THE FERAL STRUT

Chapter 54

"They found the Volvo," Slim said. "On a used car lot in Twin Falls."

"Do you want me to drive you over there?" Mary said.

The door of the yurt was open to the breeze, and the aspen leaves set up a gentle racket. The mule-ear sunflowers were springing up, about to star the slopes with their yellow blooms.

"Naw. The Feds went over and took samples– didn't find much. So I told the guy to sell it and send me a check. I might be able to afford something better."

He'd been hired on contract, to work the investigation. The Justice Department guys wanted him to take the civil service exam, and join up. He'd likely be based in Salt Lake City. He'd been questioning her about her college plans.

"I applied to the U. Got a scholarship offer— pretty generous. Not sure about the urban part. Smog and stuff."

"I almost took the Salt Lake offer," Slim said, "but something else came up."

"Such as?" He liked to tease her this way.

"Such as they hired Woodruff, the guy from Cody, as Acting County Sheriff. And he asked me to apply for the assistant slot. Pays pretty well."

"Wow. So you wouldn't have to leave the Hole. And you could, like, actually live in a halfway decent place."

"Yeah. I like it right here, actually. As long as we can take showers down at the Village. How long will Ginger stay in Salt Lake?"

"Don't know. Her dad's up and down. He's got some brain damage. But her mom's pretty incredible, after being in that rehab place for so long. They're really hitting it off. Shopping for clothes and stuff. Gin says there are a couple of punk shops with amazing gear. She bought some things for the band." Mary's face fell. "I know— what band?"

"Do you think I could stay here— while you're up at Elf Creek?"

"Are you kidding? Of course."

"Good— I think I'd like to. Stay. If you might be around on your days off."

"You mean take the sheriff job?"

"That. Something else, too."

"Like what?"

"Marry me?"

She looked at him, eyes round with shock. Then, with an operatic wail, she was out the door. Gris charged after her, claws scritching on the boards.

He forced himself to hold still. Not a good thing, he thought, to chase her. Like she was some sort of— he couldn't complete the thought. He hoped she'd come back, but she didn't. He could hear Gris whimpering and then Mary's voice— laughing?

He stepped out. She had her arms locked around an aspen, the side of her head against the bark as her shoulders heaved.

Not laughing, he thought, and stepped down from the porch. In the shadow of her face, the smooth white bark was wet with tears. He walked around to stand where she could see him.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't a-pol-o-gize," she sobbed, drawing out the word. "You. . . surprised me."

"Sorry for that, then."

"I wish— I know—"

"Catch your breath, love. I'm not going anywhere."

She uttered another, softer wail, and let go of the tree, putting her arms around him and planting her face in his chest.

He stroked her back. They stayed that way for some time.

"I'm not ready," she said. "I thought you knew that."

"Guess not. Could you tell me?"

"You're a grown man. I'm still trying to be a kid. I didn't have much chance, back home. My Mom— Let's just say when I think of marriage, it's not a positive thing."

"I can understand why. My folks actually liked each other. Lucky, I guess."

"If I promise— whatever I can right now. Will you wait for me?"

"Yeah," Slim said. "Kiss on it?"

"Kiss? We can do better than that."