We all talk about a shopping trip sometime at the end of the week then my mind goes to my life again. Fear of change is happening again. Yes it’s exciting but change can be messy. Thinking make me fall asleep. “Terri, wake up.”

       I jump up. I don’t have my guns. I left them in the truck. “Oh shit.” Rub my face. “Sorry.”

       “No worries. Look at your nails.” A French manicure on my nails with a ruby heart on the wedding ring finger. My girl Pam put a sliver of silver coming out of the ruby underneath it. “You did amazing Pam.” I pull out a $50 for a tip for her. She was in shock. “You did an amazing job if I took a nap.” She thanks me then I give the other 5 people the same. I pay at the front for everyone then we load up. Flier and Trapper get us going. We follow them. “How was it everyone?”

       Sherry speaks up. “Amazing and thank you so much.”

       “No worries. Now we…” My phone rings. I answer. “Hello?”

       “Hey it’s Jill.”

       She is my dad’s best friend’s wife. She was my mom’s best friend. They traveled the world together all the time as well had businesses together. Butch and Jill have taken care of me and my siblings just like we are their own. “Hey, how are you?”

       “Um…Terri it’s Butch.”

       “Jill what’s wrong?”

       “He’s in the hospital. Had a heart attack last night.”

       “Shit.”

       “He is stable now. You need to get here. As well as your siblings.”

       “Anything else happening with him that could have triggered the heart attack?”

       “He is dying.”

       “He better not. We’re just pulling into the clubhouse and will grab my bag. I’ll be there in a few hours. Tell him he better not die on me.”

       “I ain’t dying yet.” Butch huffing in the background.

       “Butch, I swear.”

       Butch chuckles. “Darlin I’m okay. You know I love you right?” Deja vu is happening all over again.

       “I do and I love you too. Be the stubborn mule I know you are and keep fighting…please.” My eyes are welling up. “Just parked. Call y’all when I’m on the way.”

       “Be careful.” We hang up and everyone gets out. I take a deep breath, trying not to hyperventilate. Close my eyes and all the tears just fall. The door opens and Bull is there. “I am so sorry baby. He just called me. Let’s get you on the way.”

       “You can’t come with me?”

       “Not right now but maybe tonight.”

       I just nod then grab my phone and call my sister Rosemary. “Hey sis I just heard. I’m almost to you. I have Chuck with me. Sally and the kids are coming later.”

       “Bull said he can probably make it tonight too. Hold on. Gunner tell the gate my sister and brother are rolling up in a black SUV.”

       He nods as I hang up with Rosemary. Bull and I get upstairs to our room here in the clubhouse. Don’t really want to grab a bag that’s ready for vacation but I’ll fix it for a day or so at the hospital. I set it on the bed. I turn to see Bull. “I’m sorry babe. Butch just called me a bit ago. He told me if I did you dirty he would come after me.” I smirk. “He’s protective as I am.”

       I grab Bull’s cut. “I’m trusting you that the chicks here aren’t going to break us. You keep their grimy paws off you.” I sit down on the bed. “It’s happening again. Parents in the hospital.”

       Bull kneels down. A few tears fall down my face. “Baby this is a stressful time. I’ll be there hoping late tonight if not tomorrow. Skull needs some time to take over anyway.” He lifts my chin. “I need to be there for you. Just need to put a few things together. Now let’s get you to Butch. You call me when you get there and tell me how the old man is.”

       I grab his face. “I love you so much. Thank you for everything. I’m sorry about this morning with Chey and Ghost. Just everything is getting on top of me. Feel like I’m not the same woman I was before. Yes we’re going to be us away from here. It’s just me feeling like I’m in the hamster wheel again.”

       I stare into his eyes. He gets up and sits on the bed. He gets me to straddle his legs. “We’ve changed baby, especially from when we first met but not enough for us to not live our lives crazy and free. Let me either get in that wheel with you or let me pull you off of it. We are always in drama but thankfully it settled down until Butch had to go and have a heart attack. Old man needs to relax a bit.”

       “Good luck telling him that.”

       “I know baby. Stubborn just like someone else I know.”

       “You looking at me?”

       He nods as he smiles. “We all are sometimes. You more than anyone.”

       “I agree now but in my earlier years I would have fought you.”

       “See…stubborn.”

       “Whatever.”

       He chuckles. “When we go on vacation there is somewhere we have to stop on the way. A place that we both need.” I nod. “Know that I love you sexy old lady of mine. Not ready for you to leave, but if I know your sister she’s downstairs honking her horn.”

       “See where I get my patience from.”

       We both laugh then get up. He kisses me. “You’re mine baby.”

       “Forever and always.”

       He gives me one more kiss then grabs my bag. I grab my valise then we get downstairs. The main room is getting decorated for Cheyenne. There are streamers that are blue and pink. I look at Chey. She is serious. “You knew our news would get around. I hope Butch is okay. Please let us know.” I nod. She gives me a big hug. “Love you.”

       “Love you too sweetheart. Ears and eyes open.”

       She backs up and nods. I get hugs from everyone then we get to the front door. Shandy is giggling. “I will take care of your man.”

       I walk up to her and slam my fist into the wall beside her. “Fuck with him and your face will look like the wall.” A little fear in her eyes. Makes me feel a little better.

       Bull growls. “I think she got the picture. Proud of you and that was hot.” He looks at my hand. “Need Doc?”

       “No I’m okay. If it gets worse I’ll get it looked over at the hospital.” Thankfully my hand isn’t broken. I get in the car with Rosemary and Chuck. Bull kisses me then shuts my door. I wave at everyone. “See you later.”

       “I better my love. Take care of each other and I’ll see you soon.” One last kiss through the window then we get on the road. I sit back then look at my hand. Butch better be alive when I get there. He is going to get an earful of what in the hell triggered a heart attack. He’s messing with my vacation.