Jordon turned around to look at Spider.His expression had closed down, she suspected so she wouldn’t be able to tell what he was thinking.
“You mind if I stay a while?We can finish this game, maybe play another?Or do you have therapy you need to get to?”
Spider shook his head.“No therapy today.They haven’t gotten me on the schedule yet, plus with the move this morning they weren’t sure if I would be up for it.I’d like if you stayed, if it’s not too much trouble.I understand there’s a lot to do and I don’t want to put you or your family out.Plus you’re tired.You should go back and get some sleep.”
Jordon twisted back around.
“I’ll stay.But hold off on sending one of the boys.I’ll call Marci and see if she can pick me up.If you can spare me in the morning, I might just stay with her tonight.”
“You’ve spent most of the last week in the barn with Wildfire, you deserve a day or two away.Of course we can handle things tomorrow, even for a few days.We love having you around, sweetheart, but we know you’re an adult and eventually you’re going to head out on a life of your own.”Daddy came close and kissed the top of her head.“Let me know if Marci is busy.I’ll send one of the boys.”
“Thanks!”she said, then watched as Daddy shook Spider’s hand.
“I’ll be back in a day or two.I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”
“Thank you.”
Daddy met her gaze, nodded then left.
“You didn’t need to stay.You haven’t had much sleep.You should go catch up with him and get some rest.”
“I’m fine.I’m enjoying this,” she nodded at the table and cards between them.“I’m enjoying getting to know you and talking.Besides, I don’t sleep well during the day.I might as well stay then I’ll sleep well tonight.”She drew a card, checked it against what was in her hand and dropped it on the discard pile.
Spider snatched the card almost before it landed.He slotted it into the middle of his hand, then pulled another and dropped it face down.
“I was waiting for that,” he said as he laid his hand down.He added up his score and wrote it down before gathering up the cards and shuffling them.“I take it you’ve been around Bozeman all your life?”
“Mostly.We traveled with daddy while he was still riding, but after his accident we settled onto the ranch and have been there since.My grandparents, Mama’s folks, moved into town a few years ago so they could be closer to the doctors and stuff.Grandpa died last year so I come into town pretty often to see Grandma.She doesn’t drive anymore and she’s living in a home so I can’t stay with her, but I see her at least once a week.”
“That’s nice.I never knew any of my grandparents.My mother was an orphan, grew up in the foster system.I don’t know about my dad’s family.He never talked about them and I only remember asking once.Learned not to do that again.”He shook his head for a moment then started dealing.
“I’ll be right back.I need to find a restroom.”She slid off the foot of the bed.
“Use mine.It’s right there.”He motioned to a door next to the window.
She ducked into the restroom, knowing she’d need to find something to eat soon or she would crash hard but not willing to leave Spider yet.She didn’t know why, but at the same time, she wasn’t ready to look at that too closely.Not yet.
