Page 117 of My Cowboy Freedom
“Be sure to get some shut-eye.” I could have kicked myself for adding that. Jesus.
Was I planning on being his momma too?
I’d had my smart phone since morning, so I’d had time to look up seizure disorders. I knew Rock’s schedule was super important to his well-being. He had to eat at regular intervals and sleep at least eight hours. He had to undergo blood tests to make sure he was taking the meds he needed properly and even then, there was no magic bullet. Just a constant balancing act.
“And eat properly.” I couldnothelp myself.
“I will. Don’t nag. I have Elena for that.”
“It’s not nagging if it’s because I care.” Unthinking, I’d used my mother’s words. It still felt weird finding memories, like little souvenirs of her role in my life...
“Do you?” Rock’s pleasure was audible.
“Like you didn’t know that.” I pulled my hat off and wiped my forehead with my sleeve. Goddamnit, but the heat just never let up.
“Hey!” Robbie hollered to announce supper. His laughter accompanied the triangle and Jason’s call of “Come and get it!”
When I stood, Sophie fluffed herself up to charge and scratch at me.Ow, goddamnit.
“I’ve gotta go, Rock. Text me later?” That sounded awful needy, so I added, “If you get any news, I mean.”
“Sure.” Shyness backlit his voice. I knew exactly what his smile would look like, how it’d split his face like a happy half moon, all sorta-crooked and sweet. “I’ll text to say good night, if that’s okay.”
There was aclick, and then I heard a scuffle and a muttered curse.
Rock said, “Oh shit.”
I froze. “Something up?”
Rock’s breathing got ragged. “I have to go.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.No.”
“Huh?” I waited, heart pounding, for him to explain.
“I can’t talk right now.” His voice had changed. Lost all warmth, all humor, all inflection. “I— Wow, okay. Not good.”
“Wait. What’s going on?” NowIwas worried too. Despite aching muscles from an exhausting day, I took off for the bunkhouse at a run. “Did the boss take a turn for the worse? Is there something you need me to tell Tad and them?”
“It’s going to be okay. I’msureit’s going to be okay.”
A chill washed over me at the hopelessness in his tone. “You’re scaring me. Talk.”
“I can’t. My father is on the other line. I have to go.”
He hung up.
