Surprising me, Ellie bolts up off the floor, and trotsstraight to the bag. She stuffs her hand inside and I can feelSloane’s eyes burning into me from behind me. Just as she’s aboutto pull whatever it is out of the bag, we hear a huge bang fromoutside and then Blake shouting loudly. “Shit! Callnine-one-one!”
…and I don’t get to find out what’s in the bag…until dayslater.
Chapter 2
Maverick
Gunner’sface is as pale as a goddamn sheet. His forearm is hanging by athread from his upper arm. A lone towel wrapped around it is theonly thing keeping it from pulling an Eeyore, and falling from hisbody, like he’s one of them children’s birthday games, where youcan pull the body part away and attach it somewhere else. Nobodyever got the goods on what he was actually doing in the moving van,but we all heard the bang. And Gunner’s the type to go on ahead andso something stupid, putting himself in danger, and this is noexception.
Ellie’sguilt is clearly showing. She’s in the room with him, and she seemsto be the only one of us that can stand it, as well. Hell, evenBlake can’t stand to look at it, and he’s the one who’s in thestable when all of our mares go into calf. Me, I’m in the room,only because I can keep my eyes pinned on Gunner’s. He’s a toughkid, though, and the doctors are working as fast as they can toprepare the operating room for him, so they can re-attach andrepair his arm. He’ll probably never be able to use it properlyever again, but the doctor says that the orthopedic surgeon, whomthey’ve called, with check it out.
“It’s not that bad, Gunner.” Ellie comforts. “They’ll get yourarm back in place in no time.”
Sloaneand Jacob, plus Terence, stayed back, to get Ellie’s place puttogether. So, it’s just us Walters boys here. Nobody called mama.No need to alarm her, plus, since all of us boys are here, she’sgot her hands full minding the hands and the ranch.
“Are you sure they’re going to be able to tack it back on?”Gunner asks, barely able to talk, he’s shaking so bad fromshock.
“The bone is broken, honey. They’ll use screws to put it backin place.”
“But Maverick says it’s hanging by a thread.” Hewhines.
Elliegives me a look. “It’s not that bad, honey. Trust me.”
“Looked that way to me.” I shrug.
“Imagination can sometimes be our enemy.” Ellie says, both tome and to my brother.
ThatI’ll give her.
We heara knock at the door and Blake’s head appears. “How we all doin’ inhere?”
Ellieanswers. “Good. The doctor said that they’re getting the OR readyfor him. Any minute now.”
Blakenods. “Mama knows, FYI. She called to ask when we were coming back.I sent Zack and Austin home. We’ll get them to pick us uplater.”
“Sounds good.” Ellie purses her lips into a smile. “Y’all cancome in, you know.”
Blakeholds back a wince. “I’ll stay out here in case mama calls again.Y’all let me know if you need anything.”
Hecloses the door and I look at Ellie. She’s got a wet paper towelagainst Gunner’s forehead, keeping him cool, and her fingers arestroking his hair, keeping him calm. I’m not sure if this is herguilt showing, or if she truly feels for my kid brother. I don’thave the stomach for it. That’s mama’s job, and I’m proud to lether have it. You got a colt that needs taming, or a horse thatneeds broken, a screw loose, a house that needs to be built, I’myour man. You got a sick or bleeding kid, I’m so quickly out thedoor, your head would spin. I’m not cut out for shit likethat.
“How you doin’ there, partner?” Ellie asks Gunner, her voicesoft.
“I feel numb and cold. I think I’m dying.” Gunneranswers.
“No, you’re not dying, sweetie. We’re going to get you fixedup right quick.” She says soothingly.
“Yeah, man. Your arm will be better in no time.” I add. “Justthink of the cool scars you’re gonna have after this. Chicks digscars.”
Gunnersmiles. Ellie does, too. A nurse comes in a moment later, andattaches an intravenous tube to Gunner’s good arm. She hooks up abag of something, and then another, and says that he should feel nopain pretty soon. Within moments, relief washes over his face.“Y’all feeling better, baby?” Ellie says, surprising me.
“Yeah. Whatever that shit is, it’s good.” Gunner answers,closing his eyes. He seems to relax, and almost immediately hestops shaking.
“You think mama’ll buy me a pony?” Gunner blurts.
Ellielooks over at me with a smirk.
“Y’all want a pony?” I ask, playing along.
