Once a Father by Kathleen Eagle Page B

went on talking. “I knew you two would hit it off. Not that I know Logan all that well, but I couldn’t just… Oh, these are good.” Sally pointed to a small chair on wheels as she rolled her armed and adjustable office chair closer to the computer display. “This is great. Can I use these?”
    â€œI was hoping you’d be able to use them. I got the camera at the PX two months ago, and I’m stilllearning how to use it. Are they any good?” Mary scooted in close to watch the slide show of the tipi from all angles standing tall and timeless against the horizon, the sky spreading its morning and evening mantles over the camp, sunlight flashing in the creek and the claybank mustang—the star attraction. Yes, they were good.
    â€œIt’s beautiful out there. It’s like stepping back in time. Very peaceful. I really just want to stay out there and be peaceful, you know? Real R and R. Leave time. Take leave of everything but my senses.” She laid her hand on Sally’s slight shoulder. “Sounds a little too Zen for South Dakota, doesn’t it?”
    â€œI don’t know Zen from Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it sounds Lakota.” Sally turned, suddenly aglow. “I think I might be getting married.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œWe’ve been talking about it a lot.” Sally rolled her eyes and sighed. The glow dimmed. “But I don’t know if it’s fair to Hank. I’ve had a really good run these last few months, but the monster is sucking on my nerves again. I went down on one knee the other night, and Hank said it was about time I proposed.”
    â€œNice guy.”
    â€œI know. Stupid to let one like that get away.” She tipped her head back against the headrest. “But I think we should wait. I want him to know what he’d be getting into.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter, Sally. He’s a good man, and he loves you.”
    â€œOh, come on, that’s so ‘Hollywood.’” Sally smiled again. “But I do enjoy a feel-good movie once in a while and Hank makes me feel wonderful and I haven’t scared him off yet but if I wait around long enough…” She took a breath. “I don’t want to wait.”
    â€œSounds like he doesn’t either.”
    â€œHe says he’s ready any time.” Sally glanced at the computer screen. “He’s gone a lot with his job as a rodeo medic. A show here, three shows over there.” Three tipi shots rolled past. “But I think it could work. He wouldn’t have to be around me all the time, you know? I can be pretty hard to live with.” She laughed. “Just ask my sister.”
    â€œWhere is Cheekers, anyway?” Mary grimaced. She’d uttered the C word. Poor Ann.
    Poor Ann? She’d shaped up, studied up, kept up with a teaching job and a ranching operation and met up with a wonderful man. Of course, the man was icing on the cake. Cake was fine without icing. Marry him, don’t marry him, life could be good either way. It was all in the attitude.
    â€œShe’s supervising volunteers down at the barn. Zach’s hauling in hay.”
    â€œYou have a lot going on here, Sally. Maybe Hank wants to be part of it.”
    â€œOh, he absolutely is. He’s a terrific ferrier. He’sgreat with the horses. He’s, you know…he’s used to traveling all over the place, which is great. It’s exciting. I used to be a rodeo stock contractor before the MS, and then…” Sally gestured expansively. “Well, you know. How much down time does it take before you start feeling antsy?”
    â€œDoes Hank seem antsy?”
    â€œNot so far. He goes on the road when it’s time, does his job.” She tucked her hand under her chin and smiled dreamily. “And then he comes back to me. But we’ve only been together—”
    â€œHe strikes me as a man who knows his own mind.” Mary drew a