“Is that a military thing?”
“I guess, it’s asking permission for me to speak my mind without getting into trouble.”
“Go ahead.”
“Thanks, I know this might sound crazy, but I’ve taught Staci how to cook spaghetti, and Katherine taught her how to make goulash. I was wondering if Lois doesn’t have anything to do until Spring for her garden, could she come up with some easy recipes that I could teach to Staci. I only know the basics, steak, potatoes, eggs, omelets, spaghetti, and goulash. That’s about the extent of my cooking skills.”
Cole grinned as he settled back in his chair. “Yeah, I can see how that would limit you on teaching someone to cook. I take it this Staci person is the new doctor working over at Broken Two with Caleb and Katherine?”
“Yes, Dr. Staci Hardt, she’s working on her government grant to help provide prosthetics for some veterans.”
“There are a few of them over at Broken that could probably use her services. I’m not saying they don’t have good ones now, but I do know that Opal is missing her left arm from just above the elbow anddoesn’t wear one. She says it’s more of a pain in the ass to strap on, than to go without.”
“Did you get a text or call from Erin about Sunday?”
“Yes. I’ll be there, so will Lois. When I get home after work, I’ll discuss putting some recipes together for Staci.”
“Okay, but Staci didn’t know I asked.”
“Lois will be discreet,” he said, and pointed to the door. “Get back to work.” Cole laughed along with Tony.
Tony spent the rest of the afternoon learning the different types of tack, and what they were used for. Ann even explained that the tack for the race horses was different than what they used over at Broken for those horses that people rode. He ended up taking pictures of them with his phone and said he’d research it more when he got home that night. Before leaving the barn, he caught Cole as he was leaving and asked permission to get more meat from the freezer, since he had only taken two packages of steaks, and two of hamburger. Cole told him it was fine, but not to forget to put on the list outside the freezer or cooler what he took.
Over at the community pantry, Tony ran into several of the men as they were unloading boxes and coolers from several pick-up trucks, he immediately jumped in to help.
“What’s all this?” he asked as he helped Reid withone of the coolers as they carried it into the building, where several other men were unloading them.
“Erin got the call that the cows she sent to slaughter were done and we went to pick them up,” Reid said and shook his head. “I don’t know how she did it, but she was able to get a whole pig in the process. No clue where it came from, and she only said the butcher said she would be doing him a favor if she took it off his hands.”
“Bacon?” Tony asked with a laugh and every single man stopped and stared at the two of them.
“Where?” Lloyd demanded, and Reid laughed as he pointed to the cooler he and Tony carried. It didn’t take long for it to be unloaded along with the others. Tony ended up grabbing two packages of everything. Bacon, pork chops, one pork roast, one beef roast, burger and at the end, because he didn’t have as much meat in his freezer as the others, they filled a cooler for him to take home. He and Lloyd carried it over to Tony’s truck, then Lloyd looked at him with a worried face.
“You up for company tonight?”
“I don’t see why not, I just need to take a shower, then get some supper, why?”
“Marcia knows you’re here. Erin sent the text about the family BBQ, and she questioned me. I let it slip that you were here and the picnic was for you and Dr. Hardt. It took some time to convince her not to rush over here and see you. I made her promisenot to until I had a chance to speak with you first. Not that I’m keeping the two of you apart, but I thought after seeing you when your first arrived, I didn’t know how long it would take you to recover from the trip.”
“I don’t think you’re trying to keep us apart, Lloyd, and I thank you for allowing me to rest up before I see Marcia. Don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way, but I love Marcia, and I know how intense she can be. Thank you for keeping her at bay for me.”
“Not a problem, now that the cat’s out of the bag, she’s all yours,” Lloyd laughed and slapped him on the upper arm. “But not literally.”
“I know, it will be great seeing her again. The last time I saw her, she stopped by my place to tell me she was coming here. I had just had my third or fourth operation a couple of months before that, and I was up and moving, but not very well.”
“Damn, it’s been that long? She’s going to shit when she sees you. I can see an improvement in you since you arrived four days ago.”
“Thank you, I feel great. I saw Caleb today and he gave me exercises to loosen my muscles before I go to bed, and when I get up in the morning.” He decided to wait to tell him what he had been experiencing until he met Marcia later that night. They parted ways, Tony went home, showered, and because he’d only eaten one of the steaks out of hislast package, he cooked that along with a baked potato. He laughed as he opened the pantry door and pulled out a can of peas to go with his meal.
He had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. He turned, braced himself against the counter, and called out, “Come in!” the door opened, and in walked Marcia Ramos, his best friend, his younger, older sister, and former confidante. He stood there and watched her look around wildly and when she spotted him, she froze.
“Holy shit, you look better than the last time I saw you.”
“Thanks, I think,” he said as he came away from the counter, and nodded to Lloyd as he entered and closed the door behind him. When he received the nod in return, Tony opened his arms and grinned. “Where’s my hug?” He didn’t have to wait long before she was across the room and instead of slamming into him, she eased into his embrace gently, then hugged him tightly. They stood like that for a good three minutes and when she looked at him, he reached up and wiped her tears.
“I’m okay, Ramos, I really am.” He didn’t know what to do, and Lloyd was suddenly there. Tony turned her toward him, and he took her and soothed her. It took a few minutes, but when she was under control, she turned to Tony, wiping her tears.
“Sorry, it’s just been so long since I saw you.”
