Evans Creek Book 2: In Good Hands

Chapter 20

"But if I wait too long, the sheer volume of leaves that need raking will get out of hand which makes the task more like work than fun." Rowdy shrugged.

"You think raking leaves is fun?" Suz fixed him with a doubtful look.

"Not like a night at Dale's." When Suz only gave him another one of those looks, he chuckled "Fine! Maybe fun wasn't the right word. But I do enjoy being outdoors. This might sound borderline crazy, but I find the task relaxing. The scrape of the leaf rake, the crunch of the dried leaves, the crisp autumn air..." Rowdy shrugged.

"You need to get out more." Suzie spoke softly, laughter tickling her words as she tried not to disturb the sleeping cuties.

"Speaking of getting out..."

"Rowdy? What are you up to?"

"What makes you think I'm up to something?"

"I may only have lived here for a little over a week, but I've known you longer than that." She crossed her arms and gave him a knowing look. "You know...there's a reason you don't ever win on Poker Night."

Rowdy laughed softly, sending a checking glance toward the nappers.

"Fair enough." He smiled and tried to address her obvious objections to his suggestion right up front. "Tomorrow is Sunday. I know you normally work, but I cleared it with Dale and Ger, so you're off."

"You what...?" Suzie was confused.

She usually worked at the café for the brunch rush. If people didn't go to Grandma's house for Sunday supper, then they ate at the café after church. Tables got pushed together and people tended to come and go.

More like a revolving buffet than like a café...

"Before you get mad at me, let me say that it's for a good cause." Rowdy watched as she stiffened, making a more defensive stance. He thought she would agree but maybe he was mistaken. "At least hear me out first."

"Fine."

"You know that I always visit mom on Sunday. I've been taking Brody with me. Last Sunday she remembered that she had a little boy just like Brody, except that her boy was grown and away at war. Mom really likes Brody, by the way.

"That's really sweet." Suzie gave him a nice-try look. "Back to the subject at hand. What are you up to?"

"Tomorrow is November 12."

"And?"

"And it's my mom's birthday. I wanted to take her away from the home for a few hours, maybe a picnic in the park? I thought that if you and Brody came with me, we could make a day of it. I can bring the wagon and we can all go for a walk by the creek. We can take some bread to feed the ducks. Mom used to like feeding the ducks, and I bet Brody would love it."

"That's a great idea!" Suz's smile transformed her entire person as she clasped her hands.

Rowdy smiled too, glad that he hadn't misjudged her.

"I bet your mom would really like to get out of the home and spend some time with her son."

"That's the thing. Most of the time, she doesn't know who I am. So, if she asks, I just tell her that Randall sent me."

"Randall?" Suzie frowned trying to remember the name then nodded. "Your brother."

"My dad."

Suzie's heart went out to him as he the joy suddenly left him deflated.