“Oh?Butcher, baker, candlestick maker?”
“I think he might be all of those things,Dad.He’s…special.”
“… I’ll bite,” he chuckled.“Does he have aname or should I start guessing?I’ll start with A is for Albert.Is he Albert someone?”Her dad always was able to make her laugh.She blew out a breath, started to relax.
“You know how skittish I am after Ron.Ivowed not to look at another guy until I was old and gray.Maybenot even after that.”
“The guy was a bum, Lily.I told you when youmarried him that he wasn’t the man for you.You insisted,remember?”
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me.”Gee, did sheneed a reminder?
“Who is he, Lily?Tell me.”
“… A local rancher named Sandy Johnson.Hehas a young son named Jesse in my class and he’s just wonderful,Dad.I’ve never met anyone like him.And he looks a bit like ayoung Robert Redford.”She wanted to continue, but there was a fatlump in her throat to contend with.
“In which movie, sweetie?Butch Cassidyand Sundance Kidmaybe?”
What a tease.“That would be the one.”
Sam cleared his throat.“That’s suchwonderful news, honey.Do I get to meet him anytime soon?”
“Not for a while.It’s all too new, but Ijust had to tell someone and I don’t want to tell anyone here.Toosmall a town, as you know.”
“Wait a minute.Did you say Johnson?His nameis Johnson?”
“Yes, why?”
“I went to grade school with a SomebodyJohnson when we lived there.I think his name was Merle or…Miles.That’s it!Miles Johnson.Any relation to your Sandy?”
“Gee, Dad, he’s not my Sandy and I have noidea about a Miles Johnson.However,” she began teasingly.
“Continue,” said her dad with a shortlaugh.
“He and his son have invited me to theirranch tomorrow and I’ve decided to go.What do you think?”
“Honey, I can’t tell you what to do.However…I can tell you I am pleased that you have put yourself backout there.They aren’t all Rons, you know.”
“I think I’m figuring that out.Thanks, Dad,for listening.”
“I want to hear the gruesome details afterthe weekend, all right?”he teased.
“You’re not one of my girlfriends.”
“… Do youhavea girlfriendthere?”
“Okay, so I don’t, but it makes me feel alittle better that you know the family.”
* * *
On another side of town…
Sandy was pacing back and forth in his livingroom in front of the immense stone hearth.Jesse was playing gameson his computer and Sandy was deep in thought.Roaming the room, hedecided to make a call.
“Hi, Mom.Busy?”
“Sandy, you know I’m always doing something.My book club is meeting here pretty soon.”
“Okay, then.If you’re busy…want me to hangup?”
