Zach
The demand to return the violin never came when he advised Colton’s grandfather what it was worth.
“I’ll be kicked by a mule,” was all he said before handing it back to Zach.
Everyone buzzed with excitement, but from what he could hear, it wasn’t about the priceless violin, it was becausehewas going to play it for everyone.
“This is special,” Colton said. “We don’t get to play together as a family often.”
Zach left the violin with the sheriff, not that anyone in the house would take it, and made his way to the kitchen. Nanette, Betty, Maddie, and two women Zach never met were hard at work when he entered.
“Zach,” Nanette said, and everyone turned. “Did you need something?”
The way everyone looked at him, he thought he’d interrupted a private meeting. “No ma’am, but with all the family here, I thought you could use an extra set of hands. I can’t cook, but I can carry and fetch.”
“You’re a guest.” She smiled and shooed him off. “Go sit with the others.”
He didn’t like sitting around with nothing to do. It gave him too much time to think. Too much thinking made him moody and sad, and he wouldn’t do that today. “The way you and your family have treated me, I don’t feel like a guest.”
“I know, and I love you for wanting to help, but if you don’t mind, my grandson Tyler is dying to meet you.” She smiled. “He’s been waiting since he got here.”
She always asked him to entertain family with his fiddle. It reminded him of something his grandfather told him about using people right: ‘Ain’t no sense usin’ a sledge when a tap’ll do.’ Zach was good at keeping people busy, so they didn’t get in the way of those doing real work.
“Sure. But….”
“What?” She gave him a concerned gaze.
It was probably stupid, but the way everyone acted, he didn’t think they truly understood. “Are you sure it’s okay to play the violin Mr. Hanlon gave me? It’s… it’s one of a kind.”
“If you don’t play that one, Jerry is gonna fuss and grumble all day.” Betty said with a smirk. “He’s mighty proud of himself for buying a world-famous violin for a hundred dollars.”
Zach’s eyes nearly burst from his head. “He bought it for a hundred dollars?”
“He did.” Betty chuckled. “I damn near skinned him alive for spending so much on a useless fiddle. Fifty years ago, a hundred dollars was a lot of money for us to spend on something we didn’t need.”
“It’s like that show where people find junk in their attic and bring it to the people to look at,” Maddie said. “Everyone is hoping they have a priceless antique and almost no one does.”
Before Zach could answer, a gangly tween in new Wranglers and cowboy boots rushed in the kitchen. “Mawmaw…?”
He skidded to a halt a few feet from Zach and stared up with awe in his face.
“Tyler, this is Zachariah,” Nanette said.
Holding out his hand, Zach smiled and said, “Nice meeting you, Tyler. I hear you’re a darn fine fiddle player. Would you mind if we played a bit?”
“Me?” Tyler looked to Nanette, who gave him a nod and a gentle smile. Tyler bounced a little on his toes. “Yes, sir. That would be… I mean, for real?”
God, was this kidfor real?
Colton snorted. “Lord, you’re famous now. Go on, kiddo, grab your fiddle and come play.”
“Colton!” Tyler’s face went bright red. “Jeez!”
Then the kid disappeared in a flash.
Nanette rolled her eyes, but she was laughing softly. “Be nice, Colton. He’s only a baby.”
“Bah, he’ll be dating before you know it.”
