Page 146 of For Cowgirls and Kings

“What does Valentina think of all this?” I hiss, pushing on my door to make him step back.

His eyes shoot to mine, full of sorrow and rage, and then he puts the pack back in his pocket with a huff. “It’s not what you think, not that it’s any of your business. And Valentina doesn’t think anything of this, not right now anyway. She doesn’t think much of anything. I’ve never seen her so down—but you had to know that this would happen. She’s safe, I made sure of it. But she’s not okay. I don’t know if she ever will be.”

I close the truck door, my own sorrow flooding through me at the thought of my sister suffering. “She’ll be okay. She’s a lot stronger than anyone I know.”

And then I walk away.What else is there to say?

“I can’t believe you threatened a nurse,” Faith huffs, staring at Gus whose eyes have never once wavered from Stetson, and the small bundle in her arms.

“I can. It’s a wonder he didn’t pull a gun on her,” I counter, leaning against the wall.

“Don’t encourage him.” Stetson sighs, shooting me a small, exhausted smile. Her hair clings to the sides of her face, which is red and puffy, large bags under her eyes. Regardless of her disheveled appearance, you’d be blind not to see how beautiful she is—how strong she is.

Women are incredible beings.

“Did you guys have a name picked out?” Dale asks, hervoice strained with emotion. I grab her hand, rubbing small circles over her knuckles in reassurance.

Stetson’s eyes fall to the movement, and smiles wider. “I wanted Wesley if it was a boy. But since it’s a girl—” She turns to look at Gus, who looks like he might either explode or burst into tears, and I wish I could hug him—he’d cut my balls off if I tried and I’m rather fond of them at this point.

“Poppy Marie Dobbs,” Gus states, his eyes softening as he reaches out a hesitant hand toward her’s still wrapped in a pink swaddle.

“Poppy?” Dale croaks, and I squeeze her hand.

“What’s the significance?” I ask. Gus’s gaze lifts to mine, filled with pure annoyance and my smile falters.

“You guys ever do anything besides fucking?” he growls.

“Gus!” Stetson hisses, rolling her eyes. “It was my mother’s name, but more than that, it’s a special flower for Gus and I. I’m sure it just never came up. Why would it?” She pins Gus with a glare and his gaze finds hers once more.

“Sorry, shit. I need to stop cussing or Poppy’s first word will be fuck.”

“Off to a good start,” I deadpan, and Dale giggles beside me.

“You guys seem happy,” Stetson states, sitting up straighter. Gus instantly stands, helping to rearrange her pillow, and stable baby Poppy as Stetson moves. I can see the irritation flicker across her face, but as she exhales it disappears.

He is a nervous nelly.

“It’s gross really,” Dale says in a gravelly voice, and everyone in the room laughs in unison—except for Gus. He’s too busy watching Poppy’s breathing.

“Thanks for sending her out there today. I should have done it sooner I was just?—”

“A pussy,” Stetson huffs.

“I’m just so glad. And don’t think you’re a pussy. I thinkyou’re a romantic.” Faith sighs, bumping her shoulder into Dale’s.

“Romantic for sure. But definitely a pussy,” Dale concurs, nodding.

“Fuck, everyone stop saying pussy or Poppy’s first word is going to be pussy,” Gus growls.

“Dude, you’re going to explode if you don’t breathe soon,” I counter, and more than one head nods in agreement.

“Why is he here again?” Gus huffs, leaning back for the first time since we’ve walked into the room.

“Because Dale and him are in love? And we like him too?” Stetson says.

“We tolerate him,” Gus corrects.

“I think you might love him,” Dale counters. Gus shoots her a menacing glare, but she only smiles wider.