I feel so much better now that Jack's cooking tonight! Hehehe...
After collecting the eggs, taking laundry to the river and washing them, and gathering herbs for future failed dinners, I went back home to visit Dad and Gray. It turns out that things haven't changed as much around there as I anticipated. Dad and Gray have always been my heroes.
I checked on Cliffgard and gave carrots to all the horses there. I still don't have faith they can beat any of Jack's cows in the contest this Fall, but Green Ranch has still got it just like I remember.
Dad asks me how well Jack is taking care of me. I guess part of him won't break out of his being the father that protects his teenage daughter even though I'm already married. I told him that I probably couldn't be happier. And I'm pretty sure Dad is actually satisfied.
Popuri still comes every Sunday to deliver grass seeds. The look on her face tells me that she definitely feels the difference of me not around to talk to. With Dad working in the shop, it's just her and Gray outside. I hope they're at least learning to make good conversation without me. Popuri's not stupid--she knows that even if she's not going to be ready for a long time, she can't stay unwed. Maybe she wants to pass as very naïve to everyone else, and finds her ways to flirt with my brother. That's what I'm hoping. It's just going to take a lot of work because Popuri is generally not aggressive, and you would sooner wait for my learning to make garlic potato beef than expect Gray to make a first move. As far as I want to know, Gray has never made ANY kind of move before.
I obviously still haven't grown out of being meddlesome, but I don't think Jack cares too much. Even as little kids I remember us spying on other people. I guess it was a bad thing to do. Oh well.
I promised Karen I would go and see her soon. I have a lot of catching up on girl-talk to do. While I still have plenty of daylight hours left, I'd better take care of this now.
Ann