Page 30 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Diverting his eyes, Larry-Mac appeared uncomfortable but still nothing seemed to register. “I’ve already got a woman. Willow’s my old lady.”

“Yes, I know.” She paused. “Please hear me out.”

Drumming his fingers on her desk, Larry-Mac glanced at his Timex watch. “I’m not sure if this is a good idea. I need to think about it.” He pushed off the arms of the chair and began to stand. “I’ve gotta get back to work.”

Hope talked fast. “I’ll smooth everything over with Willow. You can send her photos as we drive. It’ll almost be as though she’s with us.”

Crossing his arms, Larry asked, “When are you thinkin’? And where?”

“Nashville. This weekend.”

Larry-Mac’s eyebrows shot up. “Nashville. Ain’t never been that far south. That’s pretty far away.”

Hope threw in the offer of a good Italian meal—her treat. “Think of it as a mini-vacation.” She forced a smile. “Maybe you’ll find a place to take Willow in the future.”

Running his fingers through his hair, he said, “Willow and I were goin’ to the movies this weekend, plus I do laundry on Saturdays. I don’t know.”

“You won’t be sorry.”Actually, we both might be sorry but I can’t think about that.Hope paused. “It’ll be a weekend road trip. I think it’s about a six-hour drive to Nashville. After our meeting with—your friend—maybe we can hit Blake Shelton’s honky-tonk that night.”

The janitor shrugged. “Sounds kinda fun. If Willow don’t mind.”

After several more questions, Larry finally agreed.

Hope jumped up from her desk and awkwardly shook his hand before he could change his mind. “Great. Thank you. Let’s meet at Hilltop’s parking lot early Saturday morning, say 6 o’clock. I’ll find Willow and tell her.”

“Tell her what you want, but I’m discussin’ this with my wife.”

Groaning inwardly, Hope said, “I understand.”

Chapter 28

Rolling up the newspaper article, Hope rushed toward Willow’s classroom. Waving from the hallway, she eventually got the art teacher’s attention and motioned for her to come outside. Not mincing any words, Hope relayed the conversation she had had with Larry-Mac.

Willow had a poker face as she glanced into her classroom and back to Hope.

Shifting from foot to foot, Hope said, “Listen, I know I was harsh earlier. I want what’s best for both of you, but if Larry is who I think he is, then, he’s still married to Montana which means your marriage isn’t legal.”

Willow sucked in her breath. “I can’t believe this.” Swallowing hard, she asked, “Are-Are you sure it’s her?”

Hope squeezed Willow’s arm and softened her tone. “As sure as I can be without setting eyes on the woman and hearing her voice.” Hope watched as Willow’s eyes rimmed with tears. “I know how hard this must be. I realize you just got married but will you promise you won’t tell Larry-Mac who she is? I want to see if his long-term memory will return. I don’t want his thoughts jumbled any more than they already are before we get to the nursing home. Do you understand what I’m asking? I honestly think this will be better for everyone. I kept hoping his memory would be intact by now. We’ve got to see if this will work.”

Crossing her arms, Willow leaned against the wall. “I don’t know. We both talked about the importance of honesty before we got married. I don’t feel good about this.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask.” Hope chewed on her lip. “Look. I’m a high school counselor, not a psychologist, but I truly think if his memory returns organically and he isn’t rushed or frustrated about jumbled scenarios, maybe just maybe everything will come flooding back. Surely you want that too.”

Willow peeked back inside her classroom where her students busied themselves with drawing a lion’s head with a massive mane. Hope peered inside and noticed an enlarged lion’s head on the chalkboard but it was upside down.

“Why is your drawing upside down?”

“It tricks the mind. Students aren’t overwhelmed by thinking they can’t draw the intricate details of the lion’s mane. I do this art exercise every year. The students start slowly at the bottom, work freestyle, andvoila—”

Nodding frantically, Hope said, “That’s exactly my point about seeing things differently to trick the mind. Does this mean you’ll agree to Larry’s going on the trip with me? It’ll be one quick overnight. I’ll pay for his room, of course.”

“I don’t know. I love Mac and he loves me. Why would I want to do anything to potentially mess that up?”

Bristling, Hope forced herself to remain calm. “Because he’s still married to the woman who raised me and she’s sitting in a damn nursing home, that’s why. Montana doesn’t have any idea Larry is alive. His name is Larry, by the way, but I’ll call him Larry or Mac or Larry-Mac, whatever you and he prefer.” Her face flushed. “I know this is crummy timing but—”

A tear rolled down Willow’s cheek. “Mac wouldn’t do this to me intentionally. I know him.”

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