Page 32 of Set It Right
Chapter Thirteen
Cormac
Bythetimetheplates hit the table at Joy’s Elbow Room, Caleb, Remi, and I had already covered ranch logistics, Remi’s latest photography project, and Jesse’s upcoming summer camp. Caleb and I had dinners like this regularly—though less often since he’d gotten married and had another kid—with Remi or Deke tagging along when they could.
Caleb had barely touched his burger when he finally wiped his mouth with his napkin and said, almost as an afterthought, “Oh. Forgot to mention, Des is walking now.”
I froze, then slowly set my burger down. Remi and I exchanged a look before I barked out a laugh. My brother was an enigma. I’d looked up to him all my life, but there were times—like now—I wasn’t sure I’d ever fully understand how his brain worked.
He and Alice had been worried Desmond wasn’t walking yet at almost eighteen months. So worried they’d had him evaluated and were gearing up to start therapy.
“You waited until we were half done with our dinner to drop that news?”
Caleb shrugged. “I told you. Does the timing matter?”
Remi slapped him on the shoulder. “Big news, man. We wanna celebrate with you.”
“How long’s he been walking?” I asked.
Caleb dipped a french fry in ketchup. “Kid got up on his own about a week ago. Saw Jesse playing with his favorite toy, got mad, and decided to do something about it. He waddled across the living room to take it back, and once he saw he could get things done faster walking than crawling, he’s been a stumbling, upright little beast ever since.”
I blinked at him. “A week? He’s been walking a week?”
Remi chuckled under his breath. “A week. Makes sense.”
Caleb pulled out his phone, swiped on it with his thumb, and turned it to face us. A video of my nephew started playing, arms raised above his head, sending up a battle cry as he hauled his chunky little body across the living room to get to a laughing Jesse. Jesse caught him and hugged him tight until Desmond wiggled and demanded to be let down so he could stagger around like a tiny, angry drunk.
I grinned at the screen. “That might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m mad you’ve delayed me from seeing this in person, though.”
Caleb took his phone back, tucking it away. “I figured I’d give him some time to get steady before the hordes descend. Wasn’t sure he was ready for an audience.”
Remi leaned back in his chair, draping an arm over the back. “Please tell me your parents know.”
Caleb lowered his chin, giving him a long look. “Alice called them five minutes after she stopped sobbing.”
“And they came right over?” Remi asked, though we both already knew the answer.
“They did.” Caleb’s mouth twitched. “Good thing Des is used to being stared at by a throng of tall people. Kid took it in stride. I think he was curious why everyone was crying, though.”
“To be fair, it’s a big deal,” I said.
Caleb nodded. “It’s a big deal, yeah. I’m relieved my wife can put away her worries. I didn’t like what it was doing to her when I had no way of fixing it.”
Remi smiled knowingly. “Ah, parenting. Put away one worry and another falls in its place.”
Caleb grunted. “Give me some time to feel good about where we are.”
Remi patted his shoulder again. “Feel good, Cay. You’ve got two healthy, happy boys and a beautiful wife.”
“And two parents who cry tears of joy when their grandkids do something miraculous like walking,” I added.
“Yeah,” Caleb agreed. “I’ve got it pretty damn good, don’t I?”
I reached for my beer, still smiling as I replayed the video of my nephew in my mind, when a loud burst of laughter cut through the din of conversation.
I turned, taking a closer look at the group I’d vaguely noticed in the back near the darts. A few tables covered in pitchers of beer and shot glasses had been pushed together, and gathered around were faces I recognized. I didn’t know all their names, but I spotted Javier talking with a woman who was a guide at the ranch.
Something deep in my stomach shifted as I scanned the rest of the group. Another raucous laugh drew my attention farther back, to a massive blond man who looked more like a Viking than a cowboy. He swayed like a ship in a storm, his cheeks ruddy and eyes like glass.
