Ever Faithful. Carolyne Aarsen

shook his head, looking around. “No. Just feels funny.”

      “You’ve got your regular checkup coming up, you can ask the doctor then.”

      “I suppose.” Judd pushed himself up. “Oh, hello, Henderson.” Judd acknowledged Paul’s presence with a curt nod, then turned back to Amy. “Who were you talking to?”

      “Case IH. I’m trying to straighten out a mix-up with parts.” She crossed her arms, supporting her shoulder, and frowned as she looked down at her father. Paul had to smile at the sight. As long as he could remember Amy was almost as much a mother to Judd as daughter—bullying him into helping on the ranch, making him go outside, eat properly, get out and visit other people, reminding him to do his devotions.

      “And you’re not going to talk about canceling your doctor’s appointment.”

      “I told you I would go.” Judd glowered at her, and Amy stared back.

      “You canceled the last two.”

      “I’ll go.”

      “I know you will. I’m going to take you in,” Amy said as she turned and left.

      Paul watched as she carefully bent over to tie her boots, heavily favoring her sore shoulder. He wanted to go and help, but figured he wouldn’t be welcomed. His ego was wounded at her offhand treatment. He didn’t know what it was he wanted from her, but he did know it wasn’t this casual attitude. Time for him to leave.

      The phone rang again, and Amy straightened with a sigh.

      “Do you want me to get it?” Paul offered.

      She shook her head and strode over to the table. She picked up the phone, turning away from him and Judd.

      Judd straightened his recliner and reached for a deck of cards beside him. “Have time for a game of crib?”

      Paul didn’t really want to. It was a strange turn of events. Amy, who always listened, who always had time to talk, obviously didn’t want him here, whereas Judd, who could hardly speak a civil word to him, was inviting him to stay. The old guy must be mellowing, he thought. And Amy had outgrown him.

      He turned back to Judd and pulled up a chair.

      As Judd silently dealt the cards, Paul tried to ignore her as she spoke on the phone.

      “You’re going to buy a car?” she exclaimed to whoever was on the other end. “How in the world can you afford it?”

      Paul picked up his cards and glanced up as the porch door opened. Rick entered the kitchen, frowning.

      “I might be able to drive you. Rick’s been working on our truck.” Paul saw her glance hopefully at her brother who lifted his hands in resignation. “Nope. I don’t have a vehicle,” she said, frustration edging her voice. “It would work out great. I have a tractor part to pick up in Prince George, and I know I owe you big-time but I just can’t. I’d drive the tractor if I could, but Rick’s got it in pieces all over the garage floor.”

      Paul looked down at his cards, discarded two and tried to ignore Amy’s obvious distress.

      “I know, Shannon, I’m sorry. Yes, I’ll let you know if anything changes. Take care.” She hung up the phone with a loud click.

      He looked up in time to see her sag against the counter, her lips tight, her eyes shut. She looked like she was in pain. He couldn’t take it any longer. He set his cards down on the table and got up.

      “You ain’t quitting already?” Judd accused, turning to watch as Paul strode to the kitchen.

      Paul stood in front of Amy, waiting for her to notice him. She finally opened her eyes. “You can use my car, Amy.”

      “No. Thanks, anyway.” She straightened and moved to get past him.

      He took a step to the side, blocking her passage. “Don’t be so stubborn. You can’t do much work with that shoulder, you may as well go pick up that part, and this way I can help out Shannon as well. I owe her, too.” Paul remembered with a sudden moment’s regret, a date with Shannon Lawson over seven years ago. She had pestered him to take her to a local dance. When she got more serious than he intended the date to be, he talked Rick into taking her home. It had happened many years and a lot of girlfriends ago. She teased him about it each time he came home; her offhand treatment of the fiasco made him pass it off. But now, with too many comments from his family ringing in his ears, he felt as if he should somehow try to make up for it.

      Amy bit her lip as if contemplating, glanced over at Rick, who looked as if he would sooner eat nails than allow her to accept Paul’s offer. “No I don’t think so….”

      “It’s easy to drive. I’ll ride Sasha home, pick up the car and be back here in less time than it takes you to shower and change.”

      “Look Paul…I can’t imagine taking that expensive car of yours around the yard, let alone all the way to Prince George.”

      “I’m sure a girl who learned how to double clutch in a one-ton beater before she had her learner’s permit wouldn’t be afraid to drive my little car,” Paul insisted.

      “That thing is worth more than our cows,” spluttered Amy.

      Paul could tell she was starting to give in and pressed his advantage. “I’m going to sell it anyhow. If you total it, I won’t have to go through the trouble,” he continued, grinning down at Amy.

      “I don’t drive that badly,” she protested.

      “So you are going to drive it.”

      She glanced up at him, a wry expression on her face. “I suppose…”

      “I can take Shannon,” Rick put in, his expression hopeful.

      “No. You’ve got to check the cows. The last thing Paul needs is a heavy-footed guy like you driving his car.” Amy ignored Rick’s sputtering and looked back at Paul sighing in resignation. “I guess I’m going.”

      “Good.” He took the phone from her before she changed her mind. “What’s Shannon’s number. I’ll call her myself.”

      Amy gave it to him, and as he dialed, he kept his eye on her. Her face had more color than a few moments before, and she looked a little less tense. He hoped it was because of his offer.

      Shannon picked up the phone with a terse “Hello.”

      “Hi, Shannon, it’s Paul.”

      “Oh, you. The guy that sets all the Cariboo hearts aflutter.”

      “Not really,” he said with a frown.

      “Paul,” her tone was disappointed. “Is that the best you can come up with? ‘Not really.’ Or are you afraid I might nag you into taking me out again?”

      “No,” Paul laughed, comforted by her breezy tone. “You’ve got better taste than that.”

      “Actually I do. I’m in love with a far more interesting guy than a mere businessman.”

      Paul grinned, leaning back against the table. He’d always liked Shannon. She was fun and straightforward. “So you think businessmen are boring?”

      “No comment.” Shannon laughed. “You didn’t phone to listen to me pester you.”

      Paul grinned then decided it was time to get back to business. “Amy will pick you up about eleven o’clock. Does that work for you?”

      “Anytime would be great. Thanks….”

      “Take care,” he said, hanging up the phone and turning to Amy who was still frowning.

      “I wish you hadn’t done that,” Amy reprimanded him. “Rick will be gone, and you won’t be able to get back home. Unless you walk.”

      “Well, I don’t have a whole lot to do today, I