“Call me with any news,” Tyler said. “I’ll pass it along.”
“Thanks. Say a prayer for him.”
They all nodded and then organized their plans. Rob rode back to the ranch with Tyler to get his truck.
When Tyler let him off at the ranch, he went inside to turn a few lights on before climbing into his truck. He started the engine but didn’t move it right away, lost in thought.
Things would be complicated for several weeks. He would need to spend more time at the farm to cover for Jethro. He said another prayer for the tough old man who had burrowed his way into their hearts. Let him recover completely, Lord. He yawned and put his truck into gear. Tomorrow would be a long, hard day.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rob arrived at Jethro’s ranch just before seven the next morning, surprised to see lights on. A small, silver SUV with Georgia plates sat parked in front of the house. Catherine must have returned from the hospital.
He knocked as he entered, afraid he might scare her, but she greeted him in the kitchen. “Good morning, Rob.” She looked tired and worried.
“How’s your dad?”
She let out a sigh. “He made it through a triple bypass, and they put him in a room around four. He woke up briefly, but he was still pretty out of it. They suggested I come home and go back late morning. They’ll be able to tell more then. The surgeon said everything went well. He said Dad is in good health for his age.”
“Probably all the exercise he gets working around the ranch. I hope you know I’ll take care of everything while he’s recuperating. I don’t want either of you to worry about the ranch. He just needs to concentrate on getting better.”
“Thanks. They said something about sending Dad to cardiac rehab. They’ll keep him in the hospital several more days and then decide whether to put him into a rehab unit or send therapists to work with him at home.”
“Whatever you need me to do, I’ll help any way I can.”
She nodded and yawned.
“Why don’t you go get some rest? Text me if you need me.” He put his phone number into her contact list and went out to take care of the animals.
He hadn’t worked for Jethro for long, but he’d quickly slipped back into the routines of taking care of livestock and making sure buildings, equipment, and pastures stayed maintained. He noted some things that needed attention and jotted them down in his phone. If Jethro was up to it, he’d talk to him about what the priorities were. If not, he’d jump in and do whatever was needed. That’s what he’d want someone to do for him if the situation was reversed.
He stopped at the house around lunchtime and saw Catherine had left. He made himself a can of soup and a sandwich and considered what to work on this afternoon.
His cell rang with the ringtone he’d designated for Tyler. “Hey, man.”
“How’s Jethro doing?”
He explained what Catherine had told him. “I don’t expect they’ll know much for a few days, but she seemed encouraged. She’s back at the hospital now, I assume.”
“Well, if you need help with anything, give me a yell.”
“Thanks. It shouldn’t be a problem. Ranching is like riding a bike. You never forget how. It’s muscle memory, or rather, the memory of your muscles’ aches and pains.”
Tyler laughed. “Yeah. Don’t I know it! I’ll check in with you later. I’m going to head to the hospital this afternoon.”
“Maybe I’ll see you there.” He disconnected and then called MJ to check in. He explained what he’d learned about Jethro.
“God, I hope he does all right.”
“Me, too.” He explained his plans to stop at the hospital on the way home.
“That’s fine. I’ll take care of Maverick, so spend as much time there as you need.”
“Thanks. Jethro was right. You are a peach.”
She laughed, and he heard a smacking noise that sounded like a kiss. “Love you.”
“Back atcha,” he said, mimicking a kiss. “I’ll keep you posted.”
Rob spent the afternoon checking fences and gates on the pastures closest to the house. He’d forgotten that the farrier was coming to trim hooves on the four horses. Luckily, the horses allowed him to catch and halter them with little trouble, and the farrier, Clem Benson, worked quickly.
“What do we owe you?” he asked Clem.
“I’ll send an invoice. I expect y’all will have to figure out how the bills will get paid until Jethro’s back on his feet.”
“We’ll work it out. I can pay you today if you need me to.”
The man waved away the suggestion. Country people around here knew their neighbors wouldn’t stiff them. Not like what Dad went through. He remembered his dad’s stories about the lack of payment plans during hard times. It’s what had driven Dad out of ranching. Farming and ranching had become very money-conscious in some parts of the country.
Rob finished his chores and washed up in preparation for his stop at the hospital. Jethro sat propped against his pillows eating dinner when he arrived.
“You’re looking a lot better than you did yesterday,” he told his boss.
Jethro sniffed. “Thanks for what you and Tyler did. Not sure I would have made it without you being there.”
“You take care of yourself and get better. I’ve got the ranch under control.”
“Appreciate it.” Jethro tried to shift positions and groaned. “Damn, that hurts.”
Catherine hurried over to his side. “Dad, you need to relax and take it easy. Don’t try to move around too much. They’ll get you up in a little while to walk up and down the hall. Pace yourself.”
Jethro scowled at
