Balta groaned. “He is obsessed with Arby’s.”
Raul stopped to drop a kiss on Balta’s mouth before bringing Joa his food. Joa stared at them, wide-eyed. This was a private room, but goodness.
He’d never quite seen them so…hungry. It made him wish he could spring wood.
Then Raul came to him, kissing him far more gently. “Tacos.”
“Thank you.” He searched Raul’s eyes. “I’m a little crazy today, huh?”
“Are you?” Raul stroked his cheek with one hand. “You seem better, though.”
“Good.” He wanted to be able to go home, not to some ‘facility’.
“You’ll be fine. You have Balta to whip you into shape.” Raul’s smile was rueful, but not bitter, he thought.
“You’ll be home in the week, though?” Raul wasn’t leaving them?
“I will. I will miss you pulling my rope.” Now that smile turned to pure evil, showing that was not what Raul would miss him pulling. “But once we get your truck back to Texas, I will just fly to events. Balta says he will help me.”
“Sim. We are family. We need to make this easy.” Balta’s eyebrows waggled. “Airline miles.”
Joa laughed. True. Balta did have many miles. Family. Joa brightened at that, and sat up, so carefully. It had been a revelation, how his femur was attached to his hips. There would be no crunches for a while.
Raul spread out some napkins on his chest and lap, then wheeled the table over so he could eat.
“Thank you. This stinks.”
“If it stinks, we have a problem. Eat your tacos.” Balta was stretched out in one of the chairs, boots propped up, crossed at the ankle.
Joa stuck his tongue out, but to see Raul at peace with Balta’s decision helped him. He’d been afraid for a fight, for things to shatter because they were so new, the three of them, and they hadn’t weathered anything like this before.
“You are thinking too hard. Eat, Joa.” Balta acted casual, but watched him like a hawk.
“Sim. Listen to thevelho, Joa.”
“Velho,” Balta arched his eyebrow. “I will show you, old man.”
“You might get arrested for that here,” Raul said.
It was Cheyenne, after all. The people were…not ready for the games Raul and Balta could play. Joa ate two tacos before he tired, and there were cinnamon twists.
Raul bullied three into him, before he shook his head, closing his eyes to rest.
“Poor Joaquim.” Raul bent to kiss his forehead. “You understand? That I still need to go ride?”
“Of course!” His eyes flew open, Raul so close Joa could see the hint of stubble on his dear face. “You will win, Raul. I know it. I know.”
“I will try.” Raul chuckled. “I want to send some money back to Brazil, but I also want to pull my weight at home with you and Balta.”
“At home.” How could he not smile at those words? “Sim, Raul. At home.”
Balta chuckled, low and happy. “I had to explain to Raul how we both wanted him, not just you, Joa. How I loved him, too.”
Raul’s cheeks went bright red, but the smile was so pleased, so happy. “He did. He did very well, Joa.”
“I can imagine. I want to watch, next time.”
“Listen to you!” Balta clapped his hands. “Soon,doce. Thelindoand I will have to be very creative until you can join us.”
“It won’t be long, right? I’ve already been walking.” He wanted to be well, now.
“Soon enough, Time will fly. Doc will keep you very busy for a bit.” Balta knew. Balta had done this with his riding arm, the poor muscles ripped and torn. Joa remembered that as if it was yesterday, how grumpy Balta had been.
Now it was his turn.
He closed his eyes again, the world spinning, nice and slow. He could hear Balta and Raul murmuring to each other, nothing urgent, so he let himself drift.
He was safe, settled, and soon he would be home.
