Coffee Scoop by Kathleen Y'Barbo Read Free Book Online Page B

 
    “We can go on back downstairs,” Mr. Renfro said. “I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable.”
    His assistant leaned over to speak into his ear. Mr. Renfro shook his head. “Tell ‘em I’ve been delayed,” he said as he reached past Carrie to open the door to the stairwell. “Now come on with me, Miss Collins. I’ll show you to my office.”
    “No, wait,” Carrie said. “I’m terribly sorry for inconveniencing you. I just wasn’t expecting. . .” She turned to point at the helicopter “. . .this. It will be fine if you want to be interviewed aboard. . .” Her voice cracked and she swallowed hard. “. . .aboard that,” she managed.
    Mr. Renfro squinted in her direction. “Are you sure?”  
    Carrie nodded and allowed him to escort her to the helicopter. Once inside, she went through the motions of buckling up while the pilot flipped switches and checked gauges.  
    George Renfro settled in beside her and adeptly fastened himself in. “You ever flown in a whirly bird, Miss Collins?”
    “My flights are generally in something a little larger,” she shouted over the whine of the engines. The helicopter lurched and so did Carrie’s stomach. A moment later the helicopter lifted then, as they cleared the roof, abruptly tilted nose down.  
    Her companion offered a warm smile. “It’s supposed to do that.”
    Soon the chopper buzzed past the buildings of downtown and headed off westward into the wide expanse of blue/gray sky. Ten minutes later the pilot set down in a grassy field on the edges of what looked to be a farm.
    Mr. Renfro released his restraints then helped Carrie with hers. A moment later they both stood on the ground, the chopper blades kicking up a windstorm behind them.
    “Over there,” he pointed, indicating a modest barn painted dark red and circled by an odd collection of busses and vans. “I’d like you to see this.”
    Carrie followed her host, stepping inside to find a horse arena filled with children in various stages of riding or watching the horses. In the center of the barn, a half-dozen ponies stood at the wait while some children were helped onto saddles and others were eased off. The unifying factor in all of them, Cassie noticed, was their smiles.
    “Special needs kids,” Mr. Renfro said. “Inner city girls and boys whose only contact with the country was what they saw on television. Now, they get riding lessons and a picnic once a week.”
    “Hey, Mister George,” a snaggle-toothed girl called. “Watch me. I’m a cowgirl.”
    “That’s great, Jenny,” he said as he clapped.  
    As Mr. Renfro walked her through the barn, he stopped every few feet to speak to a girl or share a high-five with a boy. In most cases, he knew their name. In all cases, they knew him.  
    Finally they reached the other side of the building. Mr. Renfro opened a wide door and motioned for her to go inside. He followed, snapping on the lights in what turned out to be a modest office. Three walls stood covered with pictures that looked to be drawn by the very children now populating the barn. The fourth wall was a large window that overlooked the interior of the barn and the scene unfolding there.  
    Carrie watched with a smile then jumped when her host cleared his throat.
    “Can I get you something before we begin?” he asked as he shrugged out of his suit jacket and settled behind the desk.   “I have it on good authority that there’s a fresh baked peach pie to be had in the kitchen.” He winked. “I think my housekeeper’s got a thing for Sandy, my pilot.”
    “No, thank you.” She sat across from him and pulled her notebook out. “I must say this is one memorable interview.”
    Rather than comment, her host lifted the receiver on an ancient black telephone. “No, nothing for us, thanks,” he said. “But tell Sandy to get himself a cup of coffee and some pie. Miss Collins and I will be heading back in about half an hour.” He hung up the phone and returned his