CHAPTER 11

When Matt got to the hospital, Sheila was just about to leave for home. "That sure is a big smile. Did you miss me that much?" Matt stopped and got a hug from the nurse.

"No, not at all." She giggled. "I'm on my way to pick up Charles at the airport – he's about to process out." Sheila's husband was in the Marine Corps and had been stationed for the last two years in Afghanistan.

"Well congratulations! You two need to come to the ranch one night – I'd like to meet him." Matt gave her another hug.

"We might just do that – but you'll have to introduce him to Cricket. He doesn't believe a word I told him about that horse of yours." She was all smiles.

"Not a problem. She loves people. And you still haven't met Catey yet. Well, look: I know you two will want some time to yourselves, but after you get him tired out, call me." He gave her a big grin.

"You are terrible! You're right of course – but you're terrible just the same." She looked at her watch. "Gotta go. Sarge hates it if I'm late for anything!" She took off down the hall singing.

Matt eased the door to Hoyt's room open to find him and Anne sitting on the bed together talking. "Hmmm….that looks familiar. CJ and I did that very same thing after the truck bomb."

"So how did it go?" Hoyt turned off the TV and Matt came over and stood next to the bed.

"Nailed 'em." He grinned at his friend.

"Really? Damn that was quick!" Hoyt reached out his left hand to Matt who shook it. "Boy am I glad you're on my side. So what about the iguana?" By the time Matt got through the whole tail, Hoyt was wiping tears from his eyes from laughing so hard and Anne was blowing her nose. "He is gonna hate you. You know that, right?"

"Hell, he hated me from the moment he laid eyes on me. I didn't really have much to lose, now did I?" He laughed. After a few more minutes of talking with his friend, Matt looked at his watch and stood up. "Do you two need anything?"

"No, we're fine. They say I'll get out of here the day after tomorrow. And that's good, 'cause I know you're spoiling my baby." Hoyt grinned up at Matt.

"Nah, if anything she's spoiling us. She's really good with Catey, so don't be surprised if we call her to babysit pretty soon. CJ and I haven't been out on the town in quite a while." He wiggled his eyebrows, sending Anne into another fit of laughter. "Well I better go home before they put her on the loony bin floor. Y'all call me if you need me, okay?" He and Michael shook hands again as the lieutenant thanked him and he got a hug from Anne before walking out the door.