"Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight? Come out tonight, come out tonight? Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight, and dance by the light of the moon."

Georgie has been singing the buffalo song since he learned it in school last month. We've heard it so many times that it's getting obnoxious. Now he's screeching so loud its echoing through our old Four Tourer.

Daddy bought the 1926 Dodge in 1932 for $200. Not a bad price for a good car. She'll go anywhere and through anything. That's important here in the hills. While we consider ourselves residents of Wolf Valley, we actually live outside the town limits. And Wolf Valley ain't actually a town either. It takes about ten minutes to get into "town." That equals about fifty rousing renditions of the buffalo song.

"Zip it, will ya?" I asked Georgie.

"Why should I?" he replied. "Momma says I have the prettiest voice of all her boys. You should be taking notes, Em."

I snorted. "She only thinks that because you're actually half girl."

Georgie just rolled his eyes and continued his bellowing. One thing about growing up in a house with seven brothers is that you learn how to take an insult.

As we pulled into Wolf Valley I saw Ruby (or Tomato Head), Flora Higgins, and Penny Frost walking down the lane. As I tried to speed past, Georgie yelled, "Hey, there's Tomato H-." He couldn't finish because I smacked my hand across his mouth before his could get the rest out.

I unfortunately had to slow down to cross the train tracks. When I say slow down, I mean it. The tracks are getting a little rough in Wolf Valley due to the whole "economy" issue.

"Well I'll be! If that ain't the cutest McCarty sittin' there in the passenger seat then I've never seen one!" If Tomato Head was anything, it was loud.

Georgie blushed as red as, well, a tomato.

"Aw, shucks, Miss Ruby. Momma does say I'm her cutest baby boy." I rolled my eyes at that comment. Georgie's gonna be quite the heartbreaker one day. Just like his handsome older brother.

"Emmett McCarty! Can't you even say hello to your old desk mate?" I whipped my head around to the window and looked into the face of an angel. Penny Frost.

Penny was forced to sit with me in school because Mr. Miller was convinced she would be a "good influence" on me. She was as quiet as a little church mouse. I, on the other hand, was definitely not. She was a good girl and pretty too. But something about her changed over the winter. Penny Frost had grown up. And she was gorgeous.

"Oh, for the love of Betsy! Quit staring at poor Miss Penny." Without looking I swiped my hand to the right and successfully shut my little brother up.

"H-h-hey, Penny. How are you?" Oh lord, I stuttered. McCarty men do not stutter. I glanced over at Georgie. Before a chuckle could escape, he put his own hand over his mouth.

"I'm just fine Emmett. It was a long winter, wasn't it?"

"Yes m'am, it sure was. I didn't get to see much of anyone." Then there was silence. I was not doing the McCarty name any justice today. In front of an audience too!

"We best be going, Em. The mayor's waiting." God bless you, little brother.

"Yep Georgie. You're right."

I looked up at the angel. "We're on a mission."

"Well, we don't want to be keeping you. Maybe, if the weather holds, we can walk home from church together tomorrow." Penny Frost is asking me for a stroll? Maybe I'm the one that's half girl.

"That sounds great Penny. See you gals later." I rolled slowly over the tracks and noticed Georgie, shaking with laughter.

"Smooth, Em. Real smooth."