A Valley to Die For by Radine Trees Nehring

JoAnne never missed a chance to eat out.
    Well, what more could she do than keep calling JoAnne? If there was no answer by 3:30, she’d ask Henry if he had a Kansas City phone book and could help her find Susan’s number. Carrie didn’t remember Susan’s husband’s real name. She’d never heard him called anything but “Putt.” Surely there’d be only one Burke-Williams anyway.
    In the meantime, she’d have to deal with Evan.
    She was sure he didn’t want to talk business. Over his strong protests, she’d transferred her few investments from his office to a broker in Bonny when she moved. She wanted everything close to her new home and, she admitted now, to be finished with Evan.
    He answered the phone immediately. “Oh, Carrie, hi, thanks for calling. Um, I was hoping you might be planning a trip to Tulsa soon. I’ve, uh, wanted to see you... ”
    Carrie knew better than to ask him to make the two-hour drive to visit her, even if she’d wanted him to come. He hadn’t been near Blackberry Hollow since Amos died.
    “I really hadn’t intended to come any time soon, Evan. It’s getting into the time of year when there might be ice or snow. I’ve told you about the stone quarry they’re planning to put in our valley, and we’re busy organizing the fight against it. It may be a while... ”
    “Oh, Carrie, you can’t be that busy. How about next Saturday? We’ll, uh, meet, talk over good times here in the city, even go to a show at the Performing Arts Center, or whatever you want. You must miss being able to attend city events.”
    When she said nothing, he changed the subject. “Um... in the meantime, tell me what’s new from Rob. Has he been over?”
    Now she could talk with honest enthusiasm. “Not recently. He’s busy with his new job at the university. He likes his department head and class assignments. Says there are good research opportunities too. He’ll be here for Thanksgiving.”
    “Any daughter-in-law in sight? Is he seeing anyone special?”
    She laughed. “I don’t know. He has a very good friend in the art department at the university. He seems to spend a lot of time with her, but I haven’t met her yet.”
    “Carrie, I feel I have a part in this. Um... do you remember that I first met you and Amos when you came to see me about opening an investment account for Rob’s college back when he was six?”
    Good heavens, how could Evan think she’d forgotten that? She kept her voice light. “Well, he put his college money to good use, didn’t he? We’ll be calling him Dr. Robert Amos McCrite by next spring. We both have a lot to be proud of, Evan.”
    “Amos should be here to see it.”
    “Well, yes, but he’s not, and Rob’s fine, and I’m doing fine.” She heard her words tumbling out and stopped, changing the subject. “Evan, as you can tell, I really avoid coming to the city. It has nothing to do with you. I’ve turned into a real country girl.”
    “Uh... so you’re doing all right then? Are your investments doing well? Satisfied with our office there?”
    “Yes, Evan, and you know I have a good job, so I’m fine.”
    “At your age you shouldn’t have to work. You should be enjoying playing bridge, and trips, and whatever you want. You should have a man... um... take care of you. Huh-hunh.”
    His laugh sounded really strange, and now she was losing patience. “Evan, we’re not that old. I like my job, and you know I don’t play bridge! Some day I might travel, maybe take one of those senior citizen bus trips, but not now. I’m too busy helping other travelers find their way around Arkansas.”
    “Yes, yes, the bus trip would be a good idea. I’m glad you’re thinking of that. Perhaps we’ll plan to go together.”
    She was too shocked to answer and, after an awkward silence, he said, “Well, tell me more about what’s going on with that quarry.”
    She talked a few more minutes, filling the time, then stopped, anxious to get off the phone.
    When Evan