"No. My little sister is, though. She's in high school."
"I met her yesterday."
"She's excited about the series," he said. "She wants to try to get in it."
"Oh, yeah, just ask Alex," I said, nodding. "I know he'll be looking for extras. You can be in it, too, if you want."
"Me? Oh, I have no desire."
"You have a face for it," I said, being real.
"For what?" he asked.
"For the camera."
"Are you trying to say I'm handsome so I won't tell my mom you broke into our barn?" He glanced at me quickly, but there was the slightest hint of a smile. This made me feel a gigantic sense of relief. I was a rule follower from way back, and I hated getting in trouble. This smile was the first I had seen from him. It felt like my first step to redemption, and I was so happy.
"Well, no, I'm glad if you'll forgive me about the barn, but I was just saying that as a fact. You just objectively look like you could star in a movie."
"Says the girl who's actually staring in one."
"Well, that's because I know Alex."
"Are you learning anything out here on the ranch?"
"I don't really know what I'm looking to learn, honestly. I don't know what I expected when I came here. I do know I'll feel more comfortable in a few months when we come back. I feel ahead of the game for just knowing what's out here, so that's good. Where are we going, by the way? You said you have errands."
"Oh, my neighbor. I take her to church every Sunday. We stop and get donuts and then go to church together. But I'll just drop her off at the church and take you back to the ranch. She can get a ride home from someone else. That won't be a problem."
"So, we're not going to church?" I asked.
"No."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, good."
Chapter 7
"This is a precious little house," I said when he parked in the driveway of a small plum-colored home with a steep arbor over the front door.
"It's Donna's," he said, opening his truck door. He pointed to the cream-colored one next door, which was sweet as well. "That's mine."
"Do you want me to get down with you?" I asked.
Henry shrugged. "It doesn't matter. You can if you want, but she's ready, I'm just going to the door to grab her."
"I'll get out and wait in the driveway," I said. I had no idea who Donna was, but I didn't want to be in the front seat when she came to get into the truck. I stood on the driveway next to the truck, and Henry walked toward her house. He glanced back to see if I was coming, but he said nothing when he saw that I wasn't.
I watched as he walked toward the door, and I saw it open before he ever got there. The most precious little old lady stepped outside, wearing a purple floral dress that matched her house. She had on white shoes, white gloves, and a white hat to match her white hair. I could not hold in a smile when I saw her beam at Henry and then reach out to hug him.
They talked for a second on the stoop, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. He held her hand, looking like the picture of a gentleman, while they climbed down three steps togetherand began walking toward me. She looked toward the truck and noticed me, putting a hand over her mouth in a gesture of surprise.
"Oh, my goodness, I knew this day would come," she said. They were closer to me now, so I could hear her even though her voice was quiet. He was holding her hand, and it was the sweetest thing. I was so charmed by watching them that I hardly registered what she was saying. "I knew you'd find a lady someday."
"Oh, no ma'am, this lady is staying at my parents' ranch. She's a guest there. She's… running errands with me this morning. That's why you'll have to ask Nick or Tammy for a ride home today. I can't stay for church."
She gasped in dismay. "Oh, sure you can. Everybody's got to stay for church. That's how you get your week started right is to go to Sunday school and church on Sunday. Then your whole week is on track."
"Oh, I know, and you know I hate to miss, but I have to get our guest back to the ranch. She's eating breakfast with my mom."
