The Country Duet(80)

“Want a free tank of gas?” I ask Mom with a sly grin on my face.

“What?” She throws the last bag of food in the back of my truck.

“Dave wants me to use up that old gas in the tank over there.” I point to it. “It’ll make your GMC run hot.”

I get a slug in the shoulder for that one. But before heading back to town, I fill up my truck while telling the engine I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to use half a tank of Dave’s shit, then mix it with gas station fuel. So far, no harm no foul.

Mom follows me back to Teale’s place where the girls are hanging out with Baker. Just like they took to Teale, they did the same exact thing with Baker. Abby loves playing with younger children since she’s the baby of the family. Quinn and Teale had an immediate connection when she visited Sweetwater Ranch.

Mom pulls in behind me at Teale’s house, and I stop her before she walks through the front door by grabbing her forearm.

“I’m going to propose to Teale.” I pull the black velvet box from my pocket. “I have her Dad’s permission.”

I flip open the box to show her the rings. Yes, rings. I bought a tiny diamond ring for Baker as well. She will always be the most important part of Teale’s life, as she should be. It’s what I admire most about her. Teale would move mountains to give her daughter the world. It’s exactly what I want in a wife and the future mother to our children.

“Hunter.” Mom slaps her hand over her mouth, then tears begin to pool in her eyes. “When are you going to do it?”

“Honestly, I don’t know yet, but soon.”

I’m wrapped up in her arms and pulled to her chest.

“I’ve talked to Dad and want the wedding to be over spring break on Sweetwater.”

On cue, Mom shoves me back, giving me the mean mom stare. “Are you telling me that your Dad knew about this?”

“Yep.”

“How long?”

“A cowboy never turns on another.” I smile.

Baker saves my ass when the door flies open. “Hunter.”

She sprints toward me with thick layers of makeup covering her face.

“What is this?” I tap the tip of her nose.

“Abby knows how to do makeup. She watched YouTube.”

Oh, boy, her bright blue eye shadow and candy apple lipstick are a bit much. I lie about loving her makeup. I’m okay with lying about it to make Baker smile. Teale, Abby, and Baker decided to stay behind. We haven’t taken Baker to see Dave since he’s such a wild card and in terrible shape.

“Mom, did you take pictures of Dave’s place for Malerie?”

“Yes.”

I shake my head, climbing into my car. “Is she still set on writing Dave’s story?”

Mom snaps her seat belt, then peers over to me. “No, she wants to write you and Dave’s story.”

Malerie Wilson is a family friend, who is an indie author and one of my mom’s best friends. Her interest has been piqued ever since Mom divulged the first story of me going out to Dave’s place.

“I’m going to take discreet pictures of him to send her.” Quinn claps her hands together in the backseat.

“Simmer down, Samuel.” I look at her in the rearview mirror. “I’m going to warn you guys that Dave’s first comment is going to be about your looks.”

“Like what?” Quinn asks.

I roll my head from side to side, figuring out how to string the thoughts together. There’s no way in hell I’m going to lay it out straight to Mom and Quinn the way Dave more than likely will.

“He will make comments about your looks and figures. Hell, he might even try to set you up with me.”

“Eeewww.” Quinn covers her face.

“I’m just warning you.”

The nervous tension bounces off Mom as we walk into the nursing home. She’s heard everything about Dave and knows all my struggles. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous either, because who knows how Dave will react to her. Blair Yates is a beautiful woman, who is always decked out in designer clothes from head to toe. She turns heads, that's for sure.

Dave was transferred to a nursing home yesterday. It’s the third one he’s been to since I’ve been working for him. There’s only one more left in town for him to go to after this one. He’s refused to return to the priors, claiming they were assholes, and the cold truth is they probably wouldn’t accept his grumpy ass.

When we enter his new room, he’s sitting up in bed. His hair is combed and a smile is plastered on his face. His eyes light up when he sees us walk in. For the first time since I’ve been around him, Dave is left speechless.

“Dave, how are you this morning?” I step in next to Mom and Quinn.

“Doing good. Caught here in a new room.”

“Well, Dave, this is my mom, Blair Yates, and one of my annoying little sisters, Quinn.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies.”

Mom steps up to his bed and shakes his hand. Quinn follows suit, then we all sit around him and talk for an hour. Dave makes sure I’m burning up the gasoline and that I got the freezer cleaned. Quinn pretends to be busy texting on her phone, but I know she’s taking pictures to show Dad and for Malerie.

I’m blown away. Dave is on his best behavior, even when nurses come into his room to check on him. My heart swells with pride, knowing that this is the way Dave shows me the utmost respect. If mom or Quinn were any other women, he’d be all about their looks and harassing them about getting in their pants.