“I kinda suck at this,” she smiled. She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, “Old ladies are supposed to be able to handle this stuff. They’re supposed to be tough… I’m not so tough.”
“You’re wrong about that, Henley. You’re one of the strongest people I know. Stubborn as hell. You’ll get through this just fine.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and said, “Why don’t we go to the kitchen and grab a bite to eat? I’m sure we’ll hear something from them soon.”
“Okay,” she answered. “Can we make pancakes and bacon? I’m craving bacon.”
“Bacon it is,” I laughed. “Just give me a minute to run to my room and change.”
After I changed clothes, I found Henley in the kitchen, where she’d already started mixing the pancakes. We spent the next hour cooking enough breakfast to feed an army, and just when I was about to put everything on the table, Clutch walked in with Hoss, Cotton’s youngest brother. Neither of them spoke as they filled their plates, and with the tension in the room bearing down on us, we all ate in silence. It was brutal, and when I couldn’t stand it a moment longer, I got up and walked out the back door. Boozer was there, talking to Smokey, and didn’t notice I’d come out. I tried to just ignore them, but when I heard Boozer say Cotton’s name, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop.
His voice was rattled and filled with concern as he explained, “He’s pretty bad off. Guardrail said the doctors don’t know if they can remove the bullet.”
I felt like someone had stolen my last breath. I was completely stunned and couldn’t make a coherent thought as I heard Smokey say, “He’s the Prez, man. He’s strong. Nothing’s gonna keep him down. Not even a fucking bullet in the back.”
“Smokey,” I whispered as I fought back my tears. “What happened?”
“Shit, Cass,” he answered, shaking his head with regret. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“Well, I did. Is he still in Anchorage? Which hospital?” I asked. I had to get to him, one way or the other.
“I wish I could tell you, Cass, but you know I can’t.”
“Just nut up and tell me, Smokey!” I demanded. When he didn’t immediately answer, I turned and headed back inside, slamming the door behind me. Guardrail was my only hope of finding out what was going on and where Cotton was. I found him working in Cotton’s office.
He knew why I was there as soon as he spotted me in the doorway and said, “I don’t know anything yet.”
“Is he still in Anchorage?” I asked.
“Yes, at the county hospital,” he answered. “But, Cass. He’s sending Stitch home. Doesn’t want anyone there but Maverick.”
“But…” I started.
“Cass,” he warned. “Just let it go. He wants you here.”
I heard the words he was saying, but I wasn’t listening. I’d already decided I was going to him, no matter what anyone said. “Okay,” I answered. “Just please let me know if you hear anything.”
“I will. And don’t worry. He’s going to be okay,” he tried to assure me, but I could hear the doubt in his voice, and it damn near broke my heart.
It was late. The bar was completely empty except for Cass and me. The party had finally fizzled out, and the only sound that could be heard was the low rumble of a song playing on the jukebox. Cass stood by the doorway, looking sexy as hell as she waited for me to come to her. Even from across the room, I could see that spark in her eyes shining brightly, making me want her even more. There was no better feeling than seeing that look and knowing it was just for me. I walked over to her, and when I lifted her into my arms, her legs instinctively wrapped around my waist.
“You’ve been playing your tricks again tonight,” I warned as I carried her down the hall.
Smiling innocently, she asked, “What tricks? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I kicked the door shut behind us and continued to carry her inside my room, only stopping when her back was pressed against the back wall.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You know what this skirt does to me, woman. I can’t take my eyes off of you whenever you wear it, and neither can anyone else,” I growled.
“Oh, is that right?” she teased. Then she leaned closer, and just inches from my ear, she whispered, “Well… I may or may not be wearing panties under this favorite little skirt of yours.”
“Fuck.” Just the thought of her not wearing anything under that skirt made me come unglued. I immediately slipped my hands under her skirt and was relieved to find she was in fact wearing underwear. I looked up at her, only to find a devilish grin on her face.
“I said, may or may not… geez,” she laughed.
“That’s how you get yourself in trouble.”