Back Country (The Country Duet #2)(41)

We don’t discuss it on the way to the dance recital. Baker has been non-stop about her performance. She joined lessons late, but has caught up like a real champ. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Teale stroke the red petals on the roses I managed to sneak into the truck for Baker.

She keeps a tight grip on my hand on the way to the dance studio. To say I’m shocked Dave was taken to the hospital and had more toes amputated would be understatement. Dad gave me a good long talk about balancing life once I married Teale and Baker became my daughter. I knew it would be hard, but in moments like this, it’s tearing me apart. I’m one man torn in a hundred different ways.

The squeals of Baker in the back seat keep me smiling for the time being. Teale has all of Baker’s hair piled high up on her head. I’m not crazy about the blush and lipstick, but Teale reassured me all the girls would be wearing the same.

I barely have the old truck in park, before Baker is tearing out of her booster seat and ready to run in. I manage to get out just in time, before she streaks across the parking lot. I hear the squeal of the tires then see the glittery flash of Baker’s tutu as she sprints toward the door.

I leap into action without thinking grabbing her around the waist just in the knick of time. The person driving the car slams on the brakes. When it stops, we are standing inches from the driver’s side door. They would’ve run her over, without a second thought, in the blink of an eye.

I pound on their window, my frustration boiling with a force I’m unable to control. I see an inferno of red, and am ready to punch the living shit out of the man in the driver’s seat. I’m not the fighting type, nor the kind to lose their temper very easy, but these last few weeks have not been easy on me.

I pass Baker’s trembling body to Teale who is standing behind me. Then pound on the window even harder, shocked the glass hasn’t shattered. The man slowly rolls down the window to the piece of shit car that nearly took Baker’s life.

“Motherfucker,” I hiss out with venom coating each sound.

“Sorry, man, I didn’t see her.”

I glance to the cell phone in his hand that’s not on the steering wheel, and it’s the final breaking point. “Get out of the car now.”

He shakes his head. “Man, said I’m real sorry.”

“Going to teach you a lesson about being sorry and speeding in a parking lot.”

“Baby.” Teale tugs on the belt loop of my Wranglers. “Don’t, we are going to be late. He’s not worth it.”

The love and tenderness in her voice is the balm quenching my rage. I force myself to step back and unclench my fists. The bastard is smart for driving off and not looking back.

“Daddy.” I look over to see Baker. “Yous okay?”

“Come here.” I hold my hands out to her. “Don’t ever do that again okay? You scared me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so excited.”

“I know, sweet girl.” I hold her tighter to my chest, thinking of the horrible outcome that could have been.

Teale squeezes her hand in mine, reassuring me and helping me calm down. Baker doesn’t look back as she races over to her dance instructor and is ushered behind the stage. My wife tugs me back out to the truck and presses my back against the cab. Her chest collides with mine, then her arms trap me in on either side.

“Cowboy, you’re about to break.”

I nod because she’s spot on. Between my gallbladder still giving me fits of pain and Dave’s daily battle to survive, I’m ready to wave the white surrender flag.

“What happened with Dave?”

“They took him to the hospital to have more amputations done on his foot.”

“Go to him.” She cups my cheek. “Dad is coming and can take us home. He needs you.”

“I know he does, but there’s no way in hell I’m missing this.”

“You’re running yourself into the ground, baby. You go to school full-time, work at the feedlot, take care of Dave, then come home and give us your all. Hunter, you are going to crash and burn, then what good will that do?”

“He’s dying.” I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the betrayal seep through my body. It’s the first time I’ve spoken those words out loud. “He makes it seems like everything is better than it is. His kidney is still failing, and he just wants to give up.”

“You’ve done everything you can. Not one other person would do what you do for him. Hold his hand, be there for him, and remember to breathe, because I kind of love you and don’t want to lose you.” Teale twirls the diamond ring on her finger.

“What did I do to deserve you?” I run my finger down the length of her nose.

“I ask myself that same question every single night, Hunter,” she replies.

“It happened fast, yeah?”

“I guess like Elvis said, only fools rush in.”

“And you’re my fool.” I lean down, brushing my lips along hers then seal them with a final kiss.

“Do you think your mom’s friend, Malerie, will write us in her book? We are a total hopeless romantic type of story, you know, the insta-love type?”

I smirk. “God, we need a proper honeymoon. The things I want to do to you for hours, instead of rushed minutes at night.”

“I have that covered.”