Chapter 3
'She Found Me'
Spring had finally arrived and the thaw had begun. Flowers were starting to poke up through the packed soil. The birds were beginning to return from the south. A sweet grass aroma was filling the air. Cows were calving, horses foaling. It was a busy time of year.
Jack had to hire a few hands to help with the work around the ranch. He went back to some of the folks he met on the rodeo circuit. These were great men, honest men. The fields were yielding bountiful crops. Things were good.
Ennis traded his rusty old truck for a newer one. Not that much newer, but it was put together better. Every day he was in town at the market selling produce. There were no worries for the survival of the ranch. It was what they both wanted . . . a successful plan.
On day the telephone rang and Ennis thought he'd fall from weak knees. He got a lump in his throat.
"Ennis is that you," asked a voice he knew all too well.
"Alma, how'd you find me," questioned Ennis as he sat down on one of the kitchen chairs in fear of falling.
"It was tough, but I found you."
"Well how are you doing, how are the girls?"
"Good and that's why I'm calling you, Ennis," replied Alma, struggling with something on her side of the telephone.
"What's happening over there, are you ok," asked Ennis, seeming to be involved in the conversation.
"Your girls need you, Ennis, they need their daddy."
"I'll talk with Jack and see if the girls can come out to the ranch for a while."
"You think I want my girls experiencing that kind of living, Ennis," Alma questioned, getting angry now.
"It's not like we run around necked, Alma, so I don't see what's wrong."
"Well, you talk to Jack and see what you can do, call me when you know and we'll figure out how they'll get to you."
That night at dinner Ennis told Jack. You could hear a pin drop.
"She found you here," asked Jack while pausing his eating.
"Yeah, she did."
"You've been sending your child support," said Jack, "what else does she want from you?"
"Jack, she's right, the girls need me, I am their dad."
"Well, we'll think of something," explained Jack, "How long do you want them to stay?"
"About a month that sounds good," answered Ennis as he finished his meal and tea.
"You sure that's enough time," asked Jack, looking unsure about Ennis's answer.
"Sure, that's just enough time to keep Alma happy."
The next week Ennis telephoned Alma and told her the plan. They both agreed.