Outstanding, Brad thought. He’d go directly to the lumberyard from the station in Glenwood Springs in time to get in a full day’s work without having to ask his boss for time off to deliver his passenger. Jared Cramer would probably have granted his request without a second’s hesitation, but Brad would just as soon not have to ask. He wanted no special favors from an employer romantically interested in his mother that might cause talk from the guys and give the wrong impression to his boss. The combined celebration of his sister’s and employer’s birthdays the middle of May had not turned out as anticipated. Against all expectations, his mother and Jared Cramer had hit it off, and now they were an item. At the lumberyard, his boss wore a grin so silly, Brad was embarrassed, and his mother hummed while she worked. But Brad would have to see how the cards played out. Given Joanna Bukowski Hudson’s devotion to the memory of her husband, things could go south. Brad wasn’t particularly worried about losing his job, since the war had left the company short of manpower, but he might be demoted back to sawing and hauling logs. Jared Cramer didn’t seem that sort. Brad liked and respected him a lot, but people could surprise and disappoint you in the most unexpected ways, especially when male ego was involved. Meanwhile, the money for this weekend’s services would be nestled snugly in the jar with his other savings for emergencies. He demanded payment in cash from his clients, no checks. Greenbacks could not bounce.

As they got underway, Brad put the question to his client he always asked first. “What do you do in Washington, D.C., Mr. Renault?” The inquiry broke the ice, and many times Brad was treated to a passenger’s whole life story before he was deposited at his hotel. Brad hoped the question would spark news from Mr. Renault of how the war was going. Would Mexico’s declaration of war against the Axis powers make any difference to the Allies? Was there any information of the fate of the twelve thousand prisoners taken captive by the Japanese on Corregidor? Would Canada win the Battle of the St. Lawrence against German U-boats? The one question Brad dreaded to be asked in return was his number in the draft.