“Not with me, sport.”
“Oh, well. You can use Uncle G’s.”
“Probably better if I wait until I go home. Could you move away a little so I have room to get up?”
“Yep.” He settled on his heels, worry clouding his green eyes. “Are you going home now?”
“Not yet.”
He sighed in relief. “That’s good.”
Uh-oh. The kid’s distress about his inevitable departure was not good. Not good at all. Maybe having him stay in the barn all night wasn’t such a brilliant plan after all.
Sitting up slowly, he rolled his shoulders to work out the kinks. He hadn’t spent the night on a hard surface in years. He’d considered switching to the cot after Tex vacated it, but then he might have dozed off. He wasn’t about to do that when Tex was awake.
When he stood, Tex popped up like he was on springs. “We gots to turn out the herd.”
“Don’t you do that with your Uncle G?”
“But you’re a cowboy, too. We can?—”
“He’s the boss of this outfit. We should wait for him.”
“Okay.” Clearly not what he had in mind.
“While we wait, I’ll check on Speckles and Monty.” There, he’d used the foal’s name. Progress.
“Can I come in?”
“You sure can after I give them each a quick examination. Just hang out on your stool, please, and I’ll be done in a jiffy.” If the kid could get involved with his foal, that might ease his separation anxiety.
Fortunately mare and foal were doing great. During the night he’d been able to stealthily clean the stall, at least somewhat, and roll the wheelbarrow out the front door.
Speckles had remained calm through that process, which was a very good sign. He could safely leave them, knowing they didn’t need him to monitor their progress. Zinnia, Marigold and Graham could take it from here.
As for Tex, the adorable little boy who’d attached himself like a cocklebur….With luck he’d find such joy in having this foal to love that his neediness would gradually fade.
Just as he was ready to turn the stall over to Tex, the barn door opened. The rest of the family came in, Zinnia in the lead.
Right on schedule, his traitorous body reacted to the visual. What she did for a pair of Wranglers and a blue plaid shirt should be illegal. Adding to the impact, she’d left her hair loose and her curls bounced temptingly against her shoulders. No fair.
“Hey, there.” He called a husky greeting and cleared his throat. Maybe she’d think it was the early hour that put that rasp in his voice. “They’re in terrific shape.” Yeah, that phrase had popped right out. He barreled on. “Tex was just about to go in if anybody would like to join him.”
“I’ll let Mari go.” Zinnia glanced back at her sister. “Since you haven’t?—”
“Right, and I—oh, my goodness!” She peered into the stall and put a hand to her chest. “If he isn’t the most—” She broke off with a little sob and pulled a bandanna from her hip pocket. “Sorry. He’s just so….”
“We get it.” Zinnia wrapped an arm around her. “We were all bawling last night. Now it’s your turn.”
“Here’s a bucket, Auntie Mari.” Tex thrust one in her direction.
Laughter mingled with her tears. “Thanks, but I doubt I’ll throw up. I’m just crying happy tears.”
“You gots to sit on it.”
“I do?”
“You gots to sit and wait for Monty to kiss you.”
