Someone tugged on his pants, AJ’s son Benji’s eyes meeting his. “Who are you?”
“I’m Dillon, honey.” Dillon wiggled like he would at the shows. “The clown.”
“You’re the bullfighters’ friend.”
“I am.” He took a chance and touched Benji’s head, ruffling the sparse hair. He knew the story, how Benji had come out with the cord around his neck.
“I’m gonna be a bullfighter just like Uncle Poppy.”
“Yeah? You been practicing? Basset hounds are a lot like bulls. You could play with them.”
Benji blinked at him and Tracy chuckled. “Did you see the puppies? They’re Uncle Poppy’s and Uncle Dillon’s.”
“Puppies?” Benji was so excited.
“Uncle Nattie has them, if you want to go find them.”
“Puppies!” Off he went, feet banging on the floor.
Both women looked after him with bittersweet smiles.
He knew Benji was on the wrong side of right, but those smiles were a little worrying. “Is he okay?” Dillon asked. “You know, with all his folks being away?”
“He’s okay. I’m not sure he understands. He’s more worried about Janie.”
“Poor guy.” The whole thing was such a mess that Dillon didn’t want to think too much on it.
“Yeah.” Lassie nodded. “Fact is that Janie will be home tomorrow, so will Denny. Dad’s going to be released as soon as his fucking blood pressure goes down and that just leaves Momma.”
Mrs. Gardner was the cornerstone of the clan, though. That was gonna suck. He put three burgers on the plate and started three more.
“She’s going to be fine, honey.” Tracy didn’t sound completely convinced.
Dillon nodded and flipped a burger. “She is. Coke has taught me a lot about announcing my will to the universe.”
Lassie grinned at him. “Mr. Coke’s a doll baby.”
“Yep.” Dillon pondered a doll-sized Coke and chuckled.
“Why is the clown laughing, huh?” Balta came in, clapping Dillon on the back.
“Balta!” Good Lord. How many people were here?
Joa came in next, along with Eduardo, Silvano, and about four others he didn’t recognize.
The Brazilians were there in force. They did like to work cattle… Dillon grinned and nodded and put on more burgers.
“You need some help?” That was Joa, bumping shoulders with him. “That little boy’s outside with the dogs, playing bullfighter.”
“Good. Nate’s out there, huh?” He hated to think of Benji being alone. “Can you toast buns and stuff?”
“Sure. Taggarts are out there, too, more of AJ’s people. Someone’s making a fire in the pit.”
“Cool.” He slapped Joa on the back. “Thanks, man.”
Balta was talking to one of the girls, filling her in on the state of the back forty, and there was a low buzz of Portuguese from the other guys. It was like being at an event.
Tracy came over, smiled at him. “Can you burn one for me, honey? I’m craving.”
