“That I do, so I can hear what yer sayin’, but when ya leave, I take ’em out again.”
“I didn’t know that.” His chest heaved. “I haven’t been that scared in… forever.”
She reached over and patted his cheek. “Yer a good boy, Rance McLintock, rushin’ to find out if I’m dead.”
“I didn’t think you were?—”
“Yeah, ya did. Yer face was white as a polar bear’s ass. So what were ya callin’ me for?”
“To ask a favor for me,” Lani said. “Since my folks adore your pound cake, I’d like to make them one as a Christmas present, if you’d be willing to teach me how. And if you have time.”
“That’s brilliant!” She clapped her hands together. “When?”
“Now? I hate to interrupt your reading, though.”
“Oh! Rance’s book!” She glanced at the floor. “Where did?—”
“Right here.” He held it up. “I have a favor to ask, too. Can I borrow this for the day? In fact, I can bring you a fresh copy. This one’s kinda dinged up.”
“Threw it in the air, I did. Thought an avalanche was bearin’ down on us.”
He smiled. “We’re too far from the mountains to be hit by an avalanche.”
“Now ya tell me. After I memorized all the ways ta survive one. Anyway, sure, take it. Lani needs me ta help her make a pound cake.”
“In that case, I’ll shove off.”
“Are you workin’ till five, again, lad?”
“I am, but I’ll find someone to come and fetch Lani whenever you two are finished.”
Granny looked at her. “Are ya in a hurry to go somewhere, luv?”
“No, but I don’t want to impose.”
“Ya wouldn’t. We’ll have a grand time gettin’ ta know each other better. Take off yer coat. Make yerself at home.”
“Thank you.” She hung it on the rack by the door while Rance and Granny held a murmured conversation. She turned back in time to catch Granny standing on tiptoe to give him a kiss on the cheek. So cute.
Then she made a shooing motion. “Go on with ya, boy, before ya make yerself late.”
“Thanks, Granny. Oh, and get Lani to tell you the latest news. Better her than me. She can probably do it without swearing.” Tipping his hat, he headed out the door clutching his manuscript.
He must have found a source in town for printing more of them. Probably Lucky, who’d have a printer at his shop and then he’d be the first of the siblings to get a copy.
Excitement was building throughout the family. That had to feel good, despite his frustration about the rendezvous that might never happen.
“Ya fancy him.”
“Pretty obvious, huh?”
“Like yer wearin’ one of those sandwich boards. Do yer mum and dad know?”
“I haven’t told them, but….”
“Yeah, they know. Like I said, it’s stickin’ out all over ya.”
She laughed. “I’ve got Rance fever.”
