“Milly’s an amazing person,” she agreed.“Rio and I love her.Without her, I don’t know how you could have raised us.She mothered us, made sure we had school lunches, got us clothes.She did so much for us.During those years, she really helped you.”
“She did,” he allowed, his tone grudging.
“She’s incredible.Right?”She looked at him closely.
He didn’t answer, just walked into the house and then the kitchen to yank open the refrigerator door and glare inside.
She followed.“So, just wondering, but how come you two never got together?You seem to like one another.”
“What are you talking about?”He pretended not to comprehend her meaning.
She tried not to be impatient.“Dad, you just came from breakfast at the diner, correct?Was Milly there?”
“She’s there, all right.”He took his hat off and beat it against his leg.“With that damn Chief King.What’s he doing sniffin’ around her all of a sudden?”
Aha!She thought so.
“I don’t see why he wouldn’t.”Sarah spread her hands.“He’s not much older, and Milly is a smart person.She’s also pretty and curvy and a great cook.I bet a lot of men would like to spend time with her.”
Grinding his teeth, Jim slammed the fridge and stomped into his room.He slammed that door, too.
Sarah smiled.Her mature father was acting like a rebellious teenager.
From behind her, Ben observed it all.“Proud of yourself?”
“I sure am.”
He chuckled.“Your dad will see the value in Milly, don’t worry about it.”
She blinked at him.Big Jim was supposed to see the value in Milly, yet Ben didn’t see the value in her?Saddened, she didn’t know what else to say.So, she asked, “So ...what time tomorrow are you leaving?”
“Early.I’m needed back at the office.”
“Ben...”She breathed deeply, feeling the urge to get this out.“I want to thank you.From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.You’re a true, real-life hero.”
“Not a hero, Sweet Pea,” he said, taking her into his arms.“Just did a job.Besides, you’re a special person.If I’d let anything happen to you, I think the townspeople would have tarred and feathered me and run me out of town.”
Gently, she stepped away from him.“Think I’ll go feed the chicks.”She needed a few minutes to herself.
“I’ll go with you.”
She held out a staying hand.“No, they’re my chickens.I’ll do it.”
He watched her face.“Sarah, you okay?”
“Fine,” she said.“I’ll be back up to the house in a bit.”
“One thing.”Ben held up his index finger.
“Yes?”
“In the morning, will you drive me to the airport?”
“Of course.”She left the kitchen then, managed not to stumble down the front steps because of the moisture building in her eyes.Sure, she’d drive him away, watch him return to his life, the one that most definitely didn’t include her.
How she was going to do that, she wasn’t at all certain.
