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Travis was glad when Ace and Kemp gave an impromptu talk about how they could protect themselves from online predators and still fully enjoy social media and online forums.
Hank arrived late in the afternoon and Travis waved him over to where he sat with Jack and the others at one end of the small arena. Right then, Kate was sharing the story of how she came to live in a special small town in Texas near the end of World War II, and how two flyboys won her heart and her hand.
One of the ladies asked about the connection between Kate and Veronica. Kate looked over at her for approval and then explained that she was Veronica’s distant relation, but never revealed the name of her town. Travis wasn’t surprised when the next question was asked.
“Veronica, since you have family roots based in ménage, would you ever consider being part of a ménage relationship?” Several ladies in the audience sighed dreamily and drew giggles from the others.
Veronica joined Kate at the microphone and said, “Only if I felt the men involved in the relationship were extremely mature and had good communications skills. Ladies, what I plan to write is complete and total fantasy, but that’s not to say that some real-life love stories can’t be fantasies come true.” As she said the last part, she slid her arm around her elderly Grandma Kate and hugged her.
After a couple more questions, Ethan joined Veronica and Kate in the center of the gathering and a number of the ladies’ attentions perked up. He spoke softly to Veronica and then announced over the microphone that dinner was served in the backyard of the Divine Creek Ranch.
Travis held out a hand to her as Veronica separated herself from the crowd when she saw him and Hank waiting off to the side for her.
Travis’s heart thumped in his chest when Veronica reached them and shared a few words and hugs before moving on to escort the group to the canopied area where the food was being served. She looked wired and exhausted. She might make it look easy but that was far from the truth. Doing what needed to be done was taking its toll on her.
As if to prove the point, Hank pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and whispered that Grace had just texted and showed Travis the message. “How’s Veronica doing?”
Hank made a quick, reassuring reply and then slid the phone into his pocket.
Kate came over to greet them and said, “Well, that was tremendous fun.”
Travis and Hank both proffered arms for her and she smiled as she allowed them to escort her to the dinner.
Travis said, “Kate, I enjoyed hearing your story. What an incredible life you’ve lived.”
Kate smiled and nodded. “It has been full…and full of love. The fact that I’ve lived to see today is another one of my satisfying moments in life.”
“What do you mean, Grandma Kate?” Hank asked as he steadied her over the uneven gravel drive.
Kate arched an eyebrow and looked from Hank to Travis. “The Veronica I know could not have accomplished what she did today without the support of two divine men, and the community that cares about them. I think it was an eye-opening experience for her. But she’s tired now. She’ll need you to take care of her a little so she doesn’t push herself past the point where she can function well. A respite is in order, I think.”
Hank patted Kate’s hand and said, “Reading you loud and clear, ma’am. Thank you.”
Veronica hung back as the ladies all entered the backyard and reached for Hank and Travis both in the dark confines by the door of Barn Number One.
She gripped them both and the moonlight reflected in her eyes as she looked up at them and then hugged them both hard. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d been alone when they arrived, besides have a major anxiety attack.”
Hank chuckled and said, “Looks to me like you handled it the way a pro would.”
Veronica frowned and shook her head. “I’m serious. The last time someone showed up on my doorstep it was a creep claiming to be my biggest fan and wanting to marry me. I’m just grateful my neighbor happened to show up and called 911. The shock set off an anxiety attack and I woke up in the emergency room.”
“Damn,” Travis murmured, seeing her accomplishment today in a new light. “Did they arrest the guy?”
