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

right up in amusement, though Cal could see he was trying hard to be serious. “Virginia Ann, you’re more trouble than all three of your brothers combined! What am I ever going to do with you?”
    She looked down at her feet. “I don’t know.”
    â€œCome now. What do I always say?”
    Slowly, she looked up at her dad. “Love me a lot?”
    Calvin’s smiled widened, but Cal noticed that it also looked strained. “That’s a fact. When I get home, we’ll have to watch TV together.”
    â€œOkay. The Biggest Loser ’s on again.” She and her daddy were reality-show junkies.
    â€œWhat about Survivor? ”
    â€œI’m not sure. Cal hasn’t let me watch it since that man took off all his clothes and that boy and girl started kissing in the dark.”
    â€œIt really wasn’t appropriate for a six-year-old, Dad.”
    â€œGood TV, though,” his dad remarked. “But, uh, probably not so good for little girls. Your brother’s just lookin’ out for you.”
    â€œBut you’ll watch TV with me soon?”
    â€œOf course, sweetheart. It’s a date.”
    Ginny leaned closer, eyeing the IV tube. “Does that hurt?”
    â€œNah.”
    â€œJust your heart?”
    â€œJust my heart. And my ribs.”
    â€œPoor Daddy.” Ever so slowly, one by one, her fingers loosened on the bed rail and she thrust her hand through. “I’ve missed you.”
    â€œI’ve missed my little girl, too.” He reached out a hand. “Come here, pumpkin. Come hold my hand for a sec.”
    She did as he asked, her tentative expression morphing into a full-blown grin as she stepped closer.
    Cal took the empty seat and let the two of them have their time together. In a way that he’d never done with his boys, Calvin Sr. asked Ginny a dozen questions and listened intently to each answer. Within five minutes, he’d heard all about school and her dolls and even got an update on Spot—the puppy Jarred’s girlfriend, Serena, had brought home. “You’re not letting that dog chew up my slippers, are you?”
    Ginny’s little mouth formed a circle. “Oh, no, sir.”
    â€œThat’s good.” He yawned. “I’m getting tired now andyou need to get out of this hospital. There’s sick people everywhere. Before you know it, they’re going to make you sick, too. Now, is your brother going to take you to lunch? Because I think visiting folks here should at least earn you a meal.”
    Cal stood up. “I am. We’re going to go get shakes and burgers at the Sonic, aren’t we?”
    â€œAnd go to Shop-N-Go. Cal said maybe I could get some new crayons.”
    â€œIf you do, will you draw me a picture?”
    Ginny’s face lit up as if her daddy had just given her the sun and the moon. “Uh-huh. I’ll bring it next time.”
    â€œI’ll look forward to it.”
    Their dad looked to be fading fast, so Cal cleared his throat. “It’s time, sugar.”
    â€œBye, baby,” Dad said.
    Ginny blew him a kiss, then trotted back over to Cal. “I’m ready now.” She peeked out the door, then turned back to Cal. “The nurses’ station has suckers. Can I go get me one?”
    â€œYou may.”
    When they were alone, his dad looked like the grumpy old man that he was once again. With a ragged sigh, he leaned back into the pillows and closed his eyes. “That girl. She’s everything and a day, ain’t she?”
    Cal smiled. “Yes, sir.”
    â€œReally only four time-outs?”
    â€œThat’s all I’ve heard from her teacher.” Cal shrugged. “’Course, the year’s just starting. Ginny might be starting off slow. You know…breaking her teacher in slowly.”
    His dad looked as if he was trying to look perturbed, but his eyes were glowing. “Maybe I should’ve told her no more