Page 77 of Colton’s Inferno

“What was that?” she asked, pointing to his hand. “Was that just a reflex?”

“I think your grandfather’s trying to come back to us,” said Aiden. “Talk to him again.”

“Grandpa,” she said. Her tone was stern. “You need to wake up so I can get back to the ranch. I need to bring the cattle down from the summer pasture.”

His eyes opened.

Lucy kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy to see you. You had me so worried.”

Rusty’s eyes closed again. His head lolled to the side.

“What’s going on?” Panic reached into her chest and gripped her heart with sharp claws. “Is he okay?”

“That’s to be expected,” said Dr. Colton. “He’s been on a sedative for days, and it’ll take time for everything to get out of his system. But for now, we know he can hear us and follow simple directions. Scratch that, he can hear Lucy and listens to what she has to say. He doesn’t care about me at all.”

“Thank you,” said Lucy. “For everything.”

“There’s still a long way for your grandfather to go. But this is a good first step.” He patted Aiden on the shoulder. “I’ll be back. Call me if anything changes.”

“Thanks, Dad. I will.” Once his father was gone, Aiden asked, “How are you going to get the cattle down from the summer pasture?”

At one time, Lucy had it all figured out. But now? “I don’t know.”

“You said it would only take a day with the right people. How long would it take with the wrong people?”

“I can read your mind from here.” She waved her hand above her head. “You have a thought bubble like in a comic book. But I can’t ask for your help. You’ve done so much already.”

“You aren’t asking,” he said. “I’m offering.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not? Because we aren’t that close? We’ve had sex twice.” He held up two fingers. “I’d hardly say that I’m a stranger.”

“Shhh,” she shushed. “Don’t say things like that in front of my grandfather.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re right.”

Lucy glanced at Rusty. His lips were moving. Was he trying to speak?

She leaned close, her ear just inches above his mouth. With a shake of her head, she dropped into the chair.

“I guess he wasn’t saying anything,” said Aiden. “Don’t worry. He will.”

“Oh no, Rusty was able to talk.”

Aiden’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really? What did he say?”

Lucy had definitely been backed into a corner. “He told me,” she said, “to let you help.”

Chapter 20

Monday, September 12 5:49 p.m.

Lucy sat behind the wheel of Grandpa Rusty’s car and turned onto the country route that connected the Five Steers Ranch to Red Grove. As she drove, she thought about the past week. Her life had taken on a new rhythm.

She’d been staying with Aiden at his apartment. In the morning, she rose and made breakfast for the two of them. While drinking her second cup of coffee, she stood at the window and watched as the college students caught the campus bus for their 8:00 a.m. class.

Then, she went to the hospital to see her grandfather. Every day he was a little stronger and a full recovery seemed more certain. Because of his accident, Lucy had called both of her parents and all her uncles. To be honest, she was happy to connect with everyone. But she also understood that each of them had to leave the Five Steers Ranch behind.