He moved her toward the stairs. Rather than get the electric chair lift directly on the stairs, he got the company to curve it around so there was no risk to her safety. Bull helped her into the chair, and she smiled at him.
Each time he did this with her, she looked even more upset than the last time. Her mother had gotten into her head about her weight and looks.
Bull had never truly met the woman, and he was glad she was already dead because he would have enjoyed concocting some shit for that woman to feel. He didn’t understand how a mother could be so cold, so callous when it came to her own daughter. She’d infected her daughter’s head with such a low opinion of herself, and it drove him crazy just thinking about it.
Maddie clicked the button, and the chair moved downstairs to the bottom. He put the brakes on the wheelchair upstairs and followed her down.
Pat waited at the bottom. Before he could offer her a hand out, Bull was there, picking her up and helping her into the wheelchair.
“I can’t wait until I can use crutches. I was talking to Molly, and she thinks after another X-ray to confirm my wrist has set properly, she doesn’t think it will be long before I can start moving around on my own. I’m perfectly fine, she said.”
“I know you’re perfectly fine.” He was aware the only reason her mobility had suffered was because of her wrist. The doctors had explained to him she would make a complete and full recovery. The only reason she struggled now was having a broken wrist along with the foot.
She was healing nicely. What he didn’t want was for it to be rushed. Maddie had all the time in the world, as did he with taking care of her.
Another whine and a few little howls came from the main living room.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That is the sound of your present. Well, not a present really, but you know what I mean when I see them.” Bull grabbed her wheelchair and moved her toward the living room. A makeshift kennel had been set up in his living room. A low cage surrounded the pups, and the mommy doggy looked so tired as they crawled all over her. He knew the dog was fine though. She was often playing with all of her pups, but they were a handful.
“Oh, my God,” she said. “They’re her ten pups?”
“Yep, and this little guy, I like to call Runt.” The dog that was smaller than the others had come close to the wall to him.
Bull lifted him up with ease, and the little pup snuggled up against him.
“He likes you,” Maddie said.
“He’s a good boy. Strong too. A survivor.” He moved toward her and placed Runt in her lap. “Here.”
She groaned. “He’s so tiny.”
“I know. They do grow up so fast. You think they’re tiny now, you should have seen them a few weeks ago.”
“They’re amazing. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, they are.” He stroked her hair, watching as she petted Runt. “You want to go inside? Play with them?”
“Will I sound childish if I say yes?”
“Hell no. You’d sound like my kind of woman.”
She burst out laughing. “I think you’re a little biased.”
He kissed her head. “I can’t help it, Maddie. Just telling you you’re my kind of woman.”
Bull helped her out of the wheelchair and onto the floor but with her back resting against a chair.
“I’m going to grab you a drink,” he said.
The pups were all curious about the woman who had come to sit with her, and he chuckled as she was surrounded by all those curious little faces.
He went into the kitchen where Pat followed him.
“You want to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.
“Molly checks out. She’s the best physical therapist in the area. She is known to help with a speedy recovery, and people only have amazing things to say about her.”
“Good.”
“William and Craig have left. We’ve done a full check on local hotels and even nearby acquired properties. They didn’t stay.”
This was normally Grant’s job, but after their spat a few weeks ago, Bull had been toying with the idea of pulling his VP patch. The only reason Grant had it was because he was his brother. He had yet to earn the patch, and Bull wasn’t interested in giving something with ease.
The club members had to earn their place, but Grant had it easy. He did have to earn his patch, but the VP spot was given to him by family name only.
“What about the place where the dogs were kept. The fighting ring?”
“No new activity there. A few of the guys are going to head over there. Clear it out.”
“Get it done. I don’t want anyone to think they can start that kind of shit here.” He poured Maddie some milk. Bull looked toward Pat, and the brother looked … different. “What is it?”