the help, and he’s letting me use his spare room.”

  “Ollie?”

  “He’s heading back to Texas next week.” Frank grinned. “I’m enjoying playing working cowboy.”

  “Good deal.” He needed to call Hunter. Later. He had time.

  Right now, he was waiting for the rest of Seth’s pills, a call from the nurse, and the kids. Might as well make that casserole. That and the alfredo he’d promised. Christ.

  He needed to get on that.

  He blinked, slower and slower.

  “Dude. Go sit and rest. Just for a few minutes.”

  “Yeah. Thanks, Frank. I need to close my eyes.”

  “Ollie and I had lunch. We’re on it.”

  He nodded and relaxed, limping into the front room. He took what had become his recliner, stretching out and relaxing, asleep before he got the footrest all the way up.