Wyatt handed him the wayward pole, his expression serious. “Why don’t you want a woman? It might be real nice to have one around.”
“We have Grandma and Aunt Emberly.”
This time Anson snorted, and it was loud enough to rival a moose about to charge.
“Besides,” Tyler continued without giving Wyatt a chance to say that Grandma and Aunt Emberly didn’t count. “I’m busy with the ranch. You know that.”
He’d taken over managing their luxury ranch resort from his dad the year he’d graduated from the University of Colorado, and he’d been in charge ever since. Ten years, to be exact.
Of course, his dad had continued to help in a public-relations role, which suited his personality better than the everyday management of the ranch’s operations.
“You’ve got the ranch running great.” Wyatt spoke with a seriousness that a child of seven shouldn’t have. “Maybe you should focus on something else now. Like getting me a mom.”
Tyler opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. What could he say anyway? Wyatt already had a mom, but maybe the boy wasn’t satisfied with the once- or twice-a-year visits with Stephanie and was beginning to want more than just a dad provided.
“Listen, Wyatt—” At the buzz of his phone, he fished it out of his back pocket to see his mom’s name and profile filling the screen. He tapped open the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Tyler.” His mom’s voice was breathless and strained.
“What’s up?” With the dry fly missing from his line, Tyler began to slosh toward his tacklebox sitting on the river’s edge near Anson.
“It’s your dad.”
Stepping out onto the rocky embankment, Tyler came to an immediate halt.
“He’s having back pain again,” his mom rushed. “It’s so bad that he fell and can’t get up.”
Dad had been having bouts of back pain recently, and Tyler had tried to make him take it easy. Of course, Dad was a stubborn and determined McQuaid and never rested.
“Where are you?”
“We’re at the house.”
“Don’t try to lift him. I’ll be right there.”
“He’s throwing up, Ty.” Mom’s voice wavered with worry. “And he’s complaining of stomach pain now too.”
“This sounds more serious than just a strained back.”
“I think so too.”
Tyler’s mind whirred. He had to come up with a solution and manage the situation. Fast. “We need to take him in to the ER.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I’ve already asked Kade to get the helicopter ready.”
In Park County, the ranch wasn’t near an emergency room. For severe situations, they almost always used the helicopter and flew to Colorado Springs, which was only about sixty miles away. His youngest brother, Kade, had a pilot’s license and was the one they relied on to get them where they needed to go.
“I’m worried, Ty,” his mom whispered, probably trying to keep Dad from hearing her.
“It’ll be fine.” At least, Tyler hoped it would be. “Hold tight, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
He ended the call and then shot a quick call to Kade. As he finished and stuffed his phone into his pocket, Anson was at his side, his forehead furrowed.
“Something wrong with T.W.?”
“More back pain.” All the employees at Healing Springs Ranch loved his dad, especially the old-timers like Anson.
Anson’s scowl deepened. Since he lived at the main house, he’d heard Dad’s recent complaints about his back. Just yesterday, Dad had tried to put on his cowboy boots and had nearly buckled over with a spasm.
