Courtship In Granite Ridge

Slater looked at her, then glanced back at the boys and cleared his throat. “I was just stopping by to say hi to your mom,” he mumbled awkwardly. “I’m glad I got to meet you, though.”

They stared up at him for a long moment, then Troy said, “Where you going?”

“Uh, Alaska.”

“Where’s Alaska?” Troy asked.

“It’s far away,” Cody answered with authority. “And it’s real cold.”

Kasey smiled knowingly at Slater. He frowned at her, then knelt in front of the boys so he could look them in the eye. “Alaska is a beautiful place. You should go there sometime with your mom.”

Troy shook his head. “I like it here. It’s not cold, either. We don’t have to stay inside all the time.”

Confinement had always been difficult for her sons, Kasey thought. They hated being inside, and had disliked the heavy clothing and jackets, as well. “We need to go into town now, boys. Say goodbye to Slater.”

“’Bye.” There was no enthusiasm in Cody’s voice as he tossed the baseball back and forth between his hand and glove.

“’Bye.” Troy stepped closer to Cody, dragging the bat on the ground.

“Take care,” Slater said with a smile, then stood.

Kasey tried to swallow the lump that had settled in her throat, but it refused to budge. No matter how much she wanted him to stay, she wouldn’t ask, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to cry.

“It was good to see you, Slate,” she said. “Stop by again sometime in the next millennium. If I’m lucky, I’ll have grandkids.”

“I’m sorry, Kasey.” He reached out and tugged her into his arms. “I wish it could be different.”

She leaned against him, breathed in the smell of him, a mixture of man and horse and hay. It would have to last her a long time. Most likely a lifetime.

“Would you like me to tell your father anything?” She had to try one last time, as a parent, as Slater’s friend.

“No.” He dropped his arms away. “I’ll give you a call. Drop a postcard.”

She nodded, but they both knew he wouldn’t. She also knew she didn’t want to watch him drive away again. “I want to be at the newspaper when they open. You’re welcome to use the shower and help yourself to breakfast. There’s muffins and apples on the counter in the kitchen.”

His smile never reached his eyes. “Take care of yourself, Kase.”

“I always have, Slate,” she said, then turned and walked away with her sons.

Slater had already showered, stuffed his dirty clothes into his duffel bag and was headed out the back door when the phone rang. He hesitated, knowing she hadn’t cleared her answering machine and it couldn’t pick up any more messages. He also knew how important it was to her to find that stud for Miss Lucy.