West
The following morning, a hush falls over the Kitchen as I walk in.There’s only three of my family members present, including my best friend—who gossips with the best of them.
“West,” Mama says, fixing a plate at the stove and handing it to Colt.“I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.”
“Mornin’, Mama.”I cross the room and kiss her on the cheek.She looks up at me, and there’s both knowing and disappointment in her gaze.
“You smell like a brewery, son.”
“Sorry.Slept through my alarm, didn’t have time to shower,” I lie.I wake when the roosters crow, sometime even before it.I haven’t set an alarm since high school.Mama fixes me a plate and hands it to me.I take it, because you don’t turn down a plate of food from Mama, but I can’t stomach eating today.Not after I pickled my liver and drank myself into a stupor last night.So I set it down, pour myself a coffee and sit at the table beside my sister.“Thanks.”
“What time are visiting hours?”Lemon asks.
“How should I know?”I sip my coffee and let out a deep sigh.My head and I are not friends today.“Why?”
“Because I’m taking mama to see her.”
“Girl’s trip,” Mama says, clapping enthusiastically.
“Won’t that be a little overwhelming for Daisy?I mean, we only made it there at around two am.I’m sure she’s exhausted.”
“West, she has no family, and her only female friend moved to Dallas three years ago.Of course she wants to see us.”My sister looks fucking giddy, and I have to remember Daisy has been family long before I ever called her a friend.As much as I want to keep her to myself, having Lemon and Mama around her will probably be more help than I am.They’ve both been through childbirth and breastfeeding before.Poor Daisy.She must really be missing her grammy about now.
“You’re probably right.”
“You could come with us,” Mama says.Lemon wrinkles her nose in disappointment, but mama doesn’t catch that.
“Ranch ain’t gonna run itself, Mama.”
“The boys can take over.I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
“And don’t think we’ve forgotten that you’ve not said anything about her birth.We want details.Were you in the room, or did they make you wait outside?”
“The room?”I ask and then instantly regret it because the look on my sister’s face says she wants this story right now.“Daisy didn’t make it to the hospital.Hell, she didn’t even make it ten minutes out of the county.Waylon was born by the side of the road, just passed mile marker fifteen.”
Colt whistles as if he’s glad he dodged that bullet.Mama’s brows attempt to knit with her hairline.
“Oh my god, West!”Lemon shrieks, punching my shoulder hard enough to bruise.For a pregnant woman, she certainly hasn’t lost any damn strength.“You delivered her baby by the side of the road?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, now I’ve heard everything,” Colt says.
“Where is everyone?”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Cash bolts into the house.“West, Colt, you’re gonna wanna see this?”
My heart drops into my stomach.“What is it?”
Cash glances at my mama, then Lemon, and back at me.“Just hurry.”
I set my coffee cup down and head for the door.
“Should we wait for you?”Mama asks.
“No.Best you two just get out of here,” I say.
“What the hell is going on?”Lemon asks Colt.
