Page 87 of Final Ride

“Hope so.” I poured myself a coffee and sat down.

“Virgil still sleeping?”

“No, I’m not.” He staggered into the kitchen and headed for the coffee maker. “I didn’t want to miss my ride to the hospital.”

“You didn’t miss it, sugar,” said Annie. “We’ll pack up and go to IHOP for breakfast on the way. We can’t see Travis or talk to his doctor until ten o’clock.”

“Ten o’clock? Shit.”

Annie pointed at a chair. “Sit, Virgil. It will work out. Travis is going to be okay. I’ve seen him in a lot worse shape than he was yesterday.”

Virge raised a black eyebrow and stared at Annie. “When was that?”

“Long while ago.” She shrugged it off and wouldn’t tell him.

Saint Rose Hospital. Henderson. Nevada.

At ten, Doctor Canton appeared in the waiting area and sat down to have his little chat. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Major Bristol and I had a little discussion, and he seems to think he’ll have no problem flying home if I release him.”

“We can take care of him, Doctor,” I said. “All we have to do is get him to Mom’s jet and he’ll be able to lie down. Texas is only two hours away.”

“Mom’s jet?” the doctor found that funny, but he didn’t offer any further comments. “All right then, I’ll inform the head nurse, and they’ll get the major ready to leave.”

“Thank you so much,” said Annie. “I know Travis is anxious to get home.”

“Why is the doc calling Dadmajor, Annie?” asked Virgil in a whisper.

“The doctor may have served and Travis is probably using his own military status to get his own way. I wouldn’t doubt it. He can be devious when he wants something.”

“Huh,” said Virgil.

The nurse rolled the wheelchair to the elevator and across the lobby to the front door of the hospital. Mick waited with the motor running in the pickup loop, and he helped us get Travis into the back seat.

“You okay, Dad?” asked Virge.

“All good, son.”

“I’ll sit in the back with him, Harlan,” said Annie. “You ride up front with Mick. Virge can squeeze in with me.”

Harry Reid International Airport. Las Vegas.

Getting Travis into the plane was the most difficult part. The steps were killer for him, and he had to stop on every step to catch his breath.

Once he was in the plane and comfortable lying on the bed at the back of the cabin, he was good to go.

Virge and I sat back there and watched over him for the flight home. A couple of hours and we were back in Texas.

During the trip, Dad didn’t talk much. He asked about Max and Sarge and Corb and that was it. The rest of the time he slept.

Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange. Texas.

All the kids ran out to meet us when we got home to Annie’s ranch. Me and Virge helped Dad into the house and Annie put him to bed in the guest room.

“He can rest while we get things sorted out at your ranch, then I’ll bring him over later and put him straight into bed. He needs sleep in order to heal.”

Once Travis was settled at Annie’s, me and Virge collected Corb and our dogs and headed for our ranch.

“I’m coming to help y’all,” hollered Lucy at the last minute. She ran and jumped in the Jeep.

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