It Takes a Cowboy

She made pizza for dinner, remembering that Jeffrey had told Scott it was his favorite. “It’s good, Aunt Blair,” he said, which was in itself a change from his usual silence.

“I’m glad you like it. There’s ice cream in the freezer, if you want dessert.”

“Okay. Can I watch TV tonight?”

“For a little while. But first I want to quiz you on your spelling words to make sure you’re ready for your test tomorrow.”

He sighed, but nodded. “All right. But I know all the words.”

“Then the quiz won’t take long, will it?” she asked equably.

The quiz didn’t take long at all. Jeffrey spelled every word correctly the first time.

“Very good,” Blair said approvingly. “You should ace the test.”

Jeffery broke into a sudden grin that was so much like one of Scott’s, Blair’s chest contracted. “Working the system, right?” he quipped.

“Doing well because it’s the right thing to do,” she corrected dryly.

“Whatever. It all comes out the same.”

Blair mused again that Scott’s advice had the right results but questionable rationale. “Go watch TV,” she said. “But only for a little while.”

“Thanks, Aunt Blair.” He headed for the other room, leaving her shaking her head in bemusement.

Jeffrey had just gone to bed when Blair tapped on his door. “Jeffrey? I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” she said, walking toward his bed when he called to her to come in. “Your knees aren’t hurting too badly?”

“They’re fine, Aunt Blair. I hardly even feel them now.”

She reached out to smooth his hair, pleased that he didn’t draw away this time. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

On an impulse, she did something she’d been wanting to do for a long time. She bent to give her nephew a good-night kiss on the cheek. “Sleep well, Jeffrey.”

“G’night.” He rolled onto his side and pulled the covers to his chin. She couldn’t tell if he was pleased, displeased or completely unaffected by her gesture.

She was almost to the door when Jeffrey spoke again, his voice small in the shadows. “Aunt Blair?”

“Yes?”

“Were you really worried about me this morning when you couldn’t find me?”

“I was petrified. You’re the only nephew I have, Jeffrey. That makes you very special to me.”

He mumbled something she didn’t understand.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. What did you say, Jeffrey?”

“I said I love you, too,” he repeated, just a little louder.

Blair’s eyes were damp when she closed his bedroom door.

*

BLAIR HAD EXPECTED to sleep better now that she was in her own bed. And she did for a while—until a disturbing dream woke her just before dawn. A dream she blushed to remember. A dream that had prominently featured Scott McKay.

Knowing there would be no more sleep that night—or maybe fearing she would sleep and dream again—she climbed out of bed and took a long, cool shower.