Promise Canyon (Virgin River #13)(61)

Colin's eye drifted shut slowly, then opened again. "I'm not being put out to pasture like you," Colin said, his words slow and thick. "First off, I'm not done. And second, I got no pretty little mama who thinks I'm a god waiting out in that pasture for me."

Luke chuckled. "Well, you manage to outdo me on everything else, so I imagine you'll find yourself some pretty little mama. Hard to come up with one better than Shelby, so your days of trying to beat me might just be over."

"I'm flying," he said.

"Whatever," Luke answered.

"Doctor say I'm gonna live?"

"And live pretty well--once you get better," Luke affirmed with a nod.

"Then you can leave. Nothin' for you to do here but watch me breathe."

"Y'know what? After what you just went through, watching you breathe is a mighty fine pastime. But listening to you talk is wearing me out. Why don't you go back to sleep?"

Colin swallowed and then smacked his lips. "Water," he ordered.

"Ice chips," Luke replied, leaning over the bed to spoon a couple of small chips in his brother's mouth. "See? There's things I can do. I'll be your battle buddy."

Colin sucked the ice hard, then swallowed. "There's nurses for that," he said.

"You've been kind of a load for these nice nurses. They're gonna fly one in special--from Samoa. Big guy, long ponytail down his back, built like a refrigerator. You'll like him--he's sweet."

"Go. Away."

"Shut your eyes and pretend," Luke said.

"Isn't this bad enough? You think I need a Riordan family reunion, too?" Colin grumbled.

Luke leaned forward in the chair. "Where would you be if I was lying in some hospital bed under a pile of bandages?"

"Hopefully on a sandy beach with a big-breasted nymphomaniac."

Luke shook his head. "You're adorable, you know that?" He stood up and turned away.

"You leaving?" Colin called.

"I'm asking for more drugs for you. Or duct tape. Don't go anywhere."

Luke made his way slowly to the nursing station, but the real reason he had to turn away from Colin was because tears of relief had gathered in his eyes. It was so good to have him back; such a miracle to get a second chance with him.

All five Riordan brothers were close, some closer than others. Their connections weren't based on their ages or their common interests so much as quirks of personality. Luke was the oldest, Colin second in age. Maybe that explained why the two of them had always butted heads. They'd always been competitive. Or maybe it was just Colin--he was the most likely to remain aloof and out of touch with all of them. But like any Riordan, if there was a celebration like a wedding or an emergency call like an accident or illness, Colin would come through. He might be last to arrive, first to leave, likeliest to pick a fight--usually with Luke--but he'd come through.

If Luke strained his memory, it seemed they started to rub each other the wrong way about the time Sean, fourth born in eight years, came along. That was about the time Colin did the most despicable thing--he shot up about three inches taller than Luke and managed to keep that advantage all through life. Luke was a respectable six feet and nicely muscled, but Colin was a six-foot-three-inch giant with big arms and long legs. Then, if that wasn't enough of an insult, Colin made it his life's work to do just slightly better than Luke in school and at getting girls. And the icing on the cake--Colin followed Luke into the Army, got into the Warrant Officer program and flight school and, as one could predict, outscored his older brother. Not by a lot, but still.

Luke had always had an attitude because no matter how well he could do at anything, Colin could always do just a little better. And if he wasn't doing better, he was taller and more handsome.

Well, now Colin was broken and scarred. Luke was ashamed that it had taken this to feed his determination for a fresh start with Colin. They should be best friends--they had so much in common! Twenty years in the Army, both of them helicopter pilots, both very successful with the ladies.

Well, that was in the past for Luke, but happily so--no man could ask for more than the life he had with his young wife.

But it wasn't in the past for Colin yet. It wasn't necessarily over for him. The recovery ahead might be difficult, but he could get back in the Black Hawk. If his arms and legs worked, why not?

Luke faced a very nice, very patient nurse. "Any chance my brother can start having some water? Or something?"

"Not too much longer, Mr. Riordan. That's something we really don't want to rush--not with the anesthesia and pain meds. He's actually going to have his first meal pretty soon. Jell-O and broth."

Luke grinned because the devil inside him was feeling slightly vindicated by Colin's comeuppance. Not the injuries--he'd never smile about that. But Jell-O and broth? Sweet. Really, Colin had come in first for a long time. "He's gonna love that."

The nurse just shook her head and smiled. "Oh, you kids," she said.

He went back to his brother. "Guess what, pal. You're going to get dinner."

"I hope it's a steak and beer with a shot."

"It's Jell-O and broth," Luke said. "Want me to request beef broth or are you okay with the chicken?"