Plant Them Deep by Aimee & David Thurlo Page A

point.It was from her son, telling anyone who dropped by that he was away visiting a patient and would be back later this evening. There was probably another tacked to the front of the medicine hogan.
    Rose sighed softly. That explained where her daughter-in-law and grandson were. Her son had started taking his family with him whenever he had to drive long distances to see a patient and it was afterschool hours. Loretta and Julian would usually remain nearby playing while Clifford went in to take care of business. They were able to spend more time together as a family and that had eased some of the tension between him and his wife, who’d complained that he was always away with a patient.
    Picking up the phone in the living room, Rose called Ella and recounted what had taken place with thetruck. “I’m fine, so you don’t have to worry. I also took photos of the tire tracks.”
    “What else do you remember? Did you see the driver?”
    “No, I didn’t,” Rose answered. “I had to concentrate on my driving.”
    “Mom, unfortunately, there are a lot of tan pickups around. I need something more. Was it new or old?”
    “I’m not sure. It was just a regular pickup—not new, not shiny … so, yes, maybe old.”
    “Was there anything distinctive about it?”
    “Yes. It distinctly tried to run me off the road.”
    “No, I mean—Never mind. Do you think it might have been a drunk driver?”
    “No, there was purpose to this. It wasn’t random. Your brother’s home is the only one down that particular road.”
    “The teens around here are always in a hurry, going nowhere fast, I’ll look into it, and tell you if I find outanything. But Mom, you really should start carrying a cell phone. If you did, you could call for help immediately if you’re ever in trouble.”
    “I don’t want a cell phone. I have no wish to be within everyone’s reach every moment of the day. I’ve done fine without a portable phone all my life, and I’ll continue to be perfectly all right without it in the future.”
    “Will you at least think aboutit?”
    “All right, but I still don’t think I’ll change my mind.”
    “Are you going home now?”
    “No, I’ve still got some things to do. Before I get in touch with the other Plant Watchers and tell everyone what’s happened to Lena, I have to give the news to Clara Henderson in person. Somehow, I have to soften the shock for her. Then I’ll go by my friend’s house and help her housesitter get settled.I’ll see you later tonight, but don’t wait up for me.”
    Rose hung up, left a note for Clifford asking him to go see Lena as soon as possible, then got ready to leave. Despite everything, she had to admit she’d never felt more alive. She was a woman on a mission and that gave her an incredible sense of purpose. Now, after all these years, she was finally beginning to understand why Ella was a copand what drove her. They weren’t that different after all.

EIGHT

    R ose drove to Professor Hoff’s house the following morning and arrived around six-thirty. She loved the early morning hours. It was a time of peace and signaled a new beginning. All things were fresh, and possibilities seemed more like youthful promises.
    Although she was early, she saw Willie watering his front yard with a handheld sprinkler attached to the garden hose. He wavedas she pulled up and parked. Hoff’s dog was lying on the porch, resting his massive head between his paws.
    Willie went over and turned off the water, then coiled the hose neatly by the water faucet as she approached carrying the borrowed camera, notepads, and a map of the area they’d be visiting.
    “I’m glad you’re early. I’ve been looking forward to this so much, I got up early too. Kenmore wouldlove to go as well,” he said, glancing down at the dog, who’d stood up, stretched, then walked casually over to where they were standing. “Do you mind if I take him with us? We could go in my SUV Kenmore’s very good on