Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Gerald stood and grabbed the picture from the refrigerator again. Sitting back down, he examined it.

"Maybe I'll go visit your sister. I might get lucky."

Alex reached over and snatched the picture from his hand, tucking it into his shirt pocket.

"Don't talk about her that way."

Gerald put his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands. "I wasn't talking about your sister."

Alex gave him a level look. "I didn't think you were."

Gerald grinned. "Well, well. You might not know it yet, buddy, but you're hooked."

Alex gathered his sandwich and lifted it. "My life is complicated enough," he said, and took a bite out of the sandwich.

They ate in silence for a while and finally Gerald spoke, his tone conversational.

"So when are you leaving?"

Without looking up, Alex responded. "In a week or so, I guess. It sounds like they could use some help."

Nothing more was said about the subject.

After Gerald left, Alex showered and changed into jeans, a western shirt and square-toed boots. Tucking the picture in his shirt pocket, he left the apartment and drove straight to the stable. There he saddled Ed and rode out to the exercise field. He did some of his best thinking in the saddle.