Romancing the Tree Hugger

Billy Ray came into the kitchen when he heard Pa's voice. He stood with his head down, obviously not certain that he was welcome at the moment. Pa stood and he ran to him. They hugged and Pa told him to sit down with them.

"I hear you've been a big help with those trees."

Billy Ray grinned. "I've been helping Mary Jo and Mr. Monroe. I like him."

Ma set a plate of food in front of Pa and pulled out a chair. She didn't say anything when she sat down, but she looked at Pa like she wasn't sure if he would like that idea.

Pa picked up his fork and glanced at Mary Jo. "I guess your sister does too."

She shrugged. "In case you haven't noticed, there ain't much going on around here."

Pa nodded. "I noticed all right. I like it that way too, but if that logging company gets in, it'll be bye-bye to peace and quiet. Trucks roaring down the road, chain saws buzzing - every deer in a twelve mile area will be running for cover."

She sighed. "It beats running from the dogs."

Two pair of startled eyes riveted on her face. Had those words of defense actually come from her mouth? It was true, though. The deer had nothing to fear from Barrett - which was more than she could say about the poachers and hound owners who loosed their dogs in the woods for exercise.

"They ain't looking for a bunch of timber, Pa. Barr…Mr. Monroe told me which trees he wanted and made sure it was okay with us before he cut them down."

Pa looked at Ma and she shrugged. "She's old enough to figger for her own self." She watched him eat for a few minutes. "I'm afeared I'm gonna lose my onliest daughter."

Until that moment, it had never occurred to Mary Jo that Ma's objection to Monroe might be that he would take her away. She looked at Ma.

"He's just a friend right now, Ma." She shrugged again. "Maybe that's all he'll ever be."

They all looked at her as if they were realizing for the first time that it would make her sad if he left.