Buck laughed and gathered the reins of both his and Frank’s horses. “I wouldn’t worry too much about Kathy. She’s made of some pretty stern stuff.”

“Just like her momma,” Frank agreed. “Now go on and carry on with the chores. I’m going to go check on Megan.”

As he turned to walk toward his truck, he tried not to limp, even though the pain in his knees flared hotly.

###

Frank dropped into his recliner and tried to think of what he’d done differently during the last couple months that suddenly had him aching from head to toe. He should be out there working right now; it was only mid-afternoon. But his body insisted it needed a break.

It’s nothing. You’re giving yourself a damned anxiety attack over nothing.

He grabbed the bottle of aspirin on the coffee table and downed three pills. Frank grimaced as the bitter taste lingered in the back of his throat and willed himself to relax.

The bedroom door opened, and nails scratched the wooden floor. Jasper bounded into the living room and skidded to a halt in front of Frank as Megan followed more slowly, her hair still wet from a midday shower.

Frank rubbed at the dog’s cheek. “Hey, boy, are you keeping watch over your mom?”

Jasper woofed in response.

“What are you doing home so early?” Megan asked.

Shaking the bottle of aspirin, Frank said, “Just have a bad headache and figured some time out of the sun might help. Besides, I’ve got Buck doing what’s needed for now.”

Megan felt Frank’s cheeks and forehead. “Well, you don’t feel warm.” She grabbed her knitting and sat on the sofa. “I’ll keep you company. I’m thinking that now that Kathy’s gone east, she’ll be needing some sweaters.”

Frank sighed. “I sure hope that’s the right move for her. She seemed a bit scared about it all.”

Making a dismissive clicking sound with her tongue, Megan began to knit the sleeve for a red sweater. “That wasn’t scared. I think she’s kind of excited about it all. Anyway, she’s a big girl. You know we can’t have her with us forever.”

“I know. I still miss having her around.”

Megan gave him a sympathetic smile. “You’re just a big softie. And that’s why we love you.”

Jasper sniffed at Frank’s trousers and whined.

“What’s wrong, boy?”

Jasper put his paws on the edge of the recliner and kept sniffing, as if he were hunting for something.

“I don’t have any jerky, you silly dog—Hey!”

Jasper had hopped right up into Frank’s lap. He twisted around to get comfortable, then gently laid his heavy head on Frank’s chest.

Frank stared down at the heavy animal and shook his head. “Well this is new. Aren’t you normally curled up next to your mom?”