Alex said nothing. When he was ready, Jonathan would talk.
Jonathan stared out the window for a while. Finally he spoke.
"I'm trying to get a group together for a band."
He was good enough with the violin now. The band wasn't a bad idea - as long as he wasn't doing it to impress the girls. School was out for the summer, but by the time they could get a band going good, it would be time to go back. Carmen would want to encourage him in this and Katie would consider it a social achievement.
Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Have you talked to your mom about it?"
Jonathan nodded. "She said to ask you."
He was the default for most of the decisions she felt uncomfortable about making, but those decisions rarely included the children. Maybe he was supposed to lecture him about girls again. A father could go only so far with things like that until the son would cease to listen. If it were something specific, it would be one thing, but Jonathan was a good boy and he didn't want to stifle him the way Carmen's parents did her.
He maneuvered a turn. "Don't let your grades suffer."
Jonathan's blue eyes sparkled as he smiled with relief. "I won't."
By the time they arrived at home, Carmen had supper on the table. She had changed her clothes and washed the makeup from her face. Katie had been helping her select clothing and she certainly knew how to make the most of Carmen's soft curves. The lavender striped knit top exposed soft shoulders and the beginning swell of generous breasts as modestly as it did her smooth flat midriff. The faded jeans circled her slender hips slightly below the naval. Every inch of her was firm from working outside, and the tan simply put a finishing touch to all of it.
When his gaze returned to hers, she was smiling - enjoying the attention. There was a time when she would have blushed, but that time was gone. Sometimes he missed that innocence.
Supper was the usual savory cuisine and pleasant conversation. Much as he wanted to talk to Carmen, he opted for a ride afterward. There were things he still needed to sort out and Carmen was a distraction - a delightful one for sure, but a distraction all the same. It wasn't unusual for him to unwind after a trip by taking a ride and Carmen accepted it with the usual grace.
The Appaloosa tossed his head in anticipation. He could depend on Carmen to take good care of the stallion in his absence, but the horse missed him - or maybe it was the other way around. Their relationship went back a long way - almost twenty years. A gift from his Dad, Ed had always been a good friend and listener.