“Ah hell, do I even want to know?” A big toothy grin is what he gives me.
“You might hate this, but I’m going to make you pinky promise.” I hold mine out towards him.
“I’m so screwed.” He hooks his with mine.
“Nah, but you have to help me with Knox and getting him to the bathroom. He’s refusing my help, but I figure his manly pride won’t be too hurt if it’s you helping instead of me.” That was one of Knox’s main concerns, having us both live in his parents’ house and his dad having to help him to take care of business. Even though Knox said he took care of it, he was also on pain pills and battling the decision he made.
“Was already planning on it, baby sister,” he responds. I lean my head back, taking a deep breath. Now, if only the doctor would come out to give us some kind of news.
“The family of Knox McCray?” It’s as if my hopes and dreams have been answered when the doctor enters the room.
“That’s all of us,” Mr. McCray responds. We all get up together, crowding around the doctor.
“Good, that’ll make this that much easier. Everything went smoothly. We were able to repair both the ACL and MCL. Minimal scarring will be involved. It wasn’t as invasive as we previously thought, but he’d definitely need the surgery sooner rather than later. They’re just moving him to another room, and then you can all visit with him. If all goes well tonight, we’ll release him tomorrow.” The doctor gives us his spiel, shaking each of our hands, and takes his leave.
“Thank you, God,” I breathe out. My dad is already opening his arms, knowing my worry, and sometimes you just need the other man in your life.
“He’s okay, sweetie.” I leave his arms, already heading out the door to ask the nurse which room he’ll be in. I want to be there the second he’s in his room. Being away from him even for a few hours with all this worry built up inside me, I need my eyes on him like I need blood pumping through my veins.
Epilogue
Knox
Three Years Later
There’s nothing better than being out on your own piece of land, your wife watching you work the horses after a long week of herding cattle, our daughter on her hip, looking more beautiful than ever.
“Da-da.” I jokingly told Blake that if we ever had a girl, we’d be screwed. Eliza came out looking just like her momma—hair color, eye color, hell, even skin color, and she’s just as beautiful too. I know I’ll be truly fucked when she gets older.
“How are my girls doing?” I leave Trigger and Black Betty, both of them getting on in years, though that doesn’t stop my wife from competing in barrels every now and then when she gets a spur up her butt.
“Good, just woke up from a nap.” Blakely’s eyes light up with mischief. That’s probably because I snuck away from working in the barn during Eliza’s nap. Our little girl loves her sleep, and once she’s out, she’s dead to the world. It gives me and Blake the time we need in the middle of the day. When I left, she was passed out asleep, naked, lying on her stomach, leg cocked to the side, and my cum was seeping from her cunt. It took all I had to leave her alone and not take her a second time.
“And how was that nap?” I wink at her. Eliza’s arms are already reaching for me.
“I missed you.” She reaches on the tips of her toes, kissing me. This makes Eliza do the same thing.
“Someone had to get the horses ready and not sleep all day, especially if you want to go on a trail ride.” Every Saturday, like clockwork, I get all the chores I can done, get the horses tacked up, let them in to get their jitters out, and then once Eliza wakes up from her nap, we go on an hour-long ride or so.
“It’s a good thing we have you. Who’s Eliza riding with today?” Blake jokes. The day I’m wearing a baby carrier on a horse will be the day they not only take away my man card, but it will also be the time when Trace will come out with his stupid fucking camera and get proof for everyone to see.
“I love you, darlin’, and I love our peanut, but she’s with you until she’s a bit older.” Eliza’s only eight months old, still nursing, and is a mover. Hence why she’s in a baby carrier when riding right now.
“I hear you. Well, hold your peanut for a few minutes. I want to run Trigger for a bit. How’d he do for you today?” she asks. Her horse will always be her baby, and even though she’s put her plans on hold to help out on our own ranch, it won’t be long until she’s ready to get it started.