It had been almost five years since we'd seen Benny and he was still a lanky boy then, but it was a man that got down off that horse. A tall man. Add the stubble on his face and the weariness in his eyes and I wasn't surprised I was the only one that recognized him. I stuck out my hand and said, "Glad to see you finally made it. Good timing." He shook, and we both laughed. "You hungry?"
"Starved, Uncle Bart. I haven't eaten since yesterday."
We walked over to get him a plate and some food to put on it as I asked, "Why haven't you eaten since yesterday?"
"I'm embarrassed to tell you. My money ran out."
"Didn't your father give you any money before you left Baton Rouge?"
"No."
"And why not?" I was determined to have a word with Beau about that.
"Because he didn't want me to come."
"I suppose there's a long story behind that?"
"Long and winding. Can it wait until after I eat?"
"Yes, and it can wait until you've had a bath and clean clothes, too."
"Thanks, Uncle Bart. I promise to tell you the whole story. Say, is Grandpa here?"
"You mean Ben? He's here somewhere with Ellie."
"How are they doin'? I miss him."
"They're doin' great. Ellie's teaching school and Ben comes down to the barn and rides with Maudie and me almost every day."
Benny's eyes got bright. "Where is Maudie, anyway?"
I pointed over by the pig, still bein' roasted on the spit. "See the blonde over there with the ponytail?"
"Oh my God. That beautiful creature is Maudie?"
"Yep. And there's another one runnin' around here that looks just like her. I take all the credit for how gorgeous they are."
"Bart Maverick, don't you be lyin' to this boy . . . uh, man. Sorry, Benny, you went and got all grown-up on us." Doralice gave him a hug. "Don't you believe a thing this man tells you."
"I know better than that, Aunt Doralice." He wiped his mouth and kissed her cheek.
"We've got a room all made up for you, but you gotta get some of that dust off you first."
"If there's enough hot water, I'd like to wash it off."
Doralice smiled. "I'll make enough hot water. Let's get you over to the house. Bart can let everyone know you're here. And please just call me Doralice, Benny. That's enough of a mouthful as it is."
"Yes, ma'am." They set out for the house, with Benny still eating. Just then I caught sight of Lily Mae.
"Miss Lily, that dust ball that rode in was Benny, and you'll be happy to know that Doralice is gonna get him set with a bath. That way he won't ruin your clean sheets."
"My goodness. The lad got really tall, didn't he?"
"Yeah, he did. I gotta find Ben and tell him his grandson is here and safe."
We had so many people at the party that it took me a few minutes to find Ben. He was on the edge of the yard, talkin' to Pappy. "You both'll be glad to know that the man who rode up the road to the ranch was Benny."
"Our Benny?" Ben asked.
"Who else, Brother Bent? You got a Benny we don't know about?"
"Pappy, behave. He's gonna wash some of that dirt off of him and he'll be back. He's already asked about you, Uncle Ben."
Bentley smiled, knowing that Benny had asked about him. "Maybe once he feels settled he can give us some answers."
"He's already promised to tell us the story once he's clean," I informed them. Now if Pappy would just behave . . . but I should know better than that by now.
"Don't you know what's goin' on with your own grandson?"
"No, I don't, Beauregard. Do you know what's goin' on with all your grandchildren?"
It was time for me to step in between them. They loved each other, but they'd always bickered like two old women. "Boys, boys, boys, this isn't the time or place to quarrel with each other. This is a celebratory party. So for the sake of all your grandchildren, behave like the role models you're supposed to be rather than the children you are." I'm glad that, for the most part, Bret and me don't act like that anymore.
"All right, nephew, for your sake I'll be good."
I was waiting to hear from Pappy when Ellie walked up. "Are they driving you crazy yet?" she asked.
"Close," I answered. "How do you and Maude stand 'em?"
She burst out laughing. "We don't pay any attention to them."
"Kind of like Doralice does me?"
She laughed again. "Exactly. Are you two givin' Bart a bad time?"
"Us? No."
"Don't lie to the lady, Bentley."
"Lie to her? Just remember that's my wife, you old goat."
Ellie hooked her arm through mine. "Let's get out of here and see what Benny has to say for himself."
"Miss Ellie, I think that's a fine idea."
And we headed for the house and hopefully, an explanation.
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