Chirp(13)

He released his hold and stepped back “Yep, ma’am. It’s Saturday. Me-mom fixed pancakes. We saved you some. Can I go play in my tree house?”

“May I go?”

Adjusting the wooden pistol stuck in jeans pocket, he glanced up at her with that aw-shucks expression she loved. “May I go?”

He looked so cute with the kerchief tied around his neck, Hanna wanted to squeeze him. “Sure. Just be careful.”

Noah mounted his imaginary steed, took off his hat and slapped his leg, yelled yee-haw, and raced away. She should be ashamed of herself. No amount of money could buy a healthy, happy, loving child.





Blaze


Blaze heard him coming before he galloped into view.

“Whoa, boy.” Noah untied his bandanna and wiped his brow like he’d been on the trail for days, then dismounted his pretend horse. “You graze right here, Gus. I’m gonna climb up that tree and take a look around.”

As Noah’s boot hit the top rung, Blaze folded her feet under her hips and sat up straight.

He pulled himself to the opening and leveled his gaze on her. “Whatchoo doing here?”

“The new owner of Dessie’s house moved in yesterday and had a sleepover.” Last night Blaze had suffered through the noisy sex twice, but that third time, she couldn’t take it anymore. So at 4:00 a.m., she’d gotten dressed, grabbed her flashlight and pillow, and jogged to the tree house.

“Oh. Does they have kids?”

“No. It’s just a man.”

The young cowpoke crawled in and sat. “Do you gotta move? ’Cause if you do, you can live here.”

“I don’t have to move.” She hesitated, then smiled. “Thank you for offering. I better go.” Rolling onto her knees, she crawled to the door. “See you later.”

Blaze took her time getting back to the house, and before stepping into the clearing, she stopped to check the drive. The bimbo-to-go’s car was gone, but now there was a pickup truck in its place.

Before she could speculate, Rance came from the backyard with a stranger holding a clipboard. The man made notes as Blaze’s new landlord gestured as if telling a story. She waited until they walked into the backyard, then rushed inside.

The laundry room door stood open, and no cats were in sight. Didn’t he remember the note? Her instructions? Zipping down the hallway, she located Janet and Cathy on her bed. After securing them, she returned to look under the chair where the remaining two huddled together.

She scanned the area for damage or accidents, saw none, and relaxed. After a thorough handwashing, she removed ingredients from the pantry, then pulled Dessie’s favorite rolling pin from the drawer and her special pie plate from the hutch. By the time she got the crust ready, Rance came into the room and spoke without looking at her.

“There’s too much pussy in this house. You and the fur balls have to go.”

Blaze glared at him. If he believed that, why was he bringing in more? “Why are you an enemy of cats?”

“I’m not. But you have a whole damn herd.”

“They’re not mine. They belonged to your grandmother. She loved them. Named them after her favorite singing group on The Lawrence Welk Show. I bought the big screen and paid for cable so she could watch them on Hulu.” Blaze pulled out all the stops. She needed to let him know his grandmother wanted her and the cats here.

“Well, Dessie always had a soft spot for taking in strays, but there’s too many of you. You’re cramping my style.”

Blaze’s throat burned. He was playing her. Calling her a stray without coming right out and saying it. Gunning for an argument. But he wasn’t getting one. He was getting pie.

“No, I’m not. I haven’t said anything about that woman you brought here.”

Now Rance glared at her. Mouth tight. Eyes narrowed. “Then why were you trying to spy on me? If you want to watch that can be arranged. I’ll even let you join in.”

“I wasn’t spying. And I don’t want to watch or join in.”

“Yeah, well, this arrangement isn’t going to work for either of us. Best you hit the road.”

“You don’t even want me to finish the pie?” That got his full attention.

He zeroed in on the perfect circle in front of her, and his angry expression softened. “You’re making a pie?”

“Apple.”

He froze. Stared. A vein below his ear jumped. Her heart picked up more speed. If this didn’t work, she’d be out the door right along with the Lennon sisters. Then he stepped closer.

“What else you got?”

“Fried chicken. Mashed potatoes. Cream gravy. Green beans from the freezer.”





Rance


“Dammit to hell.” Rance turned on his heel, headed back outside, and wanted to kick himself. He kept letting this intruder get the best of him. But it’d been too long since he’d had Gran’s fried chicken and apple pie, and if yesterday’s meal indicated his grandmother’s training, his expectations were high.

Almost every dream he’d had in prison was about this place. Helping in the garden. Picking blackberries off the fencerow. Swimming in the pond. Sleeping outside. As soon as the weather warmed, he’d do that again. Another thing he’d missed about freedom—a star-filled sky.