Alma made a face at him. “And tougher than Bobby Joe, by a lot. I never could boss him around. But I wish he’d find someone too.”

Howard rose from the chair and came over to where she stood by the window, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Didn’t you say Parr had more female attention than he knew what to do with?”

“Goodness, yes. He kept all that so quiet though. He only ever brought one or two around, and both those girls married other guys ages ago.”

Howard turned her around to face him and tapped the tip of her nose. “Keep out of it.”

Alma heaved a huge sigh. “I guess when he finds someone with lifetime potential, I’ll be introduced. But I just don’t know. He’s more the type to elope and show up with a brand new bride.”

“Everyone’s different.”

Alma leaned against Howard’s comfortably broad chest. “Parr is that. Never had to show off like Bobby Joe. He was always trying to outshine his older brother.”

“They’re grown up now, Alma.” He stroked her hair. “Consider yourself lucky to have two such fine sons.”

Parr seemed more solid than Bobby Joe, to be sure. But the older Weston brother was somewhat of a cipher. And Howard still had reservations about the younger one, but it didn’t seem like the time to share any of that.

“I know, I know,” she said wistfully. “But you would tell me if there was anything seriously wrong between Mary Beth and Bobby Joe, wouldn’t you?”

“My daughter hasn’t said a word to me on the subject. Don’t go making something out of nothing.”

Alma grumbled a little but she gave in, returning his hug.

“There’s much more important things to think about,” Howard said. “Your niece Eve is about to have her baby, for one.”

Alma grinned. “Just in time too. Spring’s about over. She’s lucky.” She poked Howard’s round middle. “You men don’t know what it’s like to be pregnant in the summer.”

“That’s true. Now quit worrying. Go crochet some itty-bitty booties and let us men be.”

Alma laughed good and loud. “Never.”

“So this is your new headquarters. Nice.” Parr wasn’t sure the space quite fit the definition, what with it needing so much work before it could be used as an office or anything else. But he wanted to get on Bobby Joe’s good side. Now that he was back in Iminga, why wait? Might give him an advantage when it came to getting the real story of the fresh quarrel with Mary Beth.

His younger brother stayed ahead of him, pointing out the fine old woodwork and high ceilings, and where furniture could be placed over sagging floorboards.