Page 34 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“Better, actually. It’s going to be a process, but fingers crossed, we’ll be home in eight to twelve weeks.”
“Excellent.”
“The doctors are a lot more positive now that they’ve done more testing, and so…” She let out a sigh. “How about you?”
“Hanging in there.”
“You and your dad?”
“Doing well.”
She gave a small laugh. “As always, a man of many words.”
He smiled at the screen. “Lex is settling in, and Dad’s going to teach her to drive the big tractor, and no, she’ll never be at the wheel without someone being with her.”
“Good.” Candice tilted her head. “And…the history project your mom is involved in?”
“Are you asking about Trenna?”
“I am.”
“Her dad is stirring up some shit with boundary fences, so there’s that.”
“Uh-huh.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Well, you never know about old flames,” Candice said, and she had reason. Trenna wasn’t the reason he and Candice hadn’t made it, but she had been the reason they’d hooked up, both he and Candice having been on the rebound from intense relationships.
He forced a smile. “Lex likes her, and I’m okay with her being here.” He was not going to say,“No big deal”or“We were just kids”again.
“Good to know. Hey,” Candice said softly. “Be sure to keep an eye on Lex. The doctors said that kids will pretend all is well when it isn’t. And with Christmas coming…”
“You know I will. As will Mom and Dad.”
“Thanks.”
“Take care,” Reed said. “My best to Gregg.”
“You know,” Lex said when Reed walked into the kitchen to hand her the tablet, “I am not pretending all is well when it’s not.” She hopped up onto the counter so that their faces were close to the same level.
“Well, if you feel that coming on, will you tell me?” Reed asked.
“I’ll try.”
“I mean it.”
“Me, too.” Lex jumped down off the counter and jerked her head toward the fridge. “Is it ice cream time or what?”
Reed opened the freezer door. “I look forward to the day when you can dish out hard ice cream.”
Lex flexed her arm and tapped her bicep. “It might be a while.”
Reed shook his head as he set the frozen box of Moose Tracks on the counter. “Step up your program.”
Lex gave him a salute. “Yes. Sir. In the meantime, I’ll have two scoops. Make ’em big.”
*
