29. Clint
29
CLINT
C lint brushed a body brush down Pepperjack’s flank and used all of his efforts to keep his balance. The surgery had gone well, but a week on the couch was more than Clint could stand.
Thankfully, Hollis had given in to Clint’s pleading and let him spend the day at Price Quarter Horses. His friend had even come to pick him up since he still had weeks before he’d be released to drive.
Hollis peeked around Pepperjack’s head and eyed the bucket Clint was using to elevate his booted leg. “Don’t fall. I’m not in any position to pay for a premises liability claim.”
“Trust me, I’m moving slow enough that there’s no way I could fall. ”
Hollis didn’t seem assured. “Seriously.”
“Seriously, I’m going to throw this comb at you if you don’t leave me alone and let me groom Pepperjack,” Clint said, gesturing to the horse who was craning his neck to nudge Clint’s idle hands.
“Fine. Holler at me if you need anything.”
Pepperjack nudged Clint’s hat with his nose, tipping it off his head for the third time. Clint glared at the hat on the ground, then looked up at his friend. “I don’t need help. I’m a grown man.”
Hollis shook his head. “You sound like a little kid.”
“I can do it myself, boss,” Clint joked.
“I’m not paying you,” Hollis reminded him.
“Fine, but I actually need a ride home soon. Nora’s mom is coming over to meet her this afternoon, and she wants me to be there.”
Hollis’s eyes widened. “Her mom? That’s new.”
“Kinda. Kelly reached out a few weeks ago, and Nora finally decided she wanted to meet.”
“How are you expecting it to go?” Hollis asked.
Clint shrugged. “There’s no telling. I just hope Nora gets some peace after this.”
Hollis rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s tough. I’ll be praying for her.”
“Thanks. She’ll appreciate it.”
“On the subject of moms, any idea what I could get mine for Christmas? ”
“I don’t know. Mrs. Price is pretty awesome. It better be good,” Clint said.
Hollis huffed. “Thanks for the help.”
“Just saying. Don’t skimp on her gift. She had to put up with raising you and Will.”
Hollis kept his attention on the dirt ground. “And taking care of Dad isn’t easy.”
Hollis’s dad was suffering from cancer, and his health was declining by the day. Doctors weren’t giving him too many more weeks at this rate. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Clint asked.
“Just pray. I think we’re all coming to grips with it, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”
“What about a girls’ day? Would your mom take a few hours to go hang out with Nora, Mom, Caroline, and Alicia? Could you stay with your dad while she does that? It might mean more to her than a physical gift.”
Hollis nodded slowly. “Yeah. That sounds good. She definitely hasn’t been taking time for herself lately.”
“Good. I’ll tell the ladies. They’ll be excited to take your mom out.”
“Wait, what are you getting your mom?”
“A coffee mug that looks like a toilet.”
Hollis coughed. “What?”
“Yeah, she’ll love it. Mom has everything she could ever want, and gag gifts make her laugh.”
“What about Nora? ”
Clint grinned. “I have a big surprise for her.”
“Clint, I beg you not to do anything to screw this up.”
“I’m not screwing it up! It’s really the gift to top all gifts. She’s going to love it.”
Hollis eyed Clint, clearly unsure if he trusted him not to mess up the good thing he had going. “I fear for your future wife.”
Clint puffed out his chest. “My wife will be incredibly happy. Starting with this awesome gift Nora is getting for Christmas.”
Clint’s phone rang in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see Nora’s name on the screen.
“Hello, angel.”
“Hey. Kelly just called and said she’s on her way. She’ll be here in half an hour.”
Shoot. That didn’t give him time to get back to the ranch and get cleaned up. “Okay, I’ll tell Hollis we need to leave right now.”
“Thanks. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous. I’ll be right beside you no matter what.”
Nora sighed. “You’re the best.”
“I’ll remind you of that the next time we have an argument.”
“We haven’t had any arguments,” Nora pointed out.
“Oh, I’m sure we will. I’m bound to mess up a time or two. ”
“Just get over here so I can breathe for a few minutes before she shows up,” Nora said.
“Yes, my love.”
Nora might be worried, but Clint wasn’t. Whatever happened with Nora’s mom, it wouldn’t change how much he loved her.