“What?”
“Weallsaw it coming,” Cal says.
Finn laughs.“Pro tip: Never take pain medication unless you’re in the company of friends and family.”
“Great.”They’re all waiting for me to ask what I said to them under the influence, but I won’t give them the satisfaction.Besides, I already have a pretty good idea.
We spend about a half hour strategizing.I’ll work with the recorder’s office to transfer the deed.And we’ll figure out a way to drop by for a visit at Travis Ranch before Finn’s wedding.
The door to my hospital room flies open and Declan and Special K come running in, breathing hard.
“That was a quick round trip,” Dad says.“Hope you didn’t throw them out the side while you were still in the air.”
“What’d we miss?”Declan asks.
“Nothing,” Cal says.
A huge smile spreads over Finn’s face.“Only that Evander plans on marrying Phoebe.And our great-grandfather was a poker cheat who stole part of Travis Ranch.And Evander’s going to give the land back in the hopes that Phoebe’s dad will see him as a more appropriate husband for his only daughter, which we all know is a bridge too far.”
“Cool,” Special K says.“Let’s go, Dad, Cal.It’s been three hours since I’ve eaten.”
“You all right here by yourself, son?We’ll be back to get you in the morning if the doctor says it’s okay.”
“Of course.”
“Hey,” Declan says, his brow pulled tight.“We just saw three of the Travassholes on their snowmobiles.Which means the Head ‘Hole is staying here with Phoebe, probably so that you can’t get anywhere near her.”
“Whatever.Let’s not use that nickname anymore, all right?It’s time to move on.”
Dad pats my shoulder as he walks by.“I’m glad you’re home, Evander.Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Catch up with you,” Cal tells them, shutting and locking the patient room door and turning to me.“What happened out there?”
I shrug.“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He pauses.“I was asking about the blizzard, but okay.”
“The blizzard was wild.I’ll tell you all about it later.”
He nods.“Fair enough.So…let’s talk about Finlay, then.He leaves for his honeymoon the morning after the wedding.Declan, K, and I have already been brainstorming abduction plans.”
“I’m sure the trail to the hot springs is impassable.”
“Oh, we’re planning somethingmuchbetter thanwhat you fuck-knuckles did to me.”
I notice the glint in my oldest brother’s eye.“You want revenge, don’t you?”
“Fuck yeah, I want revenge.And rightly so.”He pokes his finger in my chest.“And if you everdomarry Phoebe, keep in mind that you’re a marked man.What I dream of for you will make my tasing, hogtying, and trunk surfing look like a preschool Easter egg hunt.”
“Roger that.”
Cal leans in and chest bumps me, then pounds my back.“I’m so glad you’re alive.But, bro, put on some clothes, would ya?”He opens the door.
“Hey!”I yell after him.“Bring me something to wear tomorrow.I’d like a pair of charcoal gray corduroys, a black cashmere—”
He turns the corner.
I’ll be wearing these scrubs home, no doubt about it.
