laughed “Especially for me.”
“Matt, will we ever hear from you again?” Lucy asked.
“Good-bye, Matt,” John said. Then to the others, “Come on folks, he needs to get started.”
“No need to rush him off,” Millie said, but John interrupted her with a pointed glance toward Lucy.
“Oh, yes,” Millie said. “Come along Kenny, Jimmy. Let them say good-bye in private.”
Lucy waited until John and the others had disappeared back into the newspaper office. “What I should have said, I suppose, is will I never hear from you again?” she told Matt.
“Never is a mighty long time, Lucy,” Matt said.
“It wouldn’t work, you know,” Lucy said.
Matt didn’t have to ask what wouldn’t work. He knew exactly what she was talking about.
“I have businesses to run, a son to raise,” she went on. “And I can’t see you playing checkers with Mr. Proffer.”
“He wouldn’t play with me anyway. I cheat, remember?”
Lucy laughed. “Yes, I remember. And speaking of remembering, thank you, Matt. You have given me memories that will last a lifetime.”
“Lucy, I …”
“No,” Lucy said. “Please, just get on your horse and go now, while I still have my composure.”
Matt swung into the saddle and looked down at her. She wasn’t crying, though he could see a glistening of tears in her eyes.
“It wouldn’t work,” she said again. “But, oh, isn’t it lovely to contemplate?”
Before Matt could answer, Lucy turned away from him, then walked quickly into the newspaper office.
Matt clicked at Spirit, and started the long ride to Ellendale. He saw clouds building up in the west. No doubt, there would be rain.
