“I don’t know what the other one’s name is, but she’s nice. She has a big scratch on her face. I think it’s a she.”
“There shouldn’t be two horses, should there, Mitch?”
“I’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. I’ll run out there before I come to see you.” Just what they needed, a bonus horse.
“Good, good. Where’s my other girls?”
“I’m right here, Cam. Rachel’s getting dressed. We were in the hot tub swimming with Uncle Mark. I think we should get a hot tub for our house, Cam.” Bekka grinned at Sarah as she nodded. “I think you and I could figure out how to budget it, and then I could get a babysitting job. There’s lots of kids around our house now.”
“Do you think we need a hot tub?”
“I do.”
Mitch listened to this with half an ear, just shaking his head. This was the first time that he had heard her ask for something so confidently in an eon.
Also, how had they known where the horse was held?
“Well, I think you and I will have plenty of time while I’m healing to talk about it and plan it out. I’m going to need some help around the house. Especially at first. Do you girls think you’ll be able to help me?”
“We will.”
Sarah nodded. “We so will.”
“Is that Cam?” Rachel’s little voice was loud, and she came running in. “Cam! I heard you.”
“Hey, sweet baby. How are you?”
“I miss you. We went to the Lego store, and we went to the Walmart, and I bought you a present, and we’ve bought snacks. Are you hungry? We like snacks. Do you like chicken nuggets? Sarah says you like a Quarter Pounder — that’s a hamburger — but I think chicken nuggets are better.”
Cam’s chuckle was weak. “If it’s from McDonald’s, I want a milkshake.”
“I told them that. Anything else?” Mitch asked.
“Maybe just a cheeseburger this time? I do like a Quarter Pounder, baby girl, but that might be a little hard on my tummy today.”
“You hit your head. Is it making you urpy?” Rachel asked.
“Just a little.” Cam sounded tired as fuck. Mitch knew he’d been sleeping a lot, but they’d given him some pain meds, and that made a guy loopy.
“Well, we can make it better. We’ll come kiss your head.”
“I can’t wait to see y’all. I mean it.” Cam sounded like he was breathing through his nose. “Just bring me a milkshake when you come.”
“You rest for a bit. I’ll call again before I come down and see if you feel like me bringing this crew to you.” He held up a hand when the girl started to protest. “If they have to, they can wait and see you tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, babe. Find out about that horse, okay?”
“I got it. I’m on top of it.” It felt good to be on top of things. It didn’t feel good to have Cam being so sick or sitting in the hospital, but Mitch was glad he could turn the favor around and be functional for a change.
“I love you all so much,” Cam said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“We love you,” the girls chorused. They were so sad not to be with Cam.
“I’ll see you soon, babe,” Mitch said, echoing Cam’s sentiment. “Love you.”
Bekka gave him a very serious look. “Cam doesn’t sound very good. Maybe we ought to stay here at the hotel while you go back, Daddy.”
“Yeah, I think that might be a good idea. We can go see him in the morning all together and take him breakfast instead. Okay? You guys can get lunch with Mark, and then I’ll bring McDonald’s back when I come back at dinner time.”
