Soft.
For once there was no teasing.
No jokes.
No walls.
Just Sadie.
And suddenly it became very difficult to remember all the reasons I was supposed to stay away.
A porch screen slammed.
The moment shattered instantly.
Hank emerged from the house carrying a cane.
His knee was clearly bothering him.
The sight made my jaw tighten.
The old rancher stopped beside us.
Looked at the roof.
Looked at the cow.
Then looked at the boys.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Hank sighed.
A deep weary sigh.
The sigh of a man questioning every hiring decision he'd ever made.
"What happened?"
The youngest raised his hand.
"It was mostly the cow."
Hank stared at him.
The boy slowly lowered his hand.
Smart decision.
Then Hank looked at me.
Completely serious.
"You're coming back tomorrow, right?"
I opened my mouth.
Paused.
