Del nodded. "The lawyer wanted him to sue my company and when he refused, the lawyer reminded him that this would stop him from realizing his dream to be a forest ranger. He worked his way through school - all that money and time." He shook his head. "Barrett told him that insurance was paying the medical bills. He would find another career. Suing wasn't his idea of a career." He sighed. "My wife and I never had children and after she died, I never found anyone else. Barrett is like a son to me, but I have a fight on my hands every time I try to do something for him."
Ma groaned. "Mary Jo is the same way. She thinks there ain't nothin' she can't do."
Aslin stood. "That isn't a bad thing." She looked at Del. "I think we have disrupted Mrs. Spencer's day enough. If you know where he is, we can go talk to Barrett and make sure he isn't planning something else."
After they left, Ma thought about what Aslin had said about Monroe - and what it might mean for Mary Jo. Monroe came from a wealthy family. Was he seriously interested in Mary Jo or was she merely a fling? He wouldn't take money from his parents. How did he plan to earn a living?
Ma didn't think Monroe was too good for her daughter, and she didn't think her daughter was too good for Monroe. She did wonder if Mrs. Monroe thought Mary Jo might not be good enough for her son. After a little more thought on that, she decided that if Mrs. Monroe disapproved of that relationship, it would have been simple enough not to invite any of them. There was one thing she was sure about. Mary Jo and Monroe were both independent enough that it wouldn't matter what their parents thought. They were both mature for their ages, too. They'd be all right.
Barrett put a hand on Mary Joe's knee as she and Billy Ray were getting ready to leave on the mules. He gazed up at her. "We won't be doing much tomorrow if you want to stay home to see your father when he arrives."
She placed a warm hand over his and started to lean down. She glanced at Billy Ray, who was watching them with interest. She straightened and patted his hand. "We'll see." She turned her head to watch a car that was creeping up the makeshift drive.
Barrett followed her gaze. It looked like his mother driving, but what would she be doing in Arkansas? He walked out to meet them. Uncle Del was in the passenger side. The car stopped and a woman got out of the car.