Page 4 of Barry

“How’s Barry doing?”

“He’s been really busy at the ranch. We talk every night, and he comes in on Fridays to see Doc Wheeler and then stops by.” Kathy set the large shopping bag down and poured her mom a glass of tea. “He’s really worried about the gossip about all the crimes that have been happening.”

Her mom groaned and shook her head. “Ugh. Don’t get me started on those people.” “Sooner or later, the sheriff will have to say something. His standard line of he doesn’t discuss ongoing investigationsis nothelping, and I actually think it’s fanning the flames. For the first time, Edna Michaelson isn’t leading the charge on this rumor mill. From what your dad says, Chester and Delbert, those two old reprobates, are the main talkers. He put those old farts right the other day, but the good Lord knows how long they’ll keep their horrid rumors to themselves.”

“I know, and it doesn’t help that Barry isn’t much of a people person. If everyone knew him as I do, they’d see how wrong they are.”

“I’m glad you gave him a chance, and we got to know him. He’s a great guy. Unfortunately, his anger issues got spread around before people could come to judge him for himself. Corrie and Andrew tried to keep it under wraps, which, in hindsight, might not have been the best thing. But everyone knows about it now. It’s a shame the hands at the Flying H were the ones talking about it.” Her mom sighed and sat down at the table.

“They didn’t know it was supposed to be close to the chest, Mom. Dusty has apologized, and so have a couple of the other guys. Barry gets along just fine with all of them.” Kathy sighed. “I can’t figure out who would be doing things to point the finger at him. It is just so surreal.”

“It sure is, and whoever it is better hope I don’t catch them first. I’ll take a chunk of their hide, that’s for sure. Messing with that poor man. Ken Zorn better find out who’s doing this, quick.”

“I’m sure he’s getting help now that there’s been a murder.” Kathy shook her head. “Amurderin Hollister. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Crime doesn’t discriminate. Whoever killed that poor, drugged-out soul needs to be caught, and he needs to pay for his crimes. Barry needs to catch a break. Hopefully, his appointments with Dr. Wheeler are working. How’s he doing with those?”

“Really good, Mom. He uses the techniques Dr. Wheeler has been teaching him.” Kathy sat down, too. “He’s so much better.” She’d seen a marked improvement since they’d started talking after her accident. “That car crash was probably the best thing that has happened to me.” She didn’t remember anything after swerving to miss something crossing the road, except for his eyes and the way he held her.

“Well, I agree meeting Barry was a good thing, but don’t you suggest good from any bad thing. That’s just courting dark karma.” Her mom took a sip of her iced tea. “Needs more sugar.” She got up and went to the drawer, where she pulled out a spoon and added several heaping measures to her tea. She sat back down and took a sip. “That’s better.”

“You need to watch your sugar.” Kathy gave her mom a serious look. “Zeke said you were prediabetic.”

“I have maybeoneglass of iced tea a week. I’m being good.” Her mom waved her off as she took another drink of her tea. Her mom put the glass down and slid a nervous glance her way. “How serious is it between the two of you? And I’m not asking that as a parent being concerned about who her daughter is dating. I’m asking as an old woman who wants grandchildren.”

Kathy blinked at her mom. “Mom!”

“What? I have grand pups, but I want grandchildren. Don’t look at me like that. He’s a good man, and you two seem to get along just fine.”

Kathy shook her head. Nope. “I’m not having this conversation.”

“Why not? Oh, don’t tell me things have gone south.”

“No, Mom, they haven’t. We’re fine, but I’m not going to rush him or tell you how this relationship is developing. If I have news for you, I’ll tell you, but as of today, we’re dating, and we’re not dating anyone else.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Her mom leaned back in her chair. “I just want the best for you, and no matter what the others say about Barry, he’s a ten in my book.”

She cocked her head. “A ten?”

“Yep, ten out of ten. Looks, check, he’s got them in spades. Employment? Yep, working for one of the most prosperous ranchers in the state. Is he good to my girl? Yep. Is he good to animals? Yep, look at the way he is with Honey. Does he work hard? According to Andrew, the man has zero quit in him. All in all, a ten.”

Kathy chuckled and took a drink of her tea. She’d rate him higher than a ten if she could. The initial calls that originated from that car accident had turned into visits, and the visits turned into dates. She knew Barry had a long way to go with his therapy, and when he was ready, she’d let him know how much she cared for him. She was pretty darn sure she was in love with him, and her mom was right. He had everything going for him … well, except for some mysterious a-hole trying to blame him for horrendous criminal acts.

“Tests, so late?” her mom asked, nodding to the papers stacked on the table.

Kathy jolted out of her thoughts. “What? Oh, yep. Last week’s end-of-term tests. Everyone passed. I just have to enter the scores into the computer system. I was going to do it during my ‘free hours’ this week, but the end of school is insane, and today, I got pulled into the annual volleyball game. The teachers won, by the way. The kids were hooting like crazy when the buses pulled away.” Kathy laughed.

“It was the last school day of the year.” Her mom chuckled. “I remember how it was.” Her mom had taught school for twenty-five years and was the reason Kathy had wanted to be a teacher. Watching the care and empathy her mom was able to provide to some of the students who had neither at home had made a huge impact on her.

“Do you miss it?” Kathy asked.

“Not for a second.” Her mom made a shocked face and then laughed. “I miss the kids. That’s why I teach Sunday School. I get them for an hour a week, and that allows me to remember why I retired. Everyone wins.”

Kathy laughed and looked out the window as Barry’s truck pulled into the driveway. “Huh?” She frowned and glanced at her watch to notice the time. “I wonder why he’s in town?”

“Who?” Her mom turned around to look out the window.

“Barry,” Kathy said as she stood and went to the door toopen it. Mitzi ran out of the house and barked at the truck as it stopped. Honey leaped from the driver’s side door as it opened, and the two dogs took off playing.

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