“To see Bax.”
He winced, sighed. “I can’t do that for you.”
“I know.” Jase sighed. “Sorry, Gramps. Guess I’m getting maudlin. Looking forward to y’all coming. We’re heading to Momma’s for Christmas proper, then we’ll be there.”
“Well, I’ll be there with bells on.” Then Jason could hear him coming.
“Cool. Okay, Gramps. I’ll let you go. Tell the clown hello. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Jase. Give those babies hugs.” He hung up and sat down, taking one slow breath, then another.
His head eased up some, the pounding dropping to a dull roar. His eyelids drooped, and he had no idea how long he dozed before a very cold nose pushed into his hand.
He let his hand drop down, stroking Pansy’s ears. “Hey, baby girl. What’s up?”
She whined a little, her big, fat paw swacking his leg. She did that when she was agitated.
“No swacking.” He blinked at her, smiled. “Guess I’d better get up, go eat.”
Except he couldn’t. It was cold and his muscles just wouldn’t go. Well, fuck.
“Hey, babe. You’ve been here a bit.” Oh, Dillon had a knack.
“Yeah?” He looked up, just a little worried. “I’m a little froze.”
“Shit, babe.” Dill came and hugged him tight, that compact body radiating heat.
“Oh.” He groaned as his back screamed, his neck going crazy. Still, it felt good—the warm.
“Shh. Just relax into it, babe. Then we’ll get you up to the house and get you a shower.”
“We got comp’ny, cowboy.”
“Mmmhmm. They’re watching football and napping.”
Had he been out there that long?
“Oh.” He might have to take a pain pill.
“You need me to get you a hot blanket or something, babe? There’s the hot tub. You could soak.” His cowboy was purely worried.
“I don’t want to make a fuss. Just pull me up, the back will remember how to do its thing.”
“Okay.” Dillon got a hold under his arms and helped him unfold. His muscles screamed, but he made it.
“Thanks.” The word didn’t have a lot of air to it, but he managed to start walking. One foot after another.
Nattie met them at the fence, eyes narrowed. “Oh, Hoss…”
“Hush.” Folks hurt sometimes.
“I think we ought to fire up the hot tub,” Dillon said, smiling. “We need to test it out. There’s heated tiles, and I can make hot chocolate!”
“I’ll get his pills and a plate of food for him, huh?”
“I’m fine, y’all.”
“Yep. We know. It’s a holiday. Let me spoil you.” Dillon led him to the kitchen, where warmth still lingered from the cooking.
