“Is that what’s got you so upset?”
“I’m not upset.” A new wave of tears burst out. “I just hate parting with him. I think I fell in love with him.”
A long pause while he sat and watched her compose herself. Finally, he said something. “I can understand, I guess. I like animals myself. I lost my dog a few months ago and I’m still stewing over it. I feel like I lost a brother.” He took another bite of his burger and gave her a long look as he chewed. “I’ve also got an old horse I’ve had since I was a boy and a couple of llamas my neighbor abandoned.”
“You don’t strike me as the llama type.”
“I can’t stand to see any animal starve to death. The sheriff’s office was gonna haul them off. I knew what that meant, so I took them. At least they pay their way. I have them sheared and sell their wool. Come spring, I’ll probably try to sell them. This parrot. Is he big? Little?” He formed his thumb and finger into a measuring gesture.
“Are you making a joke? He’s an African Grey. On the vet’s scale, he weighs two pounds, give or take. The size of a small chicken.”
“Never heard of African Grey, but I know this much. Birds aren’t like dogs. From what I know about birds, you’re probably just as well off to be rid of one. Looks to me like a pet bird the size of a chicken could be a helluva lot of trouble.”
“He is...was.... But he was fun, too.” She sobbed again, sopping her cheeks and eyes with her napkin.
He heaved a sigh. “Ma’am, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to let you drive back to Midland alone. You’re in no shape—”
“My shape is none of your business. You’re not—you’re not the boss of me.”
“You’re too upset. If you had a wreck, I’d feel guilty.”
He was right. She needed to pull herself together. Waffle and a herd of animals that depended on her waited at home. She drew a deep sniff and wiped her eyes. “If you’re thinking of driving me to Midland, forget it. I’m fine now.”
“Uh-huh. I can see that. Look, maybe you could think about it another way. Maybe you could be glad the parrot’s gone. I’ll bet he lived inside your house and I’m sure he made a hulluva mess. Now that he’s gone, you don’t have to clean up after him.”
“Don’t say that.” She broke into tears again. “I didn’t mind. He cooed to me when I left him.”
“You loved him, he loved you. A real romance, huh?” He dragged a French fry through his puddle of Hogg’s Special Sauce. “What makes you think he loved you? Birds aren’t capable of emotion. They function from instinct, not intelligence. A two-pound bird’s brain is probably the size of a marble.”
Sandy gasped. “How do you know so much?”
“A lot of animal science in college. And logic.”
“College? Oh, really. And what college did you attend? You’re a ... you’re a cowboy.”
His pointed glare came at her like a spear. “I caught that sneer when you said that. What, you think cowboys can’t go to college?”
She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. “I didn’t mean that. I went to college in Odessa and there were plenty of cowboys who were students.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“All I meant was I didn’t think...I mean, I assumed...You just don’t strike me as a college man.”
“I don’t strike you as a llama man, either, but the two I’ve got aren’t a mirage.”
“Did you ... graduate?”
“Sure did. Got a BS. And that doesn’t stand for bullshit. Went to Texas Tech on a football scholarship. Got a degree in biology. Been through A&M’s range management program. Studied grasslands enhancement with Dow Chemical. I’ve got a Masters in animal nutrition. That enough education for you?”
Her mind blanked out. Now she felt foolish and embarrassed. He knew more about nutritious food for animals than she did. “Okay, okay. I apologize for stereotyping. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” She toyed with her napkin. “I’m not thinking clearly. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am a little upset. You’re the manager of the Flying C Ranch?”
“Yep. All of what I just told you and a few years’ experience qualifies me to be the general manager of just about any spread in Texas. And that’s what I do. A man’s gotta make a living.”
“Managing a big ranch must be a good job.”
“It is. It’s like being a CEO. And I like it. Provides me with damn near everything a man could want.”
“Believe it or not, I know how you feel. I like what I do, too. I’m not making a fortune in my little business, but I’m making enough. And the personal satisfaction would be hard to give up. I suppose it depends on your priorities.”
He nodded, chewing on another bite of burger. He had eaten more than half of the super-size burger.
She looked down at her own food. The fried pie had disappeared. Without even realizing it, she had eaten all of it. He tilted his head toward the empty wrapper that had held it. “You must’ve decided that fried pie wasn’t too fattening after all. Want another?”
She ducked her chin, glared at him from beneath her brow and drew a long breath. “Please do not patronize me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, ma’am.” He shrugged. “But you obviously know that old saying.”
“What old saying? And don’t call me ma’am.”
“The one that says, ‘Life’s uncertain. Eat dessert first.’” He nodded toward her hamburger. “I hate to see you waste that hamburger. Somewhere in the world, some little kid would —”
“Please. Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?”
“Just trying to put you in a better mood.”
“Well, stop trying. I don’t want to be in a better mood.”
“I had them cut that burger in half. If you can’t eat
