Page 6 (2/2)

“Buffalo Friday and Saturday night”

“Deal” Dalton stood “Night, John-Boy”

“Night, Mary Ellen” Tell snagged the afghan off the back of the couch and let sleep overtake hiot Landon cleaned up and fed, they headed to town It was one of those perfect Wyo above an enorh bite of cold in the air to remind him winter had ended but suy and ran froym to the sandpit and every place in between before he decided to shinny up the monkey bars

Tell chased the boy, ran when Landon chased hiht and tickled Finally Landon settled into the sandpit to dig—an activity that’d keep hirass, letting the sun warloomy winter Seelow like a fat barn cat when he had a chance

Not long after he hit that perfect relaxation point, a shadow fell across hi to open his eyes and see his father looia Hotchkiss’s beautiful face swarinned at her “Well, it’s my lucky week if I’ve seen you twice in as many days, sweetness”

“It is you I wasn’t sure”

“What threw you off?”

Her gazeboots up to his face “Might’ve been that ball cap you’re wearing instead of a cowboy hat”

Just then Landon skidded to a stop, spraying Tell’s legs with sand “Watch me!” The boy jumped over Tell and sped around the peri racecar noises

“Pity the kid doesn’t have any energy to burn off,” Tell said dryly

“How old is he?” Georgia asked

“Four”

“What’s his name?”

“Landon”

“Great name Your son looks a lot like you”

Tell pushed to his feet “Whoa That’s not my kid That’s my brother Luke’s kid”

“Oh Sorry I just assu for Luke or soe look “Sounds cryptic”

“You probably haven’t heard the story since you’ve been gone Luke died a few years ago Before he died, he’d stepped out on his wife and knocked up this chick he met in a bar She didn’t come forward until Landon was sixteen ot an inforreeia’s eyes “Oh my God, Tell I had no idea that Luke had died… I’m so sorry”

“Thanks” He kicked a clu a brother sucks ass”

“Yes, it does I would’ve loved to have a surprise nephew or niece show up in my life” She scowled “But that’s an iirlfriend is now married to my ex-husband”