When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,36

stomach ache tonight,” Meg said.

“Reminds me of the Halloween candy incident,” Bob said.

“Man, we were sick that night,” Jacob said.

“Why don’t you give your Mom a whirl on the dance floor,” Bob said.

“I don’t really dance well.”

“I’ll teach you. Come on, it’ll be fun.” Meg put her hand in Jacob’s and led him toward the dance floor. “They’re doing a line dance. Just follow what they do.”

Jacob seemed to be a step or two behind, but after a few rounds he got the hang of it.

“You’re pretty good,” Meg said.

“How do you know what to do? You’re not even lookin’ at anyone else.”

“I’ve line danced before. Most of the moves are similar. Besides,” Meg shrugged her shoulders, “if I don’t like what they’re doing, I just make up my own steps.”

Jeremy joined them, this time with an ear of corn in each hand.

“Bobby, hang on to those for him, he’s going to choke.”

“He’ll be fine.”

Meg glared at her husband, but kept on dancing.

“This is fun!” Jeremy hollered and grinned.

Purity and Alex were drinking glasses of lemonade while sitting next to Frank and Emma.

“Are you enjoying yourselves?” Emma asked.

“Yes, very much,” Pure said.

“I heard there was some excitement this afternoon.”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Alex said.

“There’s a sayin’ about what happens in Vegas stayin’ in Vegas.”

“I know that saying.”

“It’s true of the Double Y, as well. We invite people to come here with the understanding that they’re here to learn about caring for the animals and what it’s like to live on a ranch. We don’t appreciate people snooping around on our property and drumming up attention.”

“Well, it’s a good thing we weren’t doing that then.”

Frank put his hand on Emma’s. “What she means is that we feel like our guests are family. We respect ‘em. And we hope that they’ll respect us, too.”

“Why don’t you quit dancing around and say what you mean,” Alex said.

“All right. I know you been to the hot springs. Ya’ll were tore up this mornin’ and now you’re dancin’ and gettin’ along without any pain, stiffness or soreness. There’s only one explanation for that.”

“What about all the salves and muscle relaxers you gave us? Those could have done the trick.” Purity said.

“We just hope you’ll keep its whereabouts to yourself. People been lookin’ for that spring for a long time. We tell ‘em it ain’t real. That it’s just a myth. Some back off. Some don’t.”

“Like the men this morning?” Purity said.

“And the men who poisoned the cows’ water?” Alex asked.

“Everybody has their reasons for doin’ things, but if someone were to find out where that spring was, well, we’d have a real mess on our hands.”

“Have you told anyone?” Emma asked.

Purity shook her head. Alex did the same.

“We don’t have any intention of saying anything to anyone,” Alex said. “Have you ever had the spring tested to find out what properties are in it?”

“Sure. Several times.”

“And?” Purity asked.

“Plain ol’ water compounds, mixed in with some other natural elements. It’s a mystery as to why it heals people. Maybe that’s part of the reason it works.”

“What do you mean?” Purity said.

“Because you can’t explain it. Maybe you have to believe first, then you receive your miracle.”

“Is that how you two have stayed so young looking?” Pure asked.

“No. Our grandkids keep us young,” Emma said.

“And sex,” Frank added with a wink. “Lots of good ol’ fashioned sexual relations.”

“Frank!” Emma’s cheeks tinted pink.

“Hear that, Alex. We don’t need a magic hot spring, we just need to keep having sex.”

“That’s a hardship I think I can endure most willingly.”

Brad approached their table. “Emma, may I pull you away from your adoring husband for a trip around the dance floor?”

“Why I’d love to. The conversation was taking a bit of an uncomfortable turn anyway.”

Brad held out his hand and escorted Emma to the dance floor.

“She’s just as beautiful as the day we met. Hasn’t changed a bit,” Frank said, his eyes filled with love. He saw Courtney standing alone. “Excuse me for a minute, will ya. Turnabout is fair play.”

Purity and Alex watched as Frank asked Courtney to dance. They did a mean bow to the corner of their square and then promenaded around in a circle.

“Do you think when we’re old, we’ll look at each other the way Emma and Frank do?” Pure asked.

“I’m certain of it.”

“Wouldn’t it be funny if we started a ranch of our own and invited city folk to vacation with us?”

“What would we call it?” Alex asked.

“Something reflective of our love, and our family.”