Laughter erupted. “It’s just an expression, Son,” Rick said. “I think it is probably a special one that only people in Oklahoma use.”

“Oh no,” Debbie assured him. “My grandmother always said that, and she was from Tennessee.” Then she lowered her voice and leaned over until she was eye level with Rick’s young son. “And, she also said that eating tomatoes sprinkled with black pepper made hair grow on a man’s chest.”

Enrique looked with interest at the bowl of pico de gallo that he’d refused all night long. He stared at Debbie and then back at the bowl and nodded sagely as if instantly understanding the logic of such a statement. And when he thought no one was looking, dished himself up a serving of the chopped tomato and onion, sprinkled it liberally with black pepper, and took it like a dose of medicine.

Cole tried not to laugh. But the intensity with which the child was chewing was too much. And when Enrique subversively slid his little hand up beneath the front of his Batman shirt and rubbed his chest, testing to see if anything had sprouted, it was too much to ignore.

“You have just moved up a notch in my book,” Tina said. “I’ve been trying to get him to eat tomatoes for a year.”

Debbie looked up and grinned. “It always worked on my younger brother, Douglas. I see that it hasn’t lost its magic.” Calmly, she mumbled an aside to Cole. “I wonder what would happen if I sprinkled you with pepper?”

Rick whooped at the look of panic on Cole’s face.

“Man alive, you didn’t exaggerate about her, did you, buddy?”

Tina fairly bubbled with glee.

“I guess it all depends where you sprinkle,” Cole mumbled, and then joined in the laughter.

*  *  *

“We’re home,” Cole said, and gently patted Debbie’s shoulder.

She’d dozed off less than five minutes after leaving the Garza residence, and Cole had taken the long way home just to give himself the pleasure of watching her sleep.

The word home sank into her sleepy consciousness. It sounded so wonderful. If it were only true. She stretched, moaned, and started to crawl out of the car.

Cole met her at the door and slid his arm around her shoulders. Together, they walked into the house and then caught their breath at the quiet…and the note propped against the salt and pepper shakers on the kitchen table.

Thanks for the pie. Buddy and I went to a movie. We’ll be very late coming home. Have a good evening.

Love, Morgan

“We’ve been set up,” Debbie said, handing Cole the note.

“First Tina, now Dad. It looks like I’d get the message, doesn’t it?” Cole’s smile was forced.