Part 10 (1/2)

”Cowboys do.” He hooked a small finger in the cup's handle, unaware of the danger of spilling the hot liquid.

Winn had both hands around the cup in antic.i.p.ation of the child's action.

”It'll keep you awake, and you only grow while you sleep.”

Greg let go and looked up at his friend.

”Really?”

”Sure,” Winn answered. He used his left arm to pull the boy against him.

”When you get as big as you want to get, then you can start drinking coffee.”

Cynthie watched the exchange with a mixture of pleasure and jealousy.

She wasn't often witness to their conversations and she was glad to see them

so at ease with one another. It was a clear contrast to her ownconversations with Winn. She left the room with the certainty that shewouldn't be missed and went to the porch to wait for the visitor.

Chapter Five.

Q^sy^s^Q Who's here? ” Winn whispered in Greg's ear.

The boy on his lap shrugged and whispered back, ”Let's go see.”

They stepped out onto the porch as the hoofbeats ceased and, with a creak of

leather, the rider dismounted. Gravel crunched as the visitor came forward.

Winn could feel Cynthie standing near him on the porch.

She had not gone to meet the visitor.

”Afternoon, ma'am.” The voice was familiar. It was the neighbor who had given them the ride out from town the day Winn had been brought to the ranch.

”Afternoon, Mr. Ott,” he heard Cynthie say. Yes. Reuben Ott. He remembered now.

”Good to see you, Mr. Sutton. You're loo king better.”Winn smiled warmly, hoping his friendliness would irritate Cynthie. Heremembered quite clearly her obvious dislike for Mr. Ott.

”I'm feeling better, too, thanks to Mrs. Franklin's care.” He took a careful step forward and stretched his hand toward the voice, forgetting about the bandage.

Ott came quickly up the porch steps. His firm handshake made Winn's hand sting, but it was easily ignored.

”How can I help you, Mr. Ott?” Cynthie's voice was cold and formal.

Ott took a step backward, putting himself, Winn was sure, dangerously close to the steps.

”I brought that payment, ma'am.” Winn heard the whisper of paper going from

hand to hand in front of him.He was tempted to invite Ott in for coffee. There was a whole pot insidethat had hardly been touched. He decided against it. He was opening himselfup to considerable discomfort if he annoyed his hostess.

”I'll get the receipt.” Cynthie went inside and closed the door. Mr. Ott wasn't even to be invited inside to wait.

Greg slipped his hand out of Winn's and sent the swing to squeaking.

”You live near here, Mr. Ott?” Winn asked.”Yeah, I'm about Mrs. Franklin's closest neighbor except maybe for KyleDempsey. You know him?”

Winn shook his head.

”He was here one day but I didn't meet him.”

Greg piped up, ”I don't like him.”

Winn was startled but Ott only laughed.

”He doesn't know how to buy a boy's affection.” Suddenly the swing was silent.

Winn laughed.

”What did you get?”

”Cherry ball,” Greg said, taking the candy from his mouth to show it to Winn before he remembered that he couldn't see it.