Luther walked out of the bedroom wearing one of Robbie's oversized robes when Willie ran up to him and hugged him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Willie exclaimed, then headed out the door for Genman school.
"What was all that about?" Luther asked.
"Seems that you have made a very big impression on Willie and he can't wait until he can mark the date for his baby brother's arrival," Robbie responded.
Luther chuckled. "About as big as the impression his dad made in the crack of my ass last night, you think?"
Robbie blushed. "It's your fault for being so damned sexy." He kissed Luther, then mentioned, "I need to be to work on time since today is my first day as Construction Supervisor, so I need to get showered and dressed."
"Can we make it a double shower?" Luther asked.
"Nope," Robbie replied. "I don't trust myself enough in case you drop a bar of soap." He walked to the bathroom, entered, and locked the door.
"Chicken!" Luther hollered out.
* * *
Robbie stepped out of the bath and spoke. "I'm not taking Ben's job. I will however take care of the Construction Division while he's unavailable due to this pregnancy, but I'm happy as foreman at this time. I respect him too much to take a great man's job."
Luther smiled. "Now go out that door and tell Mr. Zach and Ben that yourself to prove to them that you are a man that respects others in authority."
Robbie kissed Luther. "I'll be home for lunch today, my heart."
Luther stood there, back to the door as Robbie left. Luther didn't have to worry about being disturbed as Robbie's home was towards the back of the 10,000-acre ranch, so he wasn't bothered by anyone unless it was business.
* * *
Ty, while sitting at the breakfast table, asked if anyone had seen their dad because he never came home last night and he still wasn't back yet. He looked at his grandfather to see if he knew anything.
"I might, but let me tell you boys this first," Zach spoke. "Your father has raised all of you these years by himself and has done a damned good job at that, but the time has come that he think about himself just as Daniel and Lex have by starting their own families. Ty, hopefully you will meet someone soon or you are going to end up with blisters on your palm."
Everyone started to laugh, much to his dismay.
"But it's his time until he returns, so don't try and find him or it's me and you, granddad, you will be answering to. And don't go thinking that you are too big to get a good ole country ass whipping."
Not another word was said until Zach remarked, "Got to meet with a man about a promotion." He stood up and left the house.
"I wonder what's going on," Ty spoke out.
"I don't want to go there or even know because I don't want to explain to my kids where my ass went to," Lex was the first to respond.
"Or explaining to them why Mr. Ty's ass is up around his shoulder blades," Daniel replied.
Everyone busted out laughing and the subject was closed.
* * *
Zach drove up to the Construction Office and Robbie was out front pacing. He could see the lights were on inside, so that meant Ben was there.
"Come on inside, Robbie. Let's get this deal done," Zach said. Both went inside.
Ben was seated at the desk. Zach and Robbie took a seat.
"I guess we all know why we are here today," Ben started.
Robbie nodded yes.
"As you know, my family is going to explode here soon and I must turn over the reins to someone who can do the job, and we decided that Genman is you, Robbie," Ben started. "You have demonstrated the ability to handle it and I admire your commitment to how you do it during adversities that you have been through. You showed up here the next day after you delivered Willie and put in a full day's work, only taking breaks to feed him and you placed him back into that chest harness you wore and he slept as you continued to work. As soon as you could put him into Genman School, you worked even harder and have raised a wonderful headstrong Genman boy. Heck, most of us feel like uncles to the young man as much as he's been around, so don't think anyone is giving you anything—you earned it, Robbie."
"I would like to thank the both of you for this chance with the Ranch Construction Department, but I have to respectfully decline it at this point and time of my life, sirs," Robbie started. "Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the chance to lead the Division, but my life has taken a big change. Out of respect, I want to tell you sirs why. I have been raising Willie and lost myself, but a couple of days ago I met someone and it will require all of my extra time. I promised myself I would never fall victim to another like the POS that left me carrying my Willie. I love my son but I will never raise another child alone again—it's not fair to them. A child needs both of his parents around."
"Who is this young Genman that has screwed up all my plans?" Ben asked.
Robbie smiled. "He's at home cooking my lunch—his choice. When we first spoke, I knew he was for me. I lost my heart the first time I held him in my arms on the sofa watching a movie—he had my soul."
"We agreed not to make it any more physical than that because he has suffered as much loss as I have. We both have kids... his are older and no longer depend on his daily care. One is lost in his way, the other two have gone on to start their own families. When it's the right time, he wants to have my child, but know this... he's Hybrid and I don't care. A heart wants what a heart wants, and after he's four months along I intend to carry his child to make us a whole family... and Willie can have little brothers to spoil. Heck, he caught us in the bed this morning asleep and he wanted to know what date he should mark on his calendar for his baby brother's arrival."
"So I might need a couple days off after birthing, then I'm back at work ready to work. But my major concern is the house—it's fine for Willie and me, but if we add two new babies it will be a little crowded. So I was thinking that if you approved, could I take some of the salvage material that I have stacked by the supply shack that I keep covered with a tarp to save it from ruining and build onto the house during my off days, sirs?"
Ben looked at Zach. "No, you cannot take any of the salvage lumber, Robbie, because you will not be adding on your house at all. You can make do with what you have in life—you're a Genman and we are used to being in cramped quarters."
Robbie looked down at the floor. "Yes sir, I understand. Do you need anything else or can I go round up the crew and get to work?"
"No, because you aren't working with the crew today and maybe for a while," Zach drew a deep breath and replied.
"I agree with you on that, Zach. He's not working period," Ben chimed in.
Robbie looked at the two men, devastated. "What did I do? Where did I go wrong, sirs? I've always gone above and beyond what anyone ever asked me to do. How can I fix this with the both of you?"
"You can't fix it," Zach responded.
"Not at all, son. Can't be fixed," Ben chimed in.
Robbie stood up. "I'll pack my things, sirs. I thank you for the opportunity. I'm sorry that I let the two of you down." He started for the door.
Zach was dying and Ben wasn't far from it himself when he busted out laughing as hard as he could. Zach started holding his side as he was having a hard time catching his breath.
"Robbie, turn loose of that door knob and get your big ass back here," Zach said through the laughter.
Ben started to laugh even harder. "The way I remember it was 'hold on to that door knob and back that big ass up on this bad boy.'"