Tear-filled eyes met his. “A nap, Bell. I need a nap. I’m so damn tired this time.”
“Okay, Missy. Come on and ride up to the house.” The truck was idling right behind him, Beau ready.
He opened the door for her, nodded to Beau. “Give me two shakes to lock up and I’ll hop in the back.”
“You got it.”
The drive down was bumpy but short. AJ needed to grade his drive. Sam gave a long second’s thought to his place—all the work that needed doing—then he let it go. This first. Then home.
Missy was actually giving them a watery smile by the time they pulled up. “Wait for the onslaught.”
“Momma? Momma, who’s that?” One of the older kids—Sam couldn’t remember their names—came running out.
“This is Mr. Bell and Mr. Lafitte. They’re friends of Daddy’s.”
Sammy nodded and grinned as little Benji wandered up. That boy wasn’t right in the head, but sweet? Damn. “Hey, Benji. You ‘member me?”
Benj shook his head, then blinked at Beau. “Oh. You’re on my wall.”
“Am I?” Beau smiled his crookedy little smile. “You like bull riding, huh?”
Benji nodded, grinned wide as a monkey. “My daddy is a bull rider. And Uncle Jason, too. Uncle Poppy is a bullfighter. That’s what I’m gonna be, too.”
“Cool. We need them.” Beau put a hand on Benji’s shoulder, just real light. “You want to go into town with me and get some supper, son? As soon as I see your Uncle Jason, I’m gonna go get us hamburgers and French fries.”
“Uncle Jason cain’t see you, too.” Benji blinked at his momma. “Momma, can I? I’ll be good as gold.”
“Maybe, baby.” Missy looked stricken, glancing from him to Beau. “Why don’t you and Janie go and get the iced tea pitcher out? You remember how to do the ice?”
“Uh-huh.” The little ones headed off, then Sam turned to Missy.
“What’s wrong with Jason?”
“He cain’t see.” She said it flat out, not holding back anymore. “His head injury did some kind of nerve blockage.”
“What?” He blinked, then looked at Beau. “What did she say?”
Beau stared, pale as a sheet. “He cain’t see? Like, he’s blind?”
She nodded. “Gramps says we cain’t tell. They’re putting him on bulls. He’s not telling. You get that, right?”
“Yeah.” Beau nodded, and Sam turned to stare at him now.
“What?”
“Andy’s real protective and Jason’s… It’s hard, huh?”
“Well, sure it is.” Beau sounded so reasonable. Sam knew better. He could see the set of Beau’s jaw.
“Shit, y’all. I don’t know how to do this, and I’m expecting again, and AJ is gonna get in big trouble if he doesn’t come home soon. I got two in diapers and--“
Beau gave him the panicky face, the one that happened around teary women. Sammy rolled his eyes and went to put his arm around her. “Go settle your kids so you can have a nap, huh? We’ll handle Jase and supper and all.”
“You two can have Gramp’s room. Jase and Andy are in the trailer.”
“Okay.” He led her in, Beau peeling off and murmuring to Benji, who had the tea pitcher.
The house phone rang and Benji grabbed it with his free hand. “Uncle Candy! Huh? Daddy’s friends. Mr. Bell and Mr. Feet.” Benji’s little face crumpled a little. “Momma? Momma!”
