“What’s up here, Sandy?”She slylysmiled.
“I told you something was up when I left.Apparently, whatever it is has progressed.Come on,” he took herhand.“Let’s tell everyone the good news.”
Jesse saw them and a big grin brightened hisface.He rushed up breathlessly.“Dad!Lily!”They both gave himbig hugs.“We missed you at school, Lily.Are you coming backsoon?”
“Yes, sweetie,” she leaned down to kiss hischeek.“I’ll be there on Monday.Is that soon enough?”
“Yeah,” Jesse shouted, as he ran inside withthe dogs on his heels.
“Dad!”Lily cupped her hands and calledout.
Sam hurried to meet his daughter.He kissedboth her cheeks and they hugged each other tightly.
“Honey, I’m sorry about all of this.My mindapparently went away for a while.Hopefully, I’m back now.”
“Dad, I’m so happy to see you again.It seemslike my dearest father is back in residence again.I understand youand Sandy talked things out.”
“… We did, sweetie, with Jeanne’s help.”
At that, Jeanne came up to Lily and gave hera big hug as well.Sam reached a hand out to Sandy.“Well done,young man.Thank you for bringing my daughter home safe andsound.”
Sandy nodded.“It was absolutely my pleasure,Sam.”
Meanwhile, Jeanne grabbed Lily’s left hand.“And what is this, my darling son?Just what happened up in SanFrancisco?”She was dazzled by the diamond ring, as was Sam.
“That’s a beaut!”
Sandy put his arm around Lily’s waist.“Wewant you to know that I asked Lily to marry me, officially, and shesaid yes…” Sandy brushed his lips on Lily’s.
Lily giggled.“It was not only official, itwas very public.He proposed on one knee in the lobby of theFairmont Hotel.Everyone applauded at the end.”
“That sounds so romantic, just like mywonderful son,” crooned Jeanne smiling at them both.She warmlyembraced Lily and then Sandy.
Sam patted Sandy’s shoulder.“Congratulations, son.My daughter couldn’t want for a betterchoice of a husband.”
“Then we have your approval, Sam?This time?”Sandy laughed.
“… You don’t need it, but you certainly haveit.”
Jeanne took Sam’s arm.“Good.You didn’tscrew it up, this time.”
* * *
“She’s back, isn’t she?”
Jason grinned knowingly.Sandy was a new man,puffed up like a peacock.It had to be Lily.“You’re smiling allthe time.What’s up?”
“Yeah, I went up to San Francisco to get her.That’s where she went to recharge her batteries, her dad said.Speaking of Sam, he flew in a few nights ago and is getting prettychummy with my mother.”
They sat astride their horses, gazing intothe sunset.Officially, they were checking reports of coyotes inthe area.Unofficially, they were enjoying the coming night.TheNevada sun with streaks of pink and orange finally set in thehorizon.The big sky had a chest full of stars in it tonight andthe smell of sage filled the air.
“We’re getting married, Jason, and I’d likeyou to be best man.What do you think?”
“Absolutely.Yes.Thanks, that’s quite anhonor.”
“We’ve been doing some planning the last fewdays and we want to have it here at the ranch in two months.Lilywants us in tuxedoes, though.Can you handle it?”He leaned back onhis horse.
“Yep.No problem.”Jason spit on the ground.“I’m gonna wear my boots, though, Sandy.Can’t wear those wing-tipthings.Too uncomfortable.”
