The noise of the truck engine filled the house for a moment then faded. She’d been so stunned to see him that she couldn’t think straight. She hadn’t known what to expect, but it sure wasn’t what she got. She fished a cell phone from her jacket pocket and punched a speed dial number.

“I’m here,” she said when her mother answered.

“And?”

Liz giggled nervously. “It’s bigger than I remembered, and there’s a sexy cowboy who lives next door, but he’s probably married and has six kids because no guy that pretty isn’t taken. I’d forgotten how big the house is after living in the carnie trailer.”

“Have you unpacked? You can turn around and come back right now. You could be here in time to take your shift tomorrow night, and my brother can sell it to those horse ranchers next door to him,” Marva Jo said.

“Not yet. I was on my way in the house when Raylen opened the door and startled me so badly I was almost speechless. Hooter and Blister are still alive and well. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.”

“Raylen?” Marva Jo asked.

“The sexy cowboy. I met him both times I came to visit Uncle Haskell. Remember when I told you about the boy who tried to beat me at walkin’ the fence when I was ten? That was Raylen.” Liz sank down on the sofa and wasn’t surprised to find it just as soft as she remembered.

“You’re right. He’s probably married and has a couple of kids. I was hoping the house would be butt-ugly to you,” Marva Jo said with a giggle.

“No, ma’am. I squinted and even imagined it with Christmas lights. Looked great to me. Right now, wild horses couldn’t drag me away,” Liz said.

“We’ll be in Bowie in a few weeks. By then you’ll be sick to death of boredom. You were born for the carnie and travel,” Marva Jo said.

“I will have the Christmas lights on the house when you get here,” Liz said.

“A house not on wheels with Christmas lights and a cowboy.” Marva Jo laughed. “Be careful that the cowboy doesn’t cut off your beautiful wings.”

“Good night, Mama. I love you,” Liz said.

“Love you too, kid. Go prove me right about getting bored. It’s only half an hour until time to tell fortunes and I still have to get my makeup on. Does that make you miss me?” Marva Jo asked.

“Not yet. I only saw you this morning. Hug Aunt Tressa for me and I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

***

Raylen drove down the lane and stopped. The left blinker was on, but he couldn’t make himself pull out onto the highway. The whole incident at Haskell’s place had been surreal. Haskell said his niece, Liz, was going to take over the property. He remembered Liz very well. She was the ten-year-old who’d walked the rail fence better than him even though he was older at thirteen. She was the fourteen-year-old who rested her elbows on the same rail fence and watched him exercise the horses. Now she was so pretty that just looking at her sucked every sane thought out of his brain.