now filled the interior of the truck. It was much safer to keep her eyes on the scenery along Highway 14 than shoot glances his way. She attempted to concentrate on what lay outside the vehicle, but her worries centered on Rita and any threat to the life of the baby she carried.
Was Creighton worried, or did he just pray?
He had pounded on her door before 6:00 that morning, gruffly related that Rita was hospitalized, and asked if she could be ready to leave for Lincoln a half hour later.
Silence was heavy in the pickup. Creighton wore a frown.
A hawk on a post caught Shana’s eye. She turned to look out the back window. Perhaps her eyes were deceiving her.
“What do you see?” Creighton asked.
“Now, that’s curious.” She swung back to face him. “I thought I saw a hawk on that post back there. But it wasn’t. It was a squirrel. Weird to see a squirrel so far from trees.”
“Quirk of nature, I guess.”
“They’re quirky on campus.” Shana smiled at the memory. “I used to see squirrels and their silly antics on city campus. During the summer, it was common to walk past a noisy trash receptacle. Closer inspection revealed the tip of a squirrel’s tail peeking from the rim. Once on their way, they’d rattle the leaves and bushes and race out in front of students and instructors. I’ve seen them with nuts, leaves in their paws and sticks in their mouths.”
The university felt like it was a world away.
Creighton slowed down for the low speed limit through Neligh and pulled into the gas station. “If you want anything you’d better get it now. I don’t plan to stop again unless you really need a restroom.”
“Haven’t had enough coffee yet.”
Before long, the gas pump shut off.
Creighton walked into the building. On the road again, Creighton said, “Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I know the ride’ll go faster if we talk. Have you thought about what you need to do after we’ve seen Rita at the hospital?”
“I’ll check in with my parents. And the Center.” She clutched her middle.
“Something wrong?”
Creighton saw too much.
“I hope not. Dad said I needed to stop at the bank about my account. I called and they’ve frozen my account until the matter is cleared. I’ll need to make that stop in Lincoln.” She stretched her arms. “I am ready to face things. I’m expected to revamp the youth program, securing my future at The Pines. If Rita has to be off work, I may need to make some adjustments to cover for her.” She put pressure on a sore point in her shoulder. “Put the degree on hold again.”
“You can’t bury your head in the sand long before you start choking.” He kept his eyes on the road, the crease between his eyes deepened.
Tension made the cab seem smaller.
“I thought I’d be at the ranch the full two weeks.” Prospects of an uncertain future trembled through her voice. “Your corner of Nebraska is growing on me.”
“You are an emotional one, aren’t you?”
“Hazard of being an only child.”
“You know you can stay as long as you need to. Nobody’s reserved the cabin, and probably won’t before spring.” He turned to look at her. “I know what it’s like to avoid facing things.” A muscle popped in his jaw. “Been there. Done that. If you need the time, you’ve got a place to spend it in.”
She smiled her appreciation.
Would Creighton ever share what he tried to escape by living out there in the boonies? Surely his talents rose above handyman activities and landlord business? He reached over and took her hand in his.
She threaded her fingers in his, and then closed her eyes at the contact.
“Thank you for being my friend, Creigh.”
He squeezed her hand and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “Now that we agree on that point, what should we talk about?”
“I really didn’t have any friends until Rita. As an only child and with Mom and Dad in their upper years, they spoiled me and pretty much kept me occupied so I never
Was Creighton worried, or did he just pray?
He had pounded on her door before 6:00 that morning, gruffly related that Rita was hospitalized, and asked if she could be ready to leave for Lincoln a half hour later.
Silence was heavy in the pickup. Creighton wore a frown.
A hawk on a post caught Shana’s eye. She turned to look out the back window. Perhaps her eyes were deceiving her.
“What do you see?” Creighton asked.
“Now, that’s curious.” She swung back to face him. “I thought I saw a hawk on that post back there. But it wasn’t. It was a squirrel. Weird to see a squirrel so far from trees.”
“Quirk of nature, I guess.”
“They’re quirky on campus.” Shana smiled at the memory. “I used to see squirrels and their silly antics on city campus. During the summer, it was common to walk past a noisy trash receptacle. Closer inspection revealed the tip of a squirrel’s tail peeking from the rim. Once on their way, they’d rattle the leaves and bushes and race out in front of students and instructors. I’ve seen them with nuts, leaves in their paws and sticks in their mouths.”
The university felt like it was a world away.
Creighton slowed down for the low speed limit through Neligh and pulled into the gas station. “If you want anything you’d better get it now. I don’t plan to stop again unless you really need a restroom.”
“Haven’t had enough coffee yet.”
Before long, the gas pump shut off.
Creighton walked into the building. On the road again, Creighton said, “Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I know the ride’ll go faster if we talk. Have you thought about what you need to do after we’ve seen Rita at the hospital?”
“I’ll check in with my parents. And the Center.” She clutched her middle.
“Something wrong?”
Creighton saw too much.
“I hope not. Dad said I needed to stop at the bank about my account. I called and they’ve frozen my account until the matter is cleared. I’ll need to make that stop in Lincoln.” She stretched her arms. “I am ready to face things. I’m expected to revamp the youth program, securing my future at The Pines. If Rita has to be off work, I may need to make some adjustments to cover for her.” She put pressure on a sore point in her shoulder. “Put the degree on hold again.”
“You can’t bury your head in the sand long before you start choking.” He kept his eyes on the road, the crease between his eyes deepened.
Tension made the cab seem smaller.
“I thought I’d be at the ranch the full two weeks.” Prospects of an uncertain future trembled through her voice. “Your corner of Nebraska is growing on me.”
“You are an emotional one, aren’t you?”
“Hazard of being an only child.”
“You know you can stay as long as you need to. Nobody’s reserved the cabin, and probably won’t before spring.” He turned to look at her. “I know what it’s like to avoid facing things.” A muscle popped in his jaw. “Been there. Done that. If you need the time, you’ve got a place to spend it in.”
She smiled her appreciation.
Would Creighton ever share what he tried to escape by living out there in the boonies? Surely his talents rose above handyman activities and landlord business? He reached over and took her hand in his.
She threaded her fingers in his, and then closed her eyes at the contact.
“Thank you for being my friend, Creigh.”
He squeezed her hand and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. “Now that we agree on that point, what should we talk about?”
“I really didn’t have any friends until Rita. As an only child and with Mom and Dad in their upper years, they spoiled me and pretty much kept me occupied so I never
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