“Well, I damn well hate to be the one to tell you this, but Mead’s courtin’ her.”
“Is that right?” Morgan said, not sure what this had to do with him.
“Hell, man, you didn’t expect her to wait forever, did ya?”
“No, I guess not.”
“I just wanted to warn you. There’s a good chance they’ll be at your Mama’s for Sunday dinner.”
“Thanks. I don’t guess I’ll worry about it today. I just want to get reacquainted with my family.”
“That’s a plum fine attitude,” the man replied, giving a whistle to the team and starting up the dusty drive.
Morgan watched the young woman who came out of the house closely. A little over five feet, her dark hair twisted into a bun, she stood waiting for her husband with her hands on her hips. Her white dress was sprinkled with blue flowers, a basket sat on the porch beside her, and Morgan could see the toe of her shoe tapping impatiently.
“Cole Rathborn, do you have any idea what time it is?” she yelled at her husband. “Mama is going to have a fit that we’re late again. You should have been back long ago, but I can see that you got sidetracked again! I swear, if I want to be on time I’ll have to start driving myself and leave you home to fend for yourself. Who’s that with you?” she called, holding her hand to her forehead, shielding her eyes from the bright sun.
“Now you just hold your tongue, Missy, and wait till you see who I’ve got in this here wagon before you begin chewin’ a piece off my hide.”
“It don’t matter none to me who you got with you…I don’t like being late and you know it…” she said, her voice falling off as she took a step down the stairs, her eyes glued to the figure on the seat of the wagon. “I…”
Morgan smiled. At least now he knew the man beside him was named Cole, and he was about to learn a whole lot more as Missy screamed and catapulted herself of the steps.
“Morgan,” she cried. “Morgan, it’s you at last!”
She was short and curvy, but she could run like the wind. Morgan jumped down from the wagon as soon as it slowed and did what seemed natural under the circumstances. He caught Missy in his arms, lifting her off her feet and twirling her in a circle. She clung to him as though she’d never let him go. He saw the tears streaking down her cheeks and felt the need to comfort her.
“It’s all right, Missy,” he whispered into her hair as he stroked her back.
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she sobbed, clinging to him tightly.
“I’m a little surprised to be here myself,” he said honestly, strangely moved. Whoever the earlier version of Morgan was, he was loved, that much was clear.
“Are ya still mad at me?” Cole asked his wife, grinning as Morgan set her on her feet.
Missy laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Of course I am,” she told her husband, tipping her head back and looking into his twinkling brown eyes. “You were late.”
“But I brought your brother,” Cole said, clearly stunned at her words.
“Yes, and you were a few years late doing that as well,” she said smiling. “Get the basket, honey, and let’s get going. I can’t wait till Mama sees who we brought to dinner.”
Shaking his head, Morgan lifted Missy up onto the wagon seat and climbed up beside her. Cole was still mumbling as he set the basket in the back and pulled himself up.
“See what I’m telling ya, Morgan?” he sighed, snapping the reins. “Sometimes she just needs it.”
“Needs what?” Missy asked suspiciously.
“Aw, nothing.”
Morgan chuckled, his hand patting Missy’s as she clutched his arm as though afraid he was going to disappear.
“Um, Morgan, there’s something I think you should know before we get to Ma’s,” Missy said gently as they bounced along the uneven road. “It’s about Lilly…”
“I already told him,” Cole interjected quickly. “Couldn’t see no sense in puttin’ it off seein’s how it’s Sunday and all. They sat together at the service this mornin’ and that means…”
“Well, did you break it to him gently?” Missy demanded. Her eyes snapped as she elbowed her husband in the ribs before turning back to her brother. “We all know how you felt about Lilly, Morgan. Mead waited a long time before he let his interest show, and she was pretty hesitant about letting him court her, what with your history and all. Finally, she gave in, but it was only because we all thought you weren’t coming home.” She sighed, her eyes filling with tears again. “I hope you won’t hold it against them. They seem to be getting on fine and we’ve all been expecting them to set the date, although it hasn’t happened yet.”
Morgan put his arm around Missy and gave her shoulders a squeeze.
