Oh, his two-year-old baby girl had her five brothers twisted around her chubby little fingers. All she had to do was bat those big blue eyes, flash her dimpled smile, toss those black ringlet curls or stomp her foot and her protectors came running.
When Carolyn said, “Listen up,” Carson refocused.
Carolyn picked Keely up and propped her on a hip. “You boys will bathe when I’m gone.”
“Aw man, do we have to?” Colt complained.
“Yes. And dunking each other in the stock tank doesn’t count.”
Colby nudged Cord. Cord shoved him back, knocking him into Colt and Cam.
“Boys,” Carson said sharply. “Quit horsin’ around and listen to your mother.”
“You will be respectful to each other, to the house, and most importantly you will help your father with whatever he needs.”
“Hey, wait. Who’s cookin’ for us?” Colby asked suspiciously.
“Dad is,” Cord said with a snicker.
“Dad?” Colt looked horrified. “But he don’t know how to cook nothin’.”
“There’s plenty of sandwich fixings and meals in the freezer.”
“And cookies?” Cam asked hopefully.
“Yes, cookies, but just like when I’m home, cookies only after chores are done.”
“Mama, do I have chores?” Carter asked.
“Yes. You’ll be in charge of feeding the dogs. Have your brothers show you what to do.” Carolyn looked over at Carson and he tapped his watch. She nodded and kissed the top of Keely’s head before she set her down. “Now, come and give me hugs.”
They swarmed her. Then they shouted goodbye and raced inside, Cord bringing up the rear after he’d scooped Keely up and carried her into the house.
She stared at the closed door for several long moments before she walked over to him.
Carson pulled her into his arms. “Sorry about your Aunt Hulda, sugar.”
“Thanks. I’m sure it’ll hit me that she’s really gone when Kimi and I are dividing up her belongings.”
“You think you can get it all done in five days?”
“Aunt Hulda was very organized. Everything is in a storage facility, boxed and labeled where it’s supposed to go. Kimi and I just have to contact the recipients. And meet with the lawyer to hear her will.” Her shoulders shook and a sob escaped.
He rubbed circles on her back and rested his chin on her head, feeling so helpless and wanting to make her sadness disappear.
She tilted her head back and looked at him. “Sorry to be blubbering on you.”
“I don’t like wearin’ your tears unless they’re happy ones, but you’ve a right to your grief. I know she meant a lot to you.” He curled his hands around her face and wiped away her tears.
“It’ll be good for Kimi and me to be able to talk about her on the drive.”
“Are any of your brothers goin’ to the funeral?”
“No. That makes me sad because she’s the only family we ever had besides each other.”
“I know how that goes. My dad was my grandparents’ only child to survive to adulthood. My mom’s entire family got wiped out in the flu epidemic and she ended up an orphan. It’s good you had your aunt as long as you did.”
“You are such a sweet man.” She pressed her mouth to his. “I’ll miss you.” Another couple of soft kisses. “So, so much.”
“Don’t know how I’m gonna function with my heart gone,” he murmured gruffly against her mouth. “I love you, Caro.”
“I know. You reminded me of that very thoroughly last night.”
He grinned. “And I’ll remind you again the night you get home.”
“Counting down the days, cowboy.” She stepped back and looked at the house. “I’ve never been away from the kids this long.”
“I’m sure they’re already missin’ you.”
“You’ll be okay with them.”
A statement, not a question. Was she trying to convince herself? Or him?
“I’ll be fine. Keely’s outta diapers, so it’s all good.”
Carolyn poked him in the chest. “I still don’t know how you managed to get away without changing a single diaper after fifteen years of parenthood and six kids, Carson McKay.”
Very careful and artful dodging if he did say so himself. “Drive safe. Call me when you get to the motel.”
“I will.” She paused. “I left lists on the refrigerator.”
He didn’t need lists. Wasn’t like he was a stranger or just babysitting. These were his kids; he’d been around them every day of their lives. He knew how to take care of them.
“Go. I got this covered.”
The first day? No problem. Carson dragged all the kids along in the feed truck when he did the late afternoon cattle check. They had sandwiches for supper. He figured it’d be hard to screw up sandwiches until he realized he had to make seven different kinds because none of them liked them fixed the same way. They also dusted two bags of potato chips and two dozen cookies.
After supper they watched TV. He let the you have to bathe rule slide tonight. His sweet Keely even curled up in his lap and fell asleep. Ten o’clock rolled around and the boys went to bed without arguing.
Piece of cake.
At two in the morning, someone shook him awake. He squinted at his oldest son. “Cord? What’s goin’ on?”