“So, what’s the story?”
“Hang on to your hat, brother.He’s married and living in some place in Mississippi called Ruban Crossing.”
“He’s what?”
“You heard me.”
Royal shook his head.“Married!Ryder, of all people.His wife must be something to have talked a maverick like him into settling down.Do you think we ought to give him a call?You know—to wish him well and all that?”
A fly buzzed past Roman’s ear.He never moved, but his gaze followed the flight of the fly as it sailed past his nose.Somewhere between one breath and the next, he snatched the fly in midflight, holding it captive in his fist while he finished his conversation.
“Hell, no.You know better than that.Ryder is the one who ran away from home.If we call him, it would be like that time Mama came after the three of us for sneaking off to the pond to go fishing when we were supposed to be in school, remember?”
Royal laughed.“Remember?Lord, I had nightmares for years afterward.And you’re right.If Mama had just given us time, we would have been home for supper and everything would have been all right.As it was, we were dragged home with our tails between our legs.It took weeks before I could look Dad in the face without feeling shame.”
“Just be glad we know where Ryder is.”
Royal sighed.“Right, and thanks for calling.”
“No problem.”
Maddie tugged at Royal’s arm.“Your niece needs to tell you something, okay?”
A rare smile shifted the sternness on Roman’s face.“If it’s Maddie, it’s always okay.”
“Unca Roman?”
“What is it, little bit?”
“You pwomised to take me to the zoo.”
“I know.”
“So when is you gonna do it?”
The smile on his face widened.“Whenever you want.”
“Now!”she crowed.“I want to do it wight now.”
The fly buzzed frantically against the palm of his hand as he glanced up at the clock.“Put your daddy back on the phone and let me ask,” he said.
Maddie handed her father the phone.“It’s for you.And you gots to say yes.”
Royal pretended to frown, but it was all a big fake.He nearly always said yes to his very best girl.
“What?”
“Your daughter and I have a date with the zoo.She wants to go now.”
“Fine with me,” Royal said.“Just remember, she can’t have everything she wants to eat, even if she begs.The last time she threw up on your boots.”
“They were my boots.My problem.I’ll be there within the hour.”He hung up the phone and then smashed his hand flat on the top of his desk, ending the fly’s last bid for freedom.
Royal hung up.At least there was one uncle left upon whom Maddie could depend.He didn’t know what he thought about Ryder getting married, and truth be told, didn’t have time to worry about it.Ryder was alive and well.That was all that could matter.
* * *
Not even in Lash Marlow’s worst nightmares had he envisioned the day that something this degrading would happen to him.But it was here, in his hands, on plain white bond, typed all in capitals in clear, black ink.He stuck his hand in his pocket, rubbing at the rabbit’s foot over and over and the words still didn’t change.
