The Cowboy's Return

Oh my God! What should he do now? He couldn’t hurt this young girl and he certainly wouldn’t let his parents do that either.

“Tripp,” Leona called. “Who’s at the door?”

What the hell should he do?

“Tripp,” Leona called again. Tripp made a decision, hoping Jilly had the same effect on his parents as she’d had on him.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside.

Jilly walked in and he closed the door.

“My parents are in the den. Please understand that they are old and say things that sometimes hurt.”

Jilly nodded. “It’s okay, Mr. Daniels. I know all about old people.”

“Please call me Tripp,” he told her. “That’s a strong statement for someone so young.”

“Tripp!” his mother shouted this time.

“Ready?” he asked Jilly.

“Yes,” she answered, clutching the dog, and followed him into the den.

“Mom, Dad, we have a visitor. This is Jilly Walker.”

Grif swung around, but didn’t say a word. Leona pulled off her headphones, squinting, as if she were trying to see Jilly’s face.

Jilly walked to her. “Hi, Mrs. Daniels. I’m Jilly and this is Button.” She held up the dog.

“Button? What’s a Button?” Leona asked.

“It’s a dog,” Jilly said. “A Chihuahua. Would you like to touch her?”

“Yes. I like dogs. I used to have a terrier.” Jilly placed the dog in Leona’s lap and Leona stroked it. Button shivered. “Oh, my. It’s a little bitty thing.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jilly said. “That’s why Mama and me named her Button. I’ve had her for four years now and I take her everywhere, except when I go to school.”

“How old are you, child?”

“I’ll be twelve next Saturday.”

“Let me see the dog,” Grif said. Tripp stepped back and let everything happen naturally.

Jilly carried Button to Grif. “She’s a little nervous, but she’ll calm down in a minute.”

“These type of dogs need a lot of care,” Grif told Jilly.

“I give her lots of care and lots of love.”

“Let me hold Button,” Leona said and Jilly carried the dog back to her.