Cowboy Lullaby (The Boones of Texas 6)

“Good news, right?” Scarlett asked.

Poor Scarlett had picked her up from Click’s without asking a single question. Every day, she chattered away as if she understood Tandy couldn’t bear to talk about whatever had happened. And for that, Tandy was thankful.

“Yes.” Tandy hugged her, not sure what to think or feel. “It’s great news.” So why wasn’t she more excited? And why did she want to share the good news with Click?

“We should do something to celebrate,” Scarlett said, smiling widely. “But, Dad needs me. I’ll be back later. We’ll go do something?”

Tandy nodded. “Of course. Yes. Go on.” She waved her toward the door and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her letter.

She read the letter again and again, searching for the excitement she’d imagined.

The strumming of a guitar had her digging through her things for her cell phone.

Click.

She stared at it, the guitar ringtone strumming again and again.

“Hello?” she answered.

Pearl’s cries echoed through the receiver.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, standing.

“Pearl’s got an ear infection. She’s had her meds but...she wants you.” His voice was gruff. “I didn’t want to bother you, but she won’t calm down.”

Bother her? She didn’t need to think about her answer. Pearl was sick and wanted her. “I’ll be there soon.” She hung up and started shrugging into clean clothes.

In less than five minutes she was headed to Click’s—tangled mop of wet hair and all. Pearl would eventually stop crying, logically she knew this. And that she was putting herself right back in the vulnerable position that scared her. But it didn’t matter. She kept driving. Apparently, all it took to set aside her sense of self-preservation was Pearl’s cries.

Banshee bailed out of the truck as soon as they arrived, Pearl’s wails spilling out into the country air. Tandy followed quickly, pushing through the front door without knocking. She didn’t look at Click, not yet—she was here for Pearl.

“Ta-dee,” Pearl hiccuped, reaching for her as soon as she saw her. “Bashee.”

Tandy took one look at Pearl’s tear-streaked red face and knew she’d done the right thing. “Poor baby,” she whispered, hugging the toddler close. “I’m sorry you feel bad, snuggle bunny.” She patted her back.

“Doc said it was pretty bad.” Click’s voice was low. “She’s real congested, too.”

She could tell. Beneath her hand, Pearl’s lungs wheezed. Poor Pearl. And poor Click. Having a sick baby was scary—especially the first time. She glanced at him, noting the tension in his shoulders and the shadows beneath his eyes. “I know it hurts, snuggle bunny, but you’re going to be okay.” She sat in the rocking chair and started humming.

Pearl shuddered and hiccuped against her, one little hand reaching up to twine in her loose hair. Slowly Pearl calmed, her little voice mirroring Tandy’s.

It was the sweetest sound.

Tandy drew in a deep breath and risked another look Click’s way. She wasn’t prepared for the anger that blazed there. He’d called her but he wasn’t happy about it.

Why would he be? She’d deserted them. Him... Again. When he needed her most. Because she’d let her fear take over—and made the biggest mistake of her life.

Pearl coughed, the heavy barking sound making Click wince.

“Did the doctor talk about getting a nebulizer?” she asked.

He nodded. “Set up in the bedroom already. Gave her a bath in some vapor stuff that stinks to the high heavens, too.”

She smiled at him. He had no idea how amazing he was. “You’ve done all the right things.”

He ran a hand over his face, clearly agitated. “She’s sick. That’s on me.”

“Kids get sick, Click.” She kept patting Pearl’s back, kept her voice calm. “It’s not your fault.”