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Ben tucked his paycheck into the front pocket of his heavy flannel shirt and edged toward the back door of the kitchen. “Guess I’ll be goin’, then.”
“I still don’t see why you won’t eat with us.” Dana looked up from the lettuce she’d started chopping for salad and waved the knife blade in his direction. “You could meet the new neighbor and his girl, and we’re having good steaks on the grill.”
Ben harrumphed. “Cain’t chew them steaks, anyway. My new teeth don’t work.”
“I could grill you a nice juicy hamburger.”
Ben shuddered. “No, ma’am.”
“Cottage cheese, then? A grilled cheese sandwich?”
“You know I like eating by myself in front of Wheel of Fortune and turnin’ in early. But thanks for the invite.”
At the sound of Molly’s feet thundering down the stairs, he settled his stained Resistol low over his brow and started out the door. “Tomorrow I’ll be headin’ up into the north pasture, ma’am. Fencin’. Since the boy’s out of school now, he’s welcome to come along.”
The door closed behind him as Molly slid into the kitchen on her stocking feet and handed over the cordless landline phone receiver. “Did you hear me? It’s Grandma. She’s kinda in a hurry, so you better answer.”
“One of these days we’re going to get that man to join us for regular meals,” Dana muttered. “I swear he’s more of a recluse with every passing year.”
“Recluse?” Vivian’s sharp voice was audible even though the receiver was still far from Dana’s ear. “Are you talking about me?”
Grinning, Molly leaned both elbows on the counter and propped her chin on her hands to listen.
Dana shooed her away. “Go set the table. Now.”
After Molly turned away to gather plates and start setting the round oak table in the corner, Dana took a steadying breath. “Hi, Mom.”
“I haven’t seen you in a week. What have you been doing?”
“Office calls. Vet calls. Chores around the ranch...nothing new.”
“And how is Tom?” The thinly veiled accusation in Vivian’s voice suggested that she already knew. “You’re so lucky, Dana Marie. He’s a fine man. Did you enjoy the Cattlemen’s dinner Saturday night?”
“Actually, no.” Taking the phone with her, Dana stepped over Gabe again and went back to her cutting board and the lettuce.
A long silence fell. “You didn’t enjoy your evening?”
“He and I didn’t have one. We had a talk, Mom. We both agreed that there wasn’t much future for us.”
“You need a father for those children. Tom is a good man with a good heart,” Vivian said firmly. “You couldn’t do better.”
“I don’t love him, Mom. If I ever get married again, I want shooting stars and fireworks. I want to feel as if the earth has stopped in its tracks, just for me.”
“Foolish dreams. It’s not too late to change your mind. I can call him—”
“Mother!”
“I only want what’s best for you, dear, and for the children. You need to be thinking about them.”
“I do. All the time.”
“There are a lot of men around who’d be a bad choice. Old mistakes are best not repeated, don’t you think?”
“I don’t plan to, Mom.” Dana lifted her gaze to the window and watched Ben hobbling back to his cabin, then gave Molly a thoughtful look. Someone had been talking to Mom about Zach. Ben? One of the kids? Maybe even Francie.
“Then keep your distance from Forrester. A few years difference doesn’t make him a better man. I remember like yesterday how you felt when he dumped you flat and disappeared. You think he wouldn’t do that again?”
Gritting her teeth, Dana silently counted to ten. She means well, she really does.
