Chapter 73

When I got in the store, my mind was still going over my conversation with Steve. I wondered if that would pull them off from watching Jeb. The paperwork was on file although the actual figures were hidden under the client privilege out of Jerry's firm. Oh well, Jerry would make sure it was legal since he drew it up. Again the women had full baskets, and when I walked up to Kat she held her hand out, smiling at me and my big eyes. Being the typical man, I just handed her my card with a sigh at which Michelle started giggling. I gave her a dirty look but it didn't shut her up. Timmy came over looking at his mom, and then came over where I was standing. He took my hand as I waited for them to check out. Sally came over with raised eye brows looking at all the stuff in the carts.

"Geesh, Dad, do they really think we are going to be able to eat all of that? There has to be enough there for six months. Is there something we haven't been told about yet, like a famine or something?"

I just grinned at her, thinking the same thing, but had better sense that to say something where Kat might hear. She might not say anything to Sally, but I was a different matter. We finally got it all in the back of the truck and even though it was probably my imagination, I could have sworn my truck was sitting a few inches lower in the back. On the way home, Timmy spotted the Ice Cream store and of course we all had to stop for some. We came out after all of them had eaten a huge bowl. Well, not huge, just extra large banana splits for everyone except for me and Timmy. We had a half of one each. I asked Kat if there were any more stops on the agenda and she handed me back my credit card giving me that look, so I just shut my pie hole and smiled. We got in the truck and went home. When we pulled up to the gate, an old decrepit truck was sitting in front of the gate and I recognized it immediately. Jubal and Farley were back and I waved to the guard to let them in. When we parked in front of the house they got out and Verna bailed out running, and jumping in Jubal's arms before I got stopped. He was whirling her around and kissing her at the same time. I had to admit, I was glad to see both of them safe. Timmy was jabbering at Farley about something and Kat and Sally came to my side, watching them with smiles on their faces. Farley shook my hand and I had to grin when he said they drove all night because Jubal couldn't wait to see Verna.

Unloading the truck was easier after the women got everything sorted out and to my surprise it, only took three trips to get it all inside. When I went into the kitchen with the last bags, I noticed Kat and Michelle with their heads together talking and wondered what that was all about. I didn't have to wait long to find out when Michelle went out the back door.

"Jon, Michelle, Timmy and Farley are staying here in the main house tonight. Michelle asked so her mom and Jubal could have a little privacy. Everyone will be eating a late supper here tonight. Will you please carry the bags I left in the foyer to the nursery and set them down? I found some nice stuff I am going to have Tiny and his crew put up when they come back Monday. Are you ok, honey?"

"Couldn't be better, Kat. I am glad to see them back safe. I was just thinking how to break the news to Farley about Myrna leaving. I know he will ask and to be truthful, I kinda dread trying to explain it."

"Jon, Farley's a grown man. Just tell him the truth and let him decide what he wants to do about it. I have a feeling with Jubal being back, Verna will want to go home, and I wouldn't be surprised if we get invited to a wedding soon. Those two have got the bug bad. Why don't you invite Farley out to your office to show him your new guns and let it go from there? I will send Sally out in a little while with some coffee for you both."

"Good idea, hon. Have I told you today that I love you?"

"No, but I love to hear it. I love you too, Jon."

I got a kiss and that impish smile I loved so much before I went looking for Farley. I had an idea where he was since when I got out the door, I could hear Sally and Timmy out back. As I walked around the house, I could hear Sally laughing at Farley and when I saw him, I realized I hadn't introduced him to the dogs yet. I almost broke out laughing at the scene that greeted me when I walked around the house. Farley was up in the tree with both dogs trying to get to him and Sally and Timmy were almost rolling on the ground, laughing at him for yelling at them. I stood for a minute taking it in and smiling before I walked up and called the dogs down.

"Farley, go get Jubal and I will introduce you two to the dogs. If I don't, neither one of you will be able to come outside."

"Dammit, Jon, I came out to give Jubal and Verna a little privacy, and next thing I knew I had two mutts trying to eat me. Will you tell those two laughing hyenas it's not funny?"

I looked at Sally and Timmy who were rolling on the ground laughing. I told Farley to come down and to go get Jubal. He carefully got down watching both dogs as he did and I wondered where the third dog was. I turned to tell the laughing hyenas to get up when Farley yelled; "Jon!"

I turned around and got my question answered. The other dog was between him and the cottage with all its teeth showing as it moved toward him. I almost busted up laughing myself, but called him down and he joined the other two by my side. Farley gave me a dirty look as he went inside. Sally and Timmy were petting all the dogs telling them how good a job they were doing and laughing the whole time. Within a few minutes they both came out with Jubal looking a little red in the face and this time I did laugh out loud. They came over to me and stopped about ten feet in front of me. I took the dogs up and gave them Jubal's name then Farley's, telling them in German they were ok, as I had been taught. Of course, I had no idea what I was saying to them, but it seemed to work as they got up one at a time and sniffed them both. After the sniff, the one took off, while the other two went to the kids with their tongues hanging out. The kids grabbed them by the heads shaking them all around and the dogs both seemed to love it.

Jubal beat a hasty retreat back in the cottage while Farley walked over next to me watching them.

"Jon, are you sure they're safe for the kids to play with?"

"Farley, those dogs are better babysitters than the adults around here. There's nowhere on this property they can go that the dogs aren't watching over them. Actually they are safer with them than with me or anyone else. They know immediately if someone's close or near the property lines and don't hesitate to let us know. They have to be some of the smartest and well trained animals I have ever seen. They play with the kids like they were raised by them and they all have a lot of fun. Let's go to my office for a bit, there's something I need to speak to you about."

He followed me, watching the kids playing with the dogs over his shoulder. When we got inside, he sat down on an empty chair and looked at me expectantly. I proceeded to tell him what had happened with Myrna, and what I had been able to find out about where she had gone before my contacts had lost track of her. He looked at me, and I could see he was disappointed. He just sat for about five minutes thinking before he finally spoke.

"Jon, I don't mind admitting I am disappointed. I never talked about it with Jubal but I think I was falling for her. I don't know if it would have worked out with us being different races, but I shore would have liked to have given it a try."

"Farley, I never put a lot of stock in the race thing myself. If you love someone, who gives a shit what other people think. Love crosses boundaries people don't ever think about. There are examples of it all through our history in France as well as America. I have friends of every race and religion and never thought about their skin color. Hell, if you find a woman that's attractive to you, you don't see what color she is, just how pretty she is. Myrna is a beautiful woman and I feel really bad we didn't get a chance to sit down and talk it all out. If the chemistry was there, I wouldn't have given a shit who didn't like it. No, Farley, even an ole redneck like you can love someone and never think about their skin color, unless some ass says something smart and then you would do as I would, kick his ass and kiss your lady."

He looked at me sharply then grinned, sitting back in the chair. I could see he was doing some heavy thinking by the way he was sitting, not seeing anything around him and seemingly lost in thought. The intercom buzzed and Kat told us Sally was on her way with coffee. I was also reminded to remember to bring my dirty cups in again, as she said we were running short. I looked around the office and there were eight or ten sitting all around the office. I grinned to myself and jumped up when I saw Sally at the door. I opened it and got a big grin from her for it. She looked at Farley and I shook my head no, and she seemed to understand what I was trying to convey. She set the tray down and went back out. I carefully poured myself a cup of it and sat back waiting to see what he would say. He seemed to come to some decision because I watched as his face relaxed and he seemed to become aware of where he was.

"Sorry I spaced out, Jon. You know, you were right. Thinking about it, I don't care about her skin color, but I do care for the woman. Will you help me find her?"

"Farley, I will do all I can. Will you and Jubal be taking Verna and the rest back to her home?"

"God I hope so, I am tired of listening to him whine about missing her. Have you ever sat on a stakeout and heard a woman's name at least a million times in one night? Let me tell you, I was about ready to strangle him a time or two. You know I gave up my career in the Seals when he came to me. He was twelve when his folks were killed and I was my brother's only living relative so it fell to me to take care of him. The day he graduated from Seal training I couldn't have been happier than if he was my own son. I lived vicariously through the missions he went on. When he dropped out to come live with me up in the mountains, I was sad in a way, but happy he was back. Now he is in love and I will lose him again, but once again I am torn between feeling sorry for myself or being happy he has finally found someone he cares for more than me. Let me tell you, emotionally it's like riding a roller coaster. I finally came to the conclusion that if he's happy, then I am happy for him. Jon, do you have a guess where Myrna might have gone?"