Dropping The Hammer. Joanna Wayne

probably not the best time for going all syrupy. I know you’re here to talk about Alfred’s problems.”

      “I am,” he agreed. “I still don’t know much more than what you told me on the phone. The rehab center is not big on giving out information other than what’s on his chart. Assisted shower at eight. Occupational therapy scheduled for one. That and other equally unhelpful info.”

      “Did you talk to the medical supervisor where he’s staying or the doctor who cared for him in the hospital?”

      “I’ve talked to both with equally worthless results. The doctor quoted some medical jargon to describe the stroke and possible causes but didn’t give me anything definite on the prognosis. He insisted there was no way to be certain at this point if or how long Alfred would need permanent care. I’m supposed to meet with the medical supervisor this afternoon.”

      “You’re driving to San Antonio today?”

      “Yep. I need to see his condition for myself and at least let him know I’m here for him—if he cares.”

      “I visited him again Wednesday,” Esther said. “He’s throwing a fit to go home, but he can’t get around well enough to take care of himself. He definitely can’t handle cooking chores or bathing and shaving.”

      “Then you think he’ll need someone with him twenty-four hours a day?”

      “At least at first, and I predict he’ll go through the ceiling if you suggest he go anywhere when he leaves the rehab facility except back to the ranch.”

      “A ranch he can’t take care of on his own. He’ll have to hire someone to manage everything, and unless he’s changed a lot in eleven years, he’s not good at delegating authority.” Luke couldn’t see any way this was going to turn out well.

      “I have a fresh pot of coffee in the kitchen,” Esther said. “Will you have a cup with me?”

      “Sure.” He needed a beer more, but it was still morning and he had a visit with Alfred staring him in the face, so he’d stick with the caffeine.

      He followed her to the kitchen.

      “Cream or sugar?”

      “Just black, thanks.”

      She filled two mugs and set them on the small table in the kitchen breakfast nook. He held her chair and then took a seat across from her.

      Esther sipped her brew. “I’ve probably depressed you enough, but do you have any other questions that I might be able to answer?”

      “How was Alfred’s health before the stroke?”

      “He was slowing down a bit, only sixty-nine, but looked older than he was. Not much meat on his bones. Comes from living alone, and you know how that Texas sun turns your skin to leather if you don’t slather on sunscreen every day.”

      “But he still supervised the running of the ranch and rode his horses.”

      “Yes, indeed. From what I heard, he’d hardly let anyone else touch his quarter horses. Rumor was he loved them like they were his babies.”

      Too bad he hadn’t felt that way about Luke or his mother.

      Esther stared into her cup. “I guess the doctor told you the stroke affected his memory. I reckon it’s getting better, though.

      “The first time Grace and I drove down to visit him, he had no idea who we were. Went into a rant. Accused us of trying to steal things from his room.”

      “Now, that sounds like the father I remember.”

      “I think this was more than attitude. Before I left he was calling Grace and me by name, as if it just suddenly came to him who the heck we were. He settled down after that.”

      “I ran into Buck Stallings when I arrived at the ranch yesterday. He told me Dad’s hired hands disappeared when my father had the stroke and wasn’t around to pay them.”

      “They quit, all right. Just up and rode off without bothering to tell anybody. Pierce thinks they probably made off with enough equipment to make up for any wages they lost.”

      “Sounds like Alfred owes Pierce and Dudley Miles a great deal for stepping in and taking care of his livestock and horses.”

      “They aren’t expecting any thanks. People around these parts take care of their neighbors when they see a need even if the neighbor is as ornery as Alfred. My Charlie would have been the first one to the rescue if he was still living.”

      “I’m sure he would. I’m sorry about your loss.”

      “I appreciate that. You know, I keep thinking I’ll miss him less as days go by, but it doesn’t work that way. Spend almost half a century of your life with a person and he’s as much a part of you as breathing.”

      Luke’s longest relationship to date had lasted just over three months. He couldn’t even imagine that many years with the same woman, but he nodded like he got it.

      Esther worried the handle of her coffee mug and then took another sip. “You think it’s over, but life goes on. Blessings, too.” A smile touched her lips and glinted in her eyes. “Never had a family of my own. Now I’m overrun with kids and grandkids that I couldn’t love more if they were flesh and blood.”

      “You seem happy.”

      “If I felt any better, I’d drop my harp plumb through the clouds.” She pushed her cup away. “And here I go rambling on about my good fortune with you here to talk about your poor father.”

      “I was just thinking that if Dad didn’t recognize you, it’s definitely not likely he’ll recognize me.”

      “No way of knowing. How long has it been since you were last here in Winding Creek?”

      “Going on twelve years.”

      “But you’ve surely talked since then?”

      “I call at Christmas and Father’s Day when I’m somewhere I can. The conversations are strained, awkward and short. We didn’t talk a lot more when we lived together unless he was barking orders.”

      Esther reached across the table and laid a blue-veined and wrinkled hand on his. “I know you two have had a rocky relationship and it’s mostly his doing. But he needs you, Luke. You’re the only family he’s got, and let’s face it, he’s better at making enemies than friends.”

      Dread ground in the pit of Luke’s stomach. He’d arrived at Esther’s this morning holding out a little hope that things weren’t as bad as he feared. Now he figured they were worse and there was no easy fix in sight.

      “Guess I’d better get going if I’m going to see Dad before I talk to the medical supervisor. I have a few more chores I want to get done at the ranch before I leave.”

      He finished off the rest of his coffee, stood and carried his cup to the sink.

      Esther followed him. “I’ll be gone to Grace’s baby shower this afternoon, but I’ll be home tonight or after church tomorrow if you want to discuss what comes next with Alfred or just blow off a little frustration.”

      “I may take you up on that, and I appreciate all you and the other neighbors have done.”

      “Even better, why don’t you join us for dinner tonight, Luke? It’s a night off from kitchen duties for the women, since we’re throwing the baby shower for Pierce’s wife, Grace, but Pierce and Riley are grilling.”

      “Riley Lawrence?”

      “Yes. Pierce, Riley and Tucker Lawrence. I figured you’d remember them.”

      “I remember that you and Charlie took them in for nearly a year after their parents were killed in the car crash.”

      Luke had been envious of the brothers, had wished the Kavanaughs had taken him in after his mother