When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,41

where the river makes the double y and that there’s a secret cave underwater.” Purity said.

“To find out, Red would have to dive underwater and find the cave.” Frank said.

Pure nodded.

“That sounds like some pretty good evidence to me. No other reason to go divin’ in that part of the river as the current is too swift. It’s great for white water rafting, but not for swimmin’. I think we got ourselves a plan.”

Emma and Frank thanked the group for meeting with them and apologized for all the inconvenience.

When they were back at the ranch hand quarters, Bobby and Meg helped Jeremy practice what he would say.

“It has to sound casual, like you didn’t plan it,” Bob said.

“What if he don’t bring it up?”

“He won’t bring it up, you’ll have to,” Meg said. “You could say something about how sore everybody was, until they went swimming in the river.”

“Then ya’ll got better, fast.”

“Exactly.”

“I could say it was some kind of miracle or something.”

“That would be excellent. Just remember not to talk about it too much. Let him ask you questions,” Bob said.

“And remember to keep talking about the ranch and the animals, so he doesn’t get suspicious,” Meg added.

“That’s a lot to remember.”

“It sure is. Honey, if it’s too much, just forget about it and have fun, okay. We don’t want this to become some kind of burden for you,” Meg said.

“I can do it, Mom. It’s always fun to outsmart grown-ups!”

Chapter Twenty-Four

When it came time to divvy up the chores, Red pointed to Bobby and Jeremy. “You’re with me. We’re headin’ to the chicken coop for feedin’ time.”

“I love the chickens!” Jeremy said with excitement. “I thought they might peck at me that first day. ‘Cuz I’m puttin’ my hand on their behind and all, but they didn’t seem to mind.”

Red chuckled. “Yeah, I guess they’re pretty used to it by now.”

“Want me to fill the water trough?” Bobby asked.

“Three-fourths of the way would be good.”

Bobby headed far enough way that Jeremy and Red could talk without being overhead, but stayed close enough that if something went wrong, he could come to Jeremy’s aid quickly.

“Small handfuls spread evenly,” Red instructed.

“I like pickin’ eggs better’n feedin’ chickens.”

“How come?”

“I like seein’ the different sizes and colors of the eggs.”

“That’s one thing about a ranch, there’s always somethin’ interestin’ to see and do.”

“Some things make your muscles hurt, though. Like that first day we was here. Everybody was hurtin’ by nightfall.”

“The first few days at the Double Y are hard on city folk. There’s a lot of muscles they ain’t never used before. It’s good for ya, though.”

“The hot water helps. Everybody felt better after they sat in the hot water for a while.”

“You mean the bathtub?”

“No. The hot water. There was some name they called it.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I forget. But they sure felt better when they came back from the river.”

“There’s no hot water at the river. I think you’re confused.”

Jeremy shook his head. “The hot water ain’t in the river, but you got to go in the river to find the hot water.”

“That don’t make sense.”

“There’s a cave or somethin’, but it’s under the water. You know where the river makes the double y?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s where they said the cave was. You swim down to it and then go into it and you come out on the other side in this hot water. I don’t really understand it, but they said it was awesome. They’re gonna take me in a couple days. I’ll tell you all about it then.”

“I’ll look forward to hearin’ about it.”

“Do you think all rivers have secret caves?”

“I’ve never heard of even one river having one.”

“How come roosters crow when the sun rises?”

Red was lost in thought and didn’t hear the question.

“Red?”

“What’s that?”

“I asked how come roosters crow when the sun rises?”

“I’m gonna be right back, Jeremy. I need to tend to somethin’ right quick.”

“Okay.” Jeremy tossed more feed toward the waiting chickens.

Bobby joined him. “How’d it go?”

“I should get an Oscar.”

Bobby chuckled and tousled Jeremy’s hair. “Maybe you’ve found your calling.”

“You can lie for a living?”

“Sure. Politicians do it all the time.”

“He said he had to tend to something.”

Bobby looked around to find Red and Bart with their heads together. “I think he’s filling Bart in on what you told him. We should know soon if they took the bait.”

“What if they don’t?”

Bobby shrugged. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Bart and Red had several short conversations during the next hour and