“Probably until lunch. I’ve got to see if Dad needs anything on the ranch.”
And just like that, this morning in the barn is back. Carli. In my arms. A soft flare washes my vision. My body thrums low just beneath the surface.
I leave it to the residents to figure out who’s going to play and I take my seat at the table. Loretta deals each of us eleven cards and the game starts—along with the trash-talking.
Gus leans back in his chair, hands folded behind his head, eyes trained on me. He loudly declares, “Don’t get too comfortable, Sparky.”
He reaches over and taps my card pile with one finger. “I hope you got what you needed.”
“Back at you, old man,” I tease.
“Don’t pull thatold manstuff with me. I’m a young man who happened to age.”
“Okay, young man,” I amend.
Our comfortable laughter fills the room.
I pause before drawing, glancing at Gus with mock consideration, and say, “You talk big for someone who naps after lunch.”
The women around the table burst into another round of laughter.
“He’s got you there,” Wilma says.
Gus smiles at me. “I’m pretty sure we both nap after lunch, hotshot.” Then he winks at me.
The play continues. A few turns later, Frank’s studying his hand. He hesitates before laying down his cards. “I know this isn’t impressive. In my defense, I had to work with Ginny’s discard.”
“Sure, sure,” Gus says. “Blame the woman like we’re still living in the fifties.”
I chuckle.
Wilma studies the cards for a beat, then she looks at Frank. “You call that a meld? That’s a cry for help.”
He shrugs.
We’re focused on the game, and I’m relaxed in a way I haven’t been in days.
Loretta looks at me from across the table. “Cody, give us some gossip.”
“I don’t have anything juicy to share,” I say.
“What good are you then?” Ginny teases.
“No girl in your life?” Gus asks.
I’m so tempted to tell them all.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” I say instead.
“Oh, so you are kissing?” Loretta asks. It’s more of a statement than a question.
“He just said he wasn’t going to tell,” Ginny reminds everyone. I could kissherfor saving me.
“Well, here’s what I know,” Gus says.
“Oh, dear,” Wilma says with a mock eye roll.
“You have to treat a woman like fine china,” Gus continues, ignoring Wilma.
