“I love it here. It feels a bit like home. I’ll stay the two years, maybe longer this time.”

Benjamin picked up an apple, but didn’t eat. The man looked deep in thought. “I had a friend who also told me to follow my dream. It changed the direction I was headed at the time.”

She couldn’t decide if she was more surprised that he had a dream or that he had a friend. Dr. Monroe was always so formal. “What is the craziest thing you ever did, Benjamin?”

He took a bite of his apple, but she waited him out.

After he swallowed she swore he stuttered, coughed, cleared his throat, and finally said, “I went swimming in the horse tank when it was snowing.”

“You’re a wild man, Professor.”

He grinned. “I was buck naked.”

She laughed so hard tears came to her eyes. She could not imagine the proper Dr. Monroe doing such a thing. “Where was this horse tank? Not in town, I hope.”

“It’s on my dad’s place, about ten miles from here.”

She dried her eyes on her napkin. “You’ll have to prove you did such a wild thing, Benjamin. I find this story hard to believe.”

“How could I do that? Have my dad testify? I’m afraid he wouldn’t want to get involved.”

She smiled. The professor was actually talking about himself. “Doesn’t care?”

“No, he’s just busy. He raises mostly cash crops on his farm, and runs a few cattle. I’ve been experimenting with grapes on a small spot of land on his place. Got a few acres that I’m turning into a real vineyard.”

“I’d love to see it. I spent a month working at a winery once. Though, I’m no expert.”

“The crop is small. You’d be disappointed.”

“Try me. I should go out to see the grapes. Who knows, I might be some help, and more importantly, I could question your dad about the horse tank.”

He was staring at her again but she waited him out. Finally, he said, “All right. You’re invited the next time I drive out. But you’ll have to see my grand vegetable garden as well. Knowing Dad, if you step onto our land, you’ll have to stay for supper. Then we’ll go look at the horse tank.”

For the first time since she’d been in Clifton Bend, Benjamin Monroe seemed interested in talking to her. There is a lesson she never seemed to remember: Most folks are interesting if you take the time to know them. Maybe she should make an effort to make a friend.

She wasn’t attracted to him, she thought, but the stiff, cold, silent man was starting to grow on her.