Caribou Crossing by Susan Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

was willing but more haphazard. Wade knew his own role after all these years of marriage, so he carried and carved.
    Once they were all seated and had dished out the first serving, there was little conversation. When they went back for seconds, Evan said, “You’re an excellent cook, Mrs. Bly. I’ve missed your cooking.”
    â€œThanks. I’m sorry we haven’t had you out to the ranch before, but we’ve been so busy getting settled.”
    In town, Evan had walked home with Jessie after school a couple of times a week. They played together and did homework, and Evan often stayed for dinner. He could put away food like no one’s business. God knows where it went; the boy was as skinny as barbed wire.
    â€œIt’s okay.” Evan’s busy fork paused and he hung his head. “It’s not like I can walk here, like I did when you were in town. But at least Jess and I will still see each other at school after New Year’s.”
    â€œBut that’s not enough,” Jessie protested. “You have to come out here sometimes.”
    â€œWe’ll work it out,” Miriam promised. “I can bring you out to the ranch when I pick Jessica up after school, you can stay for dinner if it’s okay with your parents, and then Wade can drive you back after.” Clearly, she’d thought it out, though she hadn’t discussed it with Wade. He had better things to do with his evenings, like chop firewood and repair equipment, not to mention bring himself up to speed on the latest government regulations and figure out his pa’s antiquated filing system.
    â€œIt’d be okay with my folks,” Evan said quickly. “Are you sure?”
    The kid looked so eager, so hopeful. Jessie had said he didn’t make friends easily, which didn’t surprise Wade one bit. Oh hell, maybe he was getting as softhearted as his womenfolk. “Hey,” he said, “we need you, Evan. Without you, how’s Jessie going to pass second grade?”
    â€œPa-a.” Jessica rolled her eyes.
    â€œI suppose that’s true, sir,” Evan said thoughtfully.
    Wade and Miriam exchanged a glance of mutually suppressed laughter.
    Jessica snorted. “Horses are more fun than homework.”
    â€œSchoolwork’s important,” the boy said. “You have to learn and get good marks if you’re going to get ahead in the world.”
    Was he parroting his parents? Parents had dreams for their kids. Wade’s had been that Jessica would love ranching as much as he did, but his girl had a mind of her own and it was set on horses, not cattle.
    â€œWell said, Evan,” Miriam commented. “You’re right.”
    â€œYeah, well,” Jessie grumbled, “Ev’s a klutz when it comes to the stuff I’m good at.”
    The boy shrugged awkwardly. “Yeah. I suppose we all excel at different things.”
    Wade stifled a grin at the adult phrasing. Now that the kid had his own dictionary, God knows what might come out of his mouth.
    â€œAnd it’s nice of you to help Jessica,” Miriam said. “Now, who wants more stuffing?”
    They ate until they were as stuffed as the turkey had been. Then the kids went up to Jessica’s room to play with some of her new toys. While Miriam tidied up the kitchen, Wade went out to tend the horses. When he came back in, he called upstairs. “Evan, I should take you home now. It’s getting close to bedtime.”
    The pair came downstairs a few minutes later, Evan wearing the navy sweater under his thin jacket, his backpack showing the outline of his dictionary, and the jigsaw puzzle clasped tightly in his arms.
    As usual, Miriam handed him a plastic bag of leftovers, which he accepted with a muttered “Thank you, Mrs. Bly.”
    Jessie was yawning and Miriam said, “Bedtime for you, my girl. I’ll tuck you in and we can start reading one of your new books.” His wife and