“… I realize I screwed up and I apologize forit.Something that had happened to me years ago shouldn’t have anyeffect on you and Lily.I see that now, but I guess my stubbornside was up.”
“It has caused a few problems, Sam, I’lladmit that.Hopefully, nothing insurmountable.”
“Have you two been talking it over?”
“No.”Sandy gripped the steering wheel alittle tighter.
“Why not?”
“… Because, sir, she won’t answer my phonecalls and isn’t at her job.I don’t know where she is.”Sandylooked over at him.
“What?She’s missing?”Sam became agitatedand couldn’t sit still.
“Yes.”
“Good grief!Well, we have to find her.”
“I’ve been trying, but unsuccessfully so far.I’m hoping you and Mom can help.You both got us in this stew.I’mhoping you can help get us out.”
“… Your mother?”
“Yes, Jeanne will be at the ranch with myson, Jesse, when we get home.I never had a chance to tell you muchabout myself.I was married six years ago and we had a little boy.She died of cancer a year after he was born.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.That’s how Lily and I met: she’sJesse’s teacher.”Sandy glanced at Sam as he waved a hand in theair.
“I can see all of it now.I suggested shemove here after her rotten marriage with Ron was over.What alouse!”
“… She told me about him.”
Sam smiled at Sandy.“I’m glad she met you.You both need some happiness in your lives.Seems you’ve had bumpyroads, but maybe it’s smoothing out a bit.”
“It was until we went up to Sonoma.”
Sam winced at that remark.“Sorry, son.”
“Forgiven, sir.”
They rode in silence the rest of the way tothe ranch.Sam wondered what it would be like to meet JeanneMurdoch again and was lost in his thoughts.
* * *
Back in San Francisco, Page and Lily enjoyedseeing the sights of the City.Sitting at a corner café inFisherman’s Wharf, Page tilted her head at the photograph on Lily’sphone.
“He’s so good-looking.Look at the hair…those eyes… Your pictures probably don’t do him justice.”
“They don’t,” smiled Lily.“He’s so handsomeand photogenic.He’s tall, probably 6’2 and gets taller with thatbig old cowboy hat.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to call him,Lily?After all, he doesn’t even know where you are.What if youdidn’t know for a week where he was?”
Lily closed her photo file and shut down herphone.A waiter approached with their check.
“You’ve got a good point, Page.I think I’mready.We have a lot of fun together and I miss him terribly.”Shethought a minute.“Maybe tonight after dinner.”
“What about your dad?Do you think he mayhave come to his senses by now?He probably had his reasons tovoice disapproval of Sandy, but do you think he’ll stand by thatposition forever?Is he that rigid?”Page picked up the check tolook it over.
“No, I don’t think so,” commented Lily.“Hewould want me to be happy and being with Sandy makes me happy.I’lltell you what, though, Page.I decided the first morning I got outof bed at the Fairmont that I was going to marry Sandy, no matterwhat Dad thought.”
