Page 99 of Boston
“What does that mean?”
“I think it means there’s going to be no less than five people crying at all times,” Bryce said, looking around. “Count with me….”
Tex chuckled as he started across the lawn with his brothers. They found Denzel resting against a tree in the shade, only about ten feet from the dirt parking area. He took one look at the four of them approaching, and growled.
“I don’t need you guys,”
“Of course you don’t,” Blaze said sarcastically. He glanced over to where Michelle waited patiently with their two kids, one hand on her very pregnant belly. Scout sat at attention in front of Denzel, and he barked once as Tex reached out to give the German shepherd a pat.
The four of them pressed in close to Denzel, and Tex would do anything for him too. He was Leigh’s brother, and just as much a part of them as she was.
No one spoke, and Tex knew they were all waiting for him to say something. “If you fall again and don’t tell us,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I don’t know what we’ll do, but it’ll be very bad for you.”
A beat of silence followed, and then Trace chuckled. Otis tipped his head back and full-out laughed, and Blaze elbowed Tex in the ribs. “You are a terrible mafia boss.”
“You do it then,” Tex said, grinning. “What am I going to threaten him with? I can’t do anything to him.”
Otis and Trace sobered, and Blaze stepped forward this time. “We’ll come get your wife and kids and take them home with one of us,” Blaze said, raising his eyebrows. “How about that? You can’t take care of yourself? You can’t take care of them.”
Denzel glared, pure heat flowing from him. He stared at Blaze, and then Tex. “He’s a much better mafia boss than me, he’s right.”
“They deserve better,” Blaze added. “Trust me; I’ve been where you are. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t do anything, and I had to allow them to help me. I know your sweet wife doesn’t mind helping you, but she shouldn’t have to shoulder any of this alone.” He nodded and glanced at Tex.
“So you’ll call us next time,” he said. “Or Leigh. She’ll let us know. And we’ll be there to help you both, because we already have enough people crying over at the red umbrella. We don’t need one of them to be your amazing wife.”
“Or you,” Trace added.
Denzel surveyed the four of them, and then all the fight and tension in his body drained away. A tear slithered down his face too, and he nodded a couple of times. “Okay. I just—it’s so embarrassing.”
“No, it’s not,” Otis said, shaking his head. “Crying in the park on the Fourth of July? I’ll give you that. Calling someone for help when you fall down and hurt yourself?” He shook his head again. “Not embarrassing. None of us are going to judge you.”
“This isn’t about you,” Michelle said, and Tex jumped back, not realizing how close she’d come.
“I know.” He reached for her, and she stepped into him and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry, baby. Really.”
Tex moved to his side, and pushed against the tree. “Okay, you lean on me.”
“We should go get Daddy’s wheelchair,” Blaze said.
“I’ll go,” Otis said. “Because Cole just walked by holding hands with a very pretty blonde woman, and I need to know who she is.”
Tex whipped his attention around the park, but he couldn’t pick out Cole in the throngs of people arriving in the park now. “Cole has a girlfriend?”
“He sure does.” Rosie joined them, and she did not look or sound happy. “You should hear him talk about her. It’s Rachel-this, and Rachel-that, and oh-my-landslides-Rosie-Rachel-is-so-smart, and holy-horses-Rosie-I’m-so-nervous-to-kiss-her.” She made a gagging sound and glared out into the general world.
Tex grinned and grinned at her, because Rosie reminded him so much of Pippa.
“So her name is Rachel?”
“Rachel Walker,” Rosie said. “She’s his boss.”
“Oh, so like Boston,” Tex said.
“Speaking of….” Trace nodded toward the parking lot, and when Tex looked that way, he caught Boston leaning forward and kissing a very pretty brunette. He kept it chaste enough, and as he resettled his cowboy hat on his head, she looked up at him like he’d hung the moon just for her.
“Disgusting,” Rosie said, and she stomped away.
“Boston,” Blaze called, and he veered toward them.
