him the number, and felt a sense of something imminent as he hit Save. They were connected now. She had his number in her phone, but had only felt the freedom to use it should she need help, because that was the offer when he left it.
“Got it,” Duke said, and then dropped the phone back in his pocket. “I guess I’d better get those batteries for the game cameras and get back to the farm. Today is Hope’s day off, and I usually find something to do so that they have some time at home together.”
“So you’ve all always lived together,” Cathy said.
“Yes, but I’ve always thought that if they ever decided to start a family, I would move out. I should probably do that now, but the convenience of Jack and me being in the same place tending the farm is too easy to give up. Maybe I’ll just build a house of my own somewhere on the property…or they might want the new house, in which case I’d happily stay with the family home. Even if it’s too big for one person, it’s still home.”
“I’ll bet it’s lovely out there,” Cathy said.
Duke looked at her, trying not to drown in those deep-blue eyes.
“I’d love to show you sometime…when you’re up to a trip and a little walking, of course.”
“Oh, I would love that,” Cathy said.
“Awesome,” Duke said. “Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. If you don’t already have other plans, I am officially inviting you to dinner with the family, and just know that will also include Mercy and Lon, and whoever else Hope and Jack might invite.”
“I can’t think of anything better,” Cathy said. “I happily accept.”
Duke beamed, and before he thought, took her by the shoulders and was about to kiss her on the cheek when he caught himself and stopped. Instead, he just gave her shoulders a quick squeeze. “I’ll talk to you soon. Call if you need me,” he said and then let himself out.
Cathy sighed. There for a moment she’d thought he’d been going to kiss her. She wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed it hadn’t happened, or relieved things weren’t moving too fast.
Duke put all of his rain gear back on and made a run for his truck. Once inside, he glanced up at the house and saw her standing at the window.
He waved.
She smiled and waved back.
He didn’t remember one single minute of the drive home.
Chapter 6
Lon was well aware of the dejected look on the little boy’s face. He’d never had a runaway like this one before.
“Uh…you said your mother kept you out of school a lot?”
Melvin Lee nodded. “Yes, sir. They held me back in first grade ’cause I can’t read so good. I missed too much school, I reckon.”
“So, is it rough being held back?” Lon asked, as he braked at the stoplight, then saw the little boy’s eyes well.
“The guys laughed. They said I must be dumb.”
“Didn’t your school tell your mother you can’t miss a lot of school?”
“I don’t know,” Melvin Lee said. “All I know is I don’t get to go every day. You sure you’re gonna talk to her?”
Lon nodded. “I’m absolutely positive. Don’t worry. Your life is about to change in a good way. That I can promise.”
Melvin Lee beamed.
“Thanks, Chief!”
“No problem,” Lon said.
The light turned green and he accelerated through the intersection, then took a right at the next street and pulled up in the driveway of a pretty yellow house with brown trim.
“Here we are,” Lon said.
Melvin Lee looked up just as his mother came running out onto the porch. He sighed, then unbuckled his seat belt and grabbed the bag with his clothes.
“Hang on, Melvin Lee. I’ll get the door for you,” Lon said. He got out in the rain and circled the car to get his passenger, then kept his hand on Melvin Lee’s shoulder as he walked him up the steps to the house, carrying the bag with the little boy’s clothes.
Junie fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Melvin Lee…you scared me to death. What happened? Why did you run away?”
Lon’s hand was still on the boy’s shoulder. “Tell your mama, then go on in the house.”
“I’m not taking care of no more babies,” Melvin Lee said, and then shrugged out of her arms and dragged his bag into the house.
Junie stood abruptly, and she was frowning. “What’s going on here?”
Lon stared straight into her eyes. “Keep in mind I can