My True Cowboy by Shelley Galloway Read Free Book Online

like to actually have money to spend on clubs and parties.
    And to wonder how her life might have been different if Hank’s dad had decided to stay.

Chapter Four
    Sunday brought church and another hospital visit. As Cal held Ginny’s hand while she skipped down the hall, he prayed again for patience.
    Praying for patience was pretty much a constant thing now, though he wasn’t sure if anyone was actually listening to him. Lately, all he seemed to be doing was biting his tongue while everyone else gave him grief.
    Or told him their troubles. Or asked for more than he could give. Frankly, Cal had a feeling all his tolerance for the year had been used up sometime during the second week of January. From that point on, he’d been living on borrowed time.
    â€œWe’re almost there, Junior,” Ginny announced, skipping along by his side on her tippy-toes. “We’re almost at Daddy’s door.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œWhen I see him, I’m going to give him a big hug.”
    â€œYou know you can’t do that,” he warned. “He’s had surgery, remember?”
    â€œBut you said he was better!”
    â€œHis heart is, not his mood.” As Ginny struggled to digest that tidbit, Cal directed her over to the side of the hallway and knelt down on one knee. The last thing in the world he wanted was for Ginny to get her feelings hurt.
    And because their dad was in no condition to watch his mouth, Cal figured his little sister should be prepared for the worst. “Ginny, honey, I just want to warn you that Dad’s been in a bear of a mood. So, he might not be super happy to see us. You know what I mean?”
    â€œNo. He’s always happy to see me.”
    She had a point there. If anyone could make the old man be almost companionable, it was his little sister. “He will be happy to see you, but he might forget to act like it.” Or tell her, Cal added grimly. Actually, that was probably putting it kindly. In the years since Cal’s mother passed away, his father had gradually lost whatever town polish he’d slapped on when he got rich and spent time in Dallas.
    With every passing month, Cal Sr. seemed to care less about offending people and more about saying what was on his mind.
    And there was always a lot on Dad’s mind. Nowadays, he didn’t watch his tongue in the best of situations. And when Dad was really in a mood, well, all bets were off that anything kind and sweet would pass through his lips.
    Chances were good that this was one of those days.
    When they started walking again, Ginny slipped her hand in Cal’s. “Junior?” she said with a tug.
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œYou’re frowning. Aren’t you happy to see me, too?”
    Taking a knee again, he pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m always happy to see you. Always.”
    She wrapped her skinny arms around his neck and pressed her cheek against his neck, the way she always did. “And Jarred and Trent, too?”
    â€œOf course. Sugar, Dad loves you, too. He’s just a grump sometimes.”
    â€œA grumpy Gus.”
    â€œYep. Okay now, let’s go see how he’s doing,” he murmured when they finally got to their dad’s door.
    Slowly twisting the handle, he peeked in. “Dad?”
    Lying on the bed, looking beat-up and pissed off, Calvin Sr. glared his way. “I’m here. Where else would I be?”
    Cal matched his father’s glare with one of his own. “Ginny’s here with me. She wanted to come see you.” Cal made sure he put the emphasis on she, just so his dad would know that Cal’s patience was up and gone.
    Before he could give his father any additional warning glances, Ginny broke free from his hand and scampered in. “Hey, Daddy!” she hollered. Surely loud enough to wake the patients down the hall.
    Quickly Cal reached for her but was too late. “Gin—” he warned.