Page 55 of Inferno
“No, I don’t think you really do.” Stan reached out and gripped the boy’s shoulder. “If anything happens to me,you’llbecome the man of the house. So you know what that means? It means you’ll need to man up, like your name says, and take care of your mother and your younger brothers. Do you understand that?”
“What’re you talking about, Dad?” Manning whispered, staring at him. “What’sgonna happen to you?”
Seeing the stricken expression on his son’s face, Stan realized that he’d frightened him, which was the last thing he’d intended to do.
Overcome with emotion, he hauled Manning roughly into his arms. “I love you,” he choked out hoarsely. “Love you so damn much, son.”
“I love you too, Dad,” Manning whispered.
Stan clung to him for as long as he could, thenkissedthe top of the boy’s head and drew away, blinking back tears that were mirrored in Manning’s eyes.
Mustering a shaky smile, Stan patted his son’s cheek and said gruffly, “See what happens when your mom’s not around? I get all girly and sentimental.”
Manning grinned crookedly.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, they glanced around just as Montana, Magnum, Maddox and Mason appeared in the doorway.
Stan eyed them expectantly. “What’s up, fellas?”
The brothers exchanged uncomfortable glances.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Monty explained.
“Wind’s blowing too hard,” Magnum muttered.
“Not really tired,” Maddox added.
Only Mason was brave enough to confess the truth. “I miss Ma,” he complained.
The others looked at one another,thenburst out laughing.
