I do.
Wonderful. If you dont mind calling them, since youll no doubt need to arrange to be home to let them inside, Id appreciate it.
She took the grocery receipt out of her pocket, ripped off one end and jotted her cell number on the back.
Now, I really have to put my groceries away. And with Winkleman gone, I have chores that need doing. She struggled a moment with panic, realizing chores shed never done before and repairing things like Suttons air conditioner were suddenly all on her. If youll ask the repair person to call me with an estimate, Im sure we can get you fixed up ASAP, she said, not feeling confident at all.
Flynn took the paper and tucked it into a side pocket in his camo pants.
She tried not to think how fine he looked in the T-shirt and pants. How well toned.
He opened the door to his truck and snapped his fingers at the dog. Come on, Beezer, we gotta go.
Plainly, Andee was reluctant to release her grip on the big dog. When can Beezer come to visit again? she asked. I wanted Mommy to buy him some doggy bones at the store. She made me put them back cause she said Beezer wouldnt come to our house. Her tone was decidedly accusatory.
Jenna averted her eyes from the scene as her daughter finally let go of Flynns pet and the dog leaped into the pickup.
Oh, wait, she said as Flynn started to join his pet. Its silly since I own the house, and somewhere in the stuff I got from Mr. Rhodes is the address. I really should make time to drive by and have a look at it.
Sure thing. Flynn reached into his glove box. He plucked out a business card, turned it over and wrote his address. Its a dollhouse compared to this place, he said, handing Jenna the card. Their fingers brushed and they both pulled back so fast the card fluttered to the ground.
Flynn scooped it up. He continued to eye her home as he extended the card by its edge. Your place is big for two people. Its pretty remote, too. But, hey, I guess Oscar lived here alone.
In Jennas estimation he could have kept those comments about her home being remote to himself. After all, she was still somewhat disturbed by Don Winklemans attitude.
Its more space than Andee and I are used to, she said, tucking her daughter against her right thigh. Were going to be happy here, arent we, munchkin? She ran a finger down Andees dusty nose.
Weve got lots of room for Beezer or a dog like him, the girl announced, causing Jenna to blush.
Flynn laughed. Gbye. He again headed for his pickup and it was the first time Jenna noticed he walked with a limp. She wondered what his story was.
She watched as he got into his pickup and shoved the dog over. He closed the door and rolled down the window, waving as he made a slower turnaround than the one Winkleman had.
Beezer leaned around his master, stuck his big head out the window and barked, his ears flapping.
At the sound of her daughters joyous response, Jenna vowed to call Oscar Martin that night to ask if a dog might scare the birds.
CHAPTER THREE
DO YOU THINK Beezer can have a sleepover with me sometime? Andee sounded hopeful as she peered up at Jenna.
Probably not, honey. I dont think dogs understand whats enjoyable about a sleepover. Not like kids do. Hey, we have groceries to take into the house. Jenna went to the Cherokee and lifted out two bags. Will you grab the milk, please?
Okay. The girl kicked at the dust on the way to the vehicle.
I know our new home doesnt have kids nearby to play with. But Im sure youll like helping out with the ostriches.
What can I do with them? Theyre way bigger than me.
Jenna glanced at her daughters long face as she set one bag down and unlocked the door. It takes a few weeks for chicks to hatch in the incubator. Tonight Ill study up on how many chicks its advisable to add to our flock.
I want lots.
We cant add more than the land will support. Jenna set her bags on the counter, took the milk jugs from Andee and placed them in the fridge. Mr. Martins notes say chicks grow fast. He said it takes an eighth of an acre to sustain an adult bird. Thats why well sell most of our eggs.
Im hungry. Can I have a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich?
Ill fix us both one right after I bring in the rest of the groceries.
When she returned with the remaining bags, Andee was sitting at the kitchen table snuggling Cubby Bear. Shed gone back into her shell.
As Jenna stored the things shed bought, she contemplated checking in town to see if the school or library offered summer classes for kids. Swimming, maybe, or little theater.
Before Andrews investigation, Andee and her former school friends had loved to dress up and play make-believe.
As if associating with Colonel Woods daughter would somehow rub off on their kids.
After she folded the last empty bag, Jenna got down plates and opened the bread. In the middle of spreading peanut butter, Andee suddenly said, Can Daddy see us here in our new place?
Jenna fumbled the knife and it clattered against the plate. See us how?
My Sunday school teacher said Daddy could look down and see me from heaven. She said heaven is up above the clouds. Here, there arent many clouds. Andees little face crinkled, worry plain in her eyes.
Jenna carried their plates and the jar of jam to the table. Sitting, she slowly spread strawberry jam on the slices of bread that werent covered with peanut butter. Still struggling in her own mind, she cut one sandwich in two and slid it across to Andee.
Shed had a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that Andrew had flown extensively in war zones and returned in one piece, only to die practically in his own backyard in a senseless, controversial accident.
She couldntwouldnt burden Andee with her own uncertainties.
Heaven is a huge place, and its...everywhere. Do you remember when we drove a long way from home to see a rocket launch?
Andee nodded. It went up and up and up, and disappeared.
Thats right, the rocket went all the way to the moon, but it still didnt reach heaven. Do you remember how Grandma said hes with you every time you think about him?
Uh-huh. Andee stared at her sandwich a moment longer. Do we get milk to drink? she asked, placing her bear in an empty chair before she picked up half of her sandwich and took a bite.
More than happy to change the subject, Jenna jumped up, took down glasses and poured each of them a glass of milk.
What was that bad man doing here before Beezer came to visit?
Jenna swallowed what she was chewing, then chased it with milk. I dont think hes bad, Andee. He wasnt happy. He worked for the man I bought the ranch from, but he wanted me to pay him more for doing the job hed been doing. I didntdont think thats right. I told him no.
So is that why he got mad and left? What if he comes back?
Dont you worry, okay? Mr. Winkleman thinks I cant do without his help. Tomorrow, well go into town and find someone else.
If youre finished with your sandwich, lets stack these plates in the sink and go see what he was doing with the ostriches. Ill bet its something you and I can handle.