"Well, I guess theres too many rules around here, anyway. "
Mad Dog grabbed his hat from the fence post and cocked it on his head, grinning at Rass. "Its a specialty of mine—breaking rules. One of the few things I do well. "
Jake climbed down from the tree and headed toward Rass. "Hi, Rass. " He set a few apples into the "mostly red" barrel and reached for the canteen.
"Hey, Jake," Rass said, "I thought Id go to town for a few things. Do you know how to drive a buggy?"
Jake nodded. "Sure, Rass. I used to drive my mama to the doctors. "
"Good. Run on down to the pasture and catch Cleo for me. Shes the swaybacked black. You cant miss her. "
Jake reached down for his slouch hat and crammed it on his head, then started walking. Rass and Mad Dog watched silently as the boy turned down the gravel road and headed for the barnm.
They stood in companionable silence for a long time. The sun was just beginning its lazy descent. The blood-red shadows of twilight clung to the darkening horizon.
Memories came flooding back to Rass, filling the cold, dark places in his heart with remembered warmth.
"Greta used to love this time of day," he said softly. "She called it the magic hour.
More than day and less than night. "
"She must have been quite a woman, Rass. Im . . . sorry. "
"Nothing to be sorry about. "
They lapsed into silence again. Somewhere a bird chirped. Wind whispered through the leaves of the trees, stirring the crispy, fallen reminders of autumn. From the hidden recesses of the river came the first bulging ribbits of lonely bullfrogs.
Tears burned Rasss eyes, turned the shadowy fields into a golden-red smear. "I never thought shed die. . . . "
Mad Dog gave Rasss shoulder a comforting squeeze, but didnt say anything.
Rass gazed out across the orchard, feeling Gretas presence beside him. He fisted his hand, knowing that her essence, some ephemeral part of her Soul, lay within his grasp, had always lain within his grasp. It gave him strength and purpose and a sense of quiet well-being. "Sometimes, when I stand under the tree on the hill, I see her.
Shes waiting for me. "
Mad Dog shifted his weight from side to side and looked away.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Rass asked with a crooked smile.
Mad Dog let out his breath in a relieved gust. "Very. "
"I know you dont believe me. Marian doesnt either. Thats because youve never been in love, either one of you. "
Mad Dog laughed. "No surprise there, Professor. "
"One day youll feel what I felt for Greta, and then youll know. That feeling just doesnt go away. Not even if one of you dies. "
"I wouldnt bet on me feeling that, Rass. "
Thats exactly what Im betting on. Rass cleared his throat and stared up at Mad Dog. It was time to say what hed come to say. "Will you take care of Marian for me while Im gone?"
Mad Dog laughed. "How long you gonna be gone?"
Rass frowned at the answer. "Does it matter?"
"Sure it does. Youre gonna be gone for supper, maybe overnight, Ill say yes.
Youre leaving till spring, Id say find someone else. "