Back Country (The Country Duet #2)(42)

I cock an eyebrow in question.

“Your mom and the girls will be taking Baker for a week and a half when we move to the ranch for the summer, and we are going to Yellowstone.”

“Yellowstone?” I ask.

“Boning in a cabin, surrounded by bears and other wildlife? Utterly romantic.”

“Say boning again.” I kiss her cheek, trailing my lips down the length of her neck.

“Boning. I’m going to let my husband bone me all day, every day, on our honeymoon.” She reaches down between us and cups my hard dick. “Speaking of boners, Mr. Yates.”

I laugh against her skin. “Rock hard wanker.”

“Your Action Jackson is eager to play.”

“The Giving Tree feels gracious tonight.”

“Your Thrill Drill is exciting me.”

That makes me erupt out in a full belly laugh, throwing my head back and all. “You got me there, baby.”

“Oh, and I’m bringing Draw a Dick on It on the honeymoon. I have a feeling you need to brush up on your dick drawing skills.”

Just like that, Teale makes the worries of the world seem so much lighter. Not one single day has gone by that I’ve regretted my decision diving headfirst back into our relationship. She’s my soul’s other half that keeps me grounded and focused. We waltz, hand in hand, back into the dance studio to watch our little girl shine.





23





Hunter





“You don’t know it yet but, I ain’t gonna be that easy to leave.” –Sam Hunt





“You are not going to be sticking me with a fucking needle three times a day.”

“Mr. Hendricks.” The doctor takes a formal stance with him. “It’s crucial to monitor your health. We are at a point where the diabetes is killing you from the inside out.”

“I’m so tired of you fuckers pricking me. I’ve had enough of this shit.” Dave lies back in his bed, mirroring his defeated stance.

“We can insert a hemlock that would avoid poking you every single time. However, there’s some upkeep with them and the possibility of it having to be changed out.”

Dave glares down the doctor, then looks to me. I give a slight nod of my head, letting him know he needs to comply with the doctor.

“Fine,” Dave finally grumbles.

“Now to the hard part.” The doctor sits on the edge of the bed. “To control your diabetes and the complication with the gangrene in your body, we need to amputate from the hips down on both legs.”

Dave’s eyes flash wide. “No way in hell. I’m done.”

“There are no other options.”

“I’m ready to die. I’m not going through that.”

I clear my throat. “There has to be another option.”

The doctor stands with gloom on his features. “A morphine drip to control the pain while you die.”

His words are harsh and to the point. The message received. I scrub my face, knowing there’s no subtle way the doctor could’ve told Dave. I know that Dave isn’t going to look to me for confirmation. He’s making the decision for himself, it’s what he wants and is ready for. The only choice I have is to stand by him and be his friend.

“No amputation,” Dave growls.

The doctor nods and exits the room. I thought Dave had experienced lows before, but they were nothing like this. I hold out a bag of licorice, and he never grabs it, so I lay it on his bed next to him.

“I’ll be here every single day until summer break, Dave.”

“Then you’ll leave me like everybody else.” He never makes eye contact with me.

“My dad is counting on me and needs my help on the ranch. I’ll come visit as much as I can.”

“Just leave, Hunter.”

“Dave, there’s no way in hell you have the right to kick me out of your life right now. I’m not leaving you. We’ll talk daily, and I’ll come visit, no matter how big of a dickhead you want to be.”

He turns to me with tears filling his eyes. “I just can’t go through anymore. I’m going to die, it’s time. I’ve lost a lot in my life, but my legs aren’t going.”

“That’s fine, and your choice. I stand by you no matter what.” I grab the top of his hand. “But you don’t get to kick me out of your life.”

There’s a light knock at the door to his room in the nursing home. “Mr. Hendricks, I’m here to help you get out of that gown and into your shirt and sweatpants.”

He doesn’t say a word, and the nurse has tits and looks for days. It’s not that I’m looking because I’m a happily married man, but just know what to expect from Dave. But he remains silent. She helps him get his legs over the bed. Then it takes every ounce of her strength to pull him up into a standing position.

I keep my hands tucked in my pockets and remain put. Dave gets agitated if I try to help him anymore. Hell, I used to carry the man around his farm with no problem. He’s keeping his one ounce of pride tucked close to his heart, refusing to let go of it.

Once he’s settled back in bed with his favorite blanket covering him, he grins at me. The bastard grins.

“I can do shit on my own, Hunter. It’s nonsense they want to take my legs.”