Page 13 of Older Cowboy

The next week he sent one that had a puppy jumping for joy. Inside it, he wrote a message, hoping this would be the one she’d feel compelled to respond to. If she’d chosen to keep his cards—especially right there visible at her workstation—that had to be a positive sign. But this one would be his last attempt. If he saw her in out in public he’d definitely say hello. But no more cards after this one.

Hey, Erika,

I hope the image on the front brings a smile to your face today. I’d really love to have another conversation with you. In case texting is best for you, so I’ve included my phone number again.

Cody

This one firmly planted the ball in her court. She could volley it back to him or walk completely away from the tennis match. He didn’t think she’d walk, though. Not now. If she had every intention of ignoring him, why keep his cards taped to her workstation?

Still, he didn’t hear a word from her until three days after he’d mailed off the last card. He’d taken advantage of the Friday lunch provided by the Duncans inside the main house and had been listening to Sam Duncan bemoan his lack of sleep.

“I understood twins would be a lot, but I didn’t imagine they’d approach sleeping through the night like a relay race.”

“Relay race?” Aaron, the supervisor of the field hands asked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean just as we get one down, the other will cry and wake the other up. We haven’t had more than two hour’s uninterrupted rest since they were born.”

“I’m sorry,” Cody spoke up. “My son used to have his days and nights switched, but that doesn’t compare to what you and your wife are going through.”

“Two hours?” Aaron shook his head, looking a little shellshocked. “That’s all?”

Sam pointed at the dark bags beneath each eye. “Can’t you tell? Josh keeps asking me if I’m starring in some zombie movie.”

Cody repressed his laughter. He was still getting to know all the Duncans, but from the outside in, Josh seemed to be the jester of the family.

“Have you tried taking them on a drive? That’s what my wife and I used to do.”

Sam peeked up at Cody. “Did it work?”

“Like a charm. Every time.”

“Does your son sleep through the night now?” Aaron asked, and Cody grinned at him.

“He’s in college now, so I hope so.”

He’d better be, he thought to himself.

Cody trusted Gabriel, though. He might be young, but he tended to make responsible decisions. Right after thinking this, his phone buzzed with a message as if Gabe had heard him thinking to himself. Since the phone told him this was an unknown number, whoever was messaging him wasn’t his son. But seeing whohadreached out lit Cody right up from within.

Unknown: Hey, this is Erika. I liked your cards, but you do realize that the escargot punchline means this is a dad joke.

Quickly changing her info in his phone so she’d show up properly, he texted her back.

Cody: I’d say that’s appropriate since I’m a dad.

Erika: Should’ve known. You give off that vibe.

He gave offwhatvibe? What did that mean?

Cody: The dad vibe?

Erika: Yes. When we met, I felt like you had that whole caring, quirky, yet hard-working thing going on. To me, that’s a dad vibe.

Cody: So, that’s a good thing?

He hoped it was.

Erika: Absolutely.

---