Chapter 73

I looked over at him. He was staring out the window and seemed pensive.

I took a hand off the steering wheel and patted his leg. “We’re going to make this right, Tyler, I swear it.”

To distract him from morose thoughts, I asked, “Tell me, if you could do anything at all in the world, what would it be?”

“I’d work on a ranch or farm,” he replied. “I was happiest when I was out in the open, working with nature. It soothed me, somehow, made me feel peaceful. Aside from the hole in my soul from the loss of my family, I miss working the land, one way or another.”

“I see.” An idea came to me, but I let it rest for now. Time enough to explore that later.

* * * *

It was dark by the time Tyler and I drove up the gravel road to the house. Ben was standing on the porch, arms crossed. Was he trying to look forbidding? Maybe this was what it was like to meet the parents when you brought a date to dinner. I rolled my eyes as I got out of the car.