They were grilling burgers outside when the phone rang, Tommy’s name popping up.
Jack frowned and shook his head. No. No, that wasn’t good. Not a bit. It was Friday night.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mother. It’s bad. It’s real bad. You need to come.”
“I’ll be there.” Jack didn’t even think; he just hung up the phone and started searching for flights to… fuck, where were they riding this weekend? “Kill the grill and pack a suitcase, darlin’. We got to go.”
“Who? What happened? Is it Mackey?” Hudson didn’t hesitate, just pulled the burgers off the grill and shut it down.
“Yeah. Tommy says it’s bad. They’re in Connecticut. I’ll get flights.” He called the airline and started bullying, even as he texted Angelica to tell her they were leaving.
“Shit.” Hudson hugged his shoulders. “I’ll deal with the food and pack us up. You just do… that.”
“I don’t know how long it’ll take or whether we’ll have to drive him home. He’s coming home, though.” He wasn’t going to even think about losing Mackey. Not for a second. “We need chargers and stuff.”
“Got it. God. Poor Sid.” Hudson gathered up the food, calling over his shoulder before he disappeared inside. “We’ll talk more on the way.”
“Yeah. Yeah, we’ll have a long damn travel night.” He got through to a person. “Hey, there. I need to get from the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado to Hartford. Now. It’s a medical emergency.”
By the time Hudson came downstairs with their duffels, Jack had gotten them flights, a hotel, and a rental car. The lady on the phone had been real nice and put it all together for him.
“Breathe, baby; it’s a long flight,” Hudson said.
“It is. We’ll get in around six a.m.. We’ll need to leave in half an hour.” He checked his shirt and made sure the washing machine was empty. Fuck him.
“Hey.” Hudson stepped in close and hugged him. “I love you.”
“I love you.” He held on a second, trying to breathe. “He’s going to be okay.”
“Of course he is, he’s a stubborn asshole and he’s tough a hell.” Hudson gave him a squeeze. “Horses are good?”
“They’ll be fine. They’ve been fed, and Angelica is coming in to feed in the morning.”
“Okay. Good.” Hudson looked around. “What else do we need to do? I’ve got chargers and clothes, jackets… even in the summer, it can get chilly in New England at night.” Hudson took a breath. “Fuck. Did you talk to Sid?”
“He’s working. I texted him and told him we were coming. I don’t know anything but that it’s bad.” He hadn’t dared ask questions. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
“Shit. They’re working.” Hudson shook his head. “Well, let’s get our asses to the airport. Maybe we can grab some food for the plane ride. I’ll text him too.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He grabbed his keys. “Thank you for being here with me.”
“It’s where I belong, baby.” Hudson picked up their bags. “And they’re my friends too now, so, they’re gonna be stuck with me.”
“You know it. We cowboys have to stick together.”
Hudson snorted, following him out to the truck. “I’m not a cowboy. I just can’t seem to stop hanging out with them.”
“Yeah, I know what I know. Let’s go.” He wasn’t a dumbass. He knew a cowboy when he loved one.
Hudson’s smile lifted them both up a little. “You want me to drive?”
“I do.” He headed for the passenger side. “Let’s ride.”
* * *
They managedto get to the hospital without dying or killing anyone, which was a blessing.