My True Cowboy by Shelley Galloway Read Free Book Online Page A

“Watch—”
    She either didn’t hear or didn’t care to abide his warning, because she was flying toward the bed like a bullet.
    Ready to jump and cause a heap of trouble….
    â€œStop!” Calvin called out, his face full of alarm.
    Ginny skidded to a stop. “Daddy?”
    â€œYou settle down, girl. You’re in the hospital, not the circus. You hear me?”
    â€œYes, sir,” she said meekly, then turned Cal’s way.
    As he saw her bottom lip begin to quiver, he took two steps forward and reached for her hand again. “Remember how I said Daddy’s had surgery?” he murmured as their father continued to scowl. “You’ve got to move a whole lot slower in here. You could have hurt him.”
    Turning back to their dad, Ginny started moving in slow motion. “Is this better, Daddy?”
    She looked ridiculous. But instead of smiling Ginny’s way, their dad glowered at him. “Why did you bring her?”
    Ginny stopped again. Cal placed a reassuring hand onher shoulder. “I brought her because she wanted to see you. Though, with the way you’re acting, I don’t know why.”
    Twin spots of color appeared on their father’s cheeks.
    When they were stopped in front of his bed, Ginny let go of Cal’s hand and placed both of hers on the bars surrounding the hospital bed. “You don’t look good, Daddy.”
    â€œThanks. I don’t feel good.”
    â€œCal says you’re grumpy ’cause you don’t like people messing with your heart, on account it don’t work too well. What was wrong with the old one?”
    â€œI smoked and ate too much.”
    Ginny paused a bit, digesting that bit of news. Then she rose on her tiptoes and stared at his chest. “Do you have a scar?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œIs it big?”
    â€œIt is.”
    She leaned forward, turning her head slightly so her eye was peeking out through the bars on the side of the bed. “Can I see it?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Slowly, their father raised his eyes to Cal’s and sighed. “You can’t see it because it’s all bandaged up.”
    â€œBut you’ll be all better soon?”
    To Cal’s relief, their father chuckled. “I think so, darlin’.”
    After a moment, Ginny rearranged herself in front of the metal bars again. Now, as she peered at her daddy through the openings, Cal imagined she looked like a prisoner in a jail cell. “So, are you happy to see me now?”
    Cal held his breath. There was no telling what his dad was going to say to that. His father was in extreme pain, and possibly loopy from medication, too. Mentally, hecursed himself. He should have known better than to bring his little sister in. All this was going to do was aggravate their father and cause Ginny unnecessary grief.
    And then he, of course, was going to have to deal with it.
    But then, in the blink of an eye, Cal watched his father’s whole disposition change yet again. Gone was the pissed-off expression, the frown between his salt-and-pepper brows. In its place was the kind of sweet, special smile Cal only saw when his father worked with his prized gelding, Vixen, or talked with Ginny. “Of course I am. You never fail to brighten my day.” Reaching out, he tapped her knuckles. “Whatcha been doing? Have you been a good girl?”
    â€œI’ve been helping Cal around the house. I’ve been helping Gwen, too. We made Rice Krispie treats.” She swiveled her head and looked up at him. “I’ve been real good, right?”
    Cal nodded slowly. “Pretty good.”
    â€œHow many fights?”
    Ginny stuck up her finger. “Only one this week, and the playground aide didn’t even look that upset about it.”
    Cal pressed his hands on Ginny’s shoulders. “Ginny’s only gotten four time-outs this week, too.”
    Their dad’s eyes lit