Page 120 of Rainbow Rodeo

“Yessir. That’s what we do.”

He stood, stretching up tall toward the ceiling. “How long you think this will take?”

“The surgery? I got nothing. I ain’t never been stabbed.”

“Me either. My knee took hours.” Damn. He wasn’t a good waiter. “They need a gym.”

“Yeah. There’s cards in my go bag. That’ll help.”

“Good deal.” He was going to lose his shit. He could feel it.

“He’ll wake up. I know he will.”

“I know. I’m just sucky at waiting.” He rolled his shoulders, then his neck.

“Uh-huh. I should have brought my laptop.”

“Yeah, well, you forgot. You were busy.”

“A little bit, yeah.”

Dalton had been pretty involved in bleeding to death. But he was gonna be okay. Tank turned too sharply and damn near lost his bad knee out from under him.

“Careful!” Dustin moved fast as lightning, grabbed him up.

“Thanks. Sorry. Sorry, the damn thing has been sore as a boil, and I think I wrenched it jumping down in the arena.”

“Dalton can rub it for you when he wakes up.”

“That’s it.” He called up the feeling of Dalton’s hands and the hot towels and smiled a little.

“He loves you, you know? I mean, he really loves you.”

“I know. I’m starting to figure that out.” And he wasn’t ready to lose this now. Not one bit.

“Good. I knew you were a smart man, for all you get banged around.”

“I am.” He nodded and chuckled. The door to the waiting area opened, and he saw Denver and Linda walk in.

“How is he?” Denver asked.

“Where the fuck is the sheriff’s department?” That was momma bear. “Have they caught the bastard yet?”

“We haven’t heard on either side.”

“Momma.” Dustin’s face crumpled, and he reached for his mom, who went right to him.

“Buck up. He’ll be fine. I know it.” She held on tight, her face hard as nails. “No tears. Where is Sister?”

“She’s not with you?”

“No.”

“Pops said you were picking her up.” Dustin looked at Tank, panicked.

He dialed Buick right away.

“’Lo?”

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