“How about we start with some gin?”He pointed to the end of the bed next to his cast, where his missing leg should be, but wasn’t.“Have a seat, it will be easier if you’re at the same level.”
She froze.“Are you sure?”
“Sit.You want to deal first?”He held up the deck.
“Go ahead.”
He watched as she moved a little closer then hitched one leg and sat on the foot of his bed.
“You didn’t tell me what you meant about why you haven’t been sleeping.”He dealt the cards and had just set down the deck and flipped the first card when Clint came back carrying a can of Pepsi.
“How’s this?”Clint held it up.
“That will do.Thanks.”Spider took the can, popped the top and drank half the can in one long pull before setting it out of the way and picking up his cards.
“I wasn’t sleeping because I was in the barn with a mare.It was her first foal, and I was worried about her.But she delivered early this morning.Mama and baby are healthy, so I can stop stressing about them ...at least as much.”
“And you still chose to come into town instead of getting some sleep.”Spider watched as she took a card then discarded.
“I did.I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m fine.I’m kind of stuck in a holding pattern.I can do a little weightlifting, but I can’t do any walking for at least another couple of weeks.I can’t even move myself to the wheelchair until then.”
“And I’m sure that is making you more than cranky,” Jordon said as she checked her cards and made her play.
“It’s certainly not helping my mood.”He took a deep breath and let it out in a rush as he checked his cards and tried to decide if he wanted to pick up the 8 of spades she’d just laid down or let it go.Deciding to draw from the deck, he glanced over at Clint.“You have any ideas on what I can do to keep from losing my mind in here?”
“That’s a good one.”Clint nodded toward the table where they were playing.“Board games too.You can do the same with a phone or computer but it’s not as satisfying, at least not to me.”Clint shrugged.“I’m not big on devices, though I do like being able to read anywhere, to download nearly any book I want in a few seconds and have them all at my fingertips without the weight.And I’ve come to appreciate audio books for when I’m doing something that doesn’t take a lot of mental presence.”
“I don’t know what it is, but I’m having a hard time focusing enough to read.I keep finding my mind wandering.I’ve turned on the TV a couple of times, but it all makes me want to scream at the screen for being so stupid, especially the news.”Spider shook his head, watched what Jordon played and took his turn.
“I have to admit.I don’t watch the news much either.I do keep up with what’s going on in the world, or at least my corner of it.”She lifted one shoulder and let it fall, then took her turn.“What else do you do to entertain yourself?When you’re not in here, that is?”
“I ride, not horses like you, but you knew that.It’s what got me in here.I work in the shop.”
“So you’re a mechanic?”
Spider shook his head.
“Not really.I mean I can do basic shit—sorry.I mean stuff.”He glanced over at Clint to see if his slip and using foul language in front of the older man’s daughter was going to set him off.Clint didn’t seem to have even noticed.
“Daddy was a rodeo cowboy.His language could make a sailor blush.He’s not old enough to be part of that never cuss in front of a woman thing, and even if he was, Mama’s language is almost as bad as his.You’re not going to bother me by saying whatever you like.Daddy does, as do all three of my brothers.”
Spider blinked, played his turn, then glanced at Clint before he spoke again.
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Three.I’m the only girl.What about you?That was one of your brothers here the first day we came in, wasn’t it?”
Spider bobbed his head from side to side.
“Yes and no.”
She glanced at him and frowned, then let her gaze drop back to the cards in her hand.
“Growing up I was an only child.”
“That had to be lonely.”
