the surprise is part of the gift. It’s a gift, not payment.”
“A gift.” Rising, he took Julia’s hand, kissed it. “Thank you.”
The next thing Dillon knew, his mom made him wash up—again—so he could help Hugh with an errand.
“Um, Leo and Dave are coming over in a couple hours.”
“You’ll be back by then, and if not, we’ll keep them entertained.”
She made him put on his school jacket instead of his work jacket—like anybody cared. Still, he didn’t think he’d mind a ride in the fancy car.
“I appreciate this, Dillon.”
“It’s okay.” After hooking his seat belt, Dillon brushed his fingertips over the leather seat. Smoo—ooth. “This is a really nice car.”
“I like it. Here, you can navigate.” He handed Dillon the directions Julia had written out.
“That’s Mom’s writing.”
“Yes, she’s helping me, too. So tell me, Dillon,” he continued before the boy could ask with what, “what do you want to do, to be, when you’re grown-up?”
“A rancher, just like now. It’s the best. You get to work with animals, especially the horses. And you plant things.”
“It must be a lot of work.”
“Yeah, but it’s still awesome. We get some help in the spring and summer when we need it, but mostly it’s just me and Mom and Gram. You’re going to turn left at the end of our road, head toward Monterey.”
“Got it. You said especially the horses. Do you ride?”
“Sure. That’s the best. But I know how to train them. I saw that movie you were in where you were a rancher, but you used to be a gunfighter.”
“Ah. Into Redemption.”
“Yeah, that’s it. You need to turn left again on that road coming up. You really rode good. Mom let me rent the DVD of this movie you made with Cate and your son, and I guess your dad. We watched it last night because it’s not a school night. You all used accents, even she did. It was weird.”
Hugh laughed, made the turn.
“I meant it was weird for me, I guess, because after a while I kind of forgot who she was, and you and her dad, because it seemed like you were the people in the movie. It’s the next left.”
Slowing, Hugh gave Dillon a long look. “You’ve just given me and my son, my granddaughter, my own father the highest of compliments.”
It felt good to know he had, even if he didn’t quite understand how. “Is it fun, being a movie star?”
“Not always, but it’s awesome being an actor.”
Dillon wasn’t sure what the difference was, but it seemed rude to ask. His mom hated rude.
“Mom says it’s the blue house on the left with the big garage.”
“Looks like we’re here then.”
Hugh pulled into the drive behind a van, a truck. “I appreciate you coming with me.”
“It’s okay. Mom or Gram would have remembered to make me clean my room otherwise.”
“Clever boy,” Hugh murmured as they got out.
Outside the blue ranch house on the short front lawn sat a Big Wheel. A birdhouse hung from the corner eave, and in the front window sat an enormous tabby cat who looked bored at the idea of company.
When Hugh knocked, a din of barking erupted from inside. In the window, the cat yawned. The door opened almost immediately.
Dillon saw a woman older than his mother, younger than his grandmother, with short brown hair and really red lips and really pink cheeks. She pressed a hand to her heart over a shirt with lots of color that looked too fancy for Saturday morning to him.
She said—pretty much squeaked—“Oh, Hugh Sullivan! I just can’t believe—I’m so . . . Come in, come in. I’m Lori Greenspan. I’m just honored.”
Hugh said polite stuff, taking her hand, but Dillon didn’t pay any real attention. Because he got the movie star thing now. People, or some people anyway, got crazy eyes for movie stars. He guessed acting was just a really cool job.
“And you’re Julia’s boy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You come right on in. I hope you’ll excuse the mess,” she said, giving Hugh the crazy eyes again. “I was just doing my Saturday cleaning when you called.”
Not in that shirt, Dillon thought.
“Your home’s just charming, and we appreciate you letting us drop in on your busy day.”
Her already pink cheeks pinked up more at Hugh’s compliment. “I’m never too busy for—” She seemed to catch herself, gave Dillon a quick look. “For good company. Please have a seat. I’ll just be a moment.”
When she scurried out, Dillon looked up at Hugh. “Do lots of people do that