Connor by Melissa Hosack Page B

an answer so he got back on the horse and
the two of them rode toward the stream in silence for a few minutes.
    “Sure
is beautiful out here, isn’t it?” asked his dad.
    “No
place I’d rather be,” said Connor.
    “Can
I count on you to take over running this place when I’m gone?”
    Connor
looked over at his father who had pulled his horse up so it was lined up with
Connor’s and the two men now rode side by side. Were those tears in his
father’s eyes?
    “I
will, but you’re going to be around for a long time yet.”
    No
response from his dad. Something was definitely up with him.
    “Grandkids,
I always wanted another generation of Nolan- Delaneys running around this place.”
    “Plenty of time for that.”
    His
father straightened up his cowboy hat but didn’t respond. Now he was getting
scared. His father wasn’t much of a look isn’t this beautiful and I’d like
grandkids sort of a guy. Things would happen when they were supposed to happen.
That was his philosophy.
    “Let’s
start to head back to the house. Your mother’s making her biscuits and gravy,
and you know how I love those things.”
    He
pulled on his horse’s reins and was galloping back to the house with Connor
having trouble keeping up with him. He finally saw him in sight when they got
to the stable. His dad was leaned over one of the bales of hay and taking deep
breaths.
    “Dad,
something’s wrong,” said Connor putting his arm around him.
    “Just
need a little help getting into the house, that’s all. Not as young as I once
was.”
    He
wrapped his arm around Connor and the two of them made their way toward the
house where Katy was just pulling up on the driveway.
    His
father immediately pulled his arm away from Connor. “Let go of me. I don’t want
your sister to see me like this.” He smiled. “Hey, honey bunny,” he said.
    He
hadn’t called her that since Katy had been a pre-teen.
    “You
okay, Dad? You look pale,” said Katy.
    “Never been better. Come on let’s
go eat.”
    The
three of them walked into the back of the house through the kitchen where his
mother was putting biscuits onto a platter.
    “You
guys have timed it just right. You want to wash up? The meal’s ready when you
are.”
    “I’ll
be right back,” said Connor’s dad.
    Connor
opted to wash his hands in the kitchen sink, eyeing the mouthwatering sausage
patties as he did so. He wondered if Jennifer was a good cook. Why he was
asking himself that question he didn’t quite know. He turned to see Katy and
his mom putting the last of the dishes on the table as his dad headed back out,
white as a sheet.
    “Dad,
I think you need to sit down,” said Connor, rushing to get him a chair.
    “Ted,
are you okay, honey?” asked his mom.
    He
shook his head. “I have something to tell all of you. I was hoping to do it
after we enjoyed a family meal, but I think I need to tell you now because I
can’t eat a thing.”
    “Daddy,
what is it?” asked Katy.
    “Will
you all just sit and I don’t want anyone overacting or nothing like that.”
    Connor
sat and so did his mom and sister.
    “Lizzie,
I know you’ve been thinking I’ve been fooling around with another woman and
it’s silly. I have and always will only have eyes for one girl and that’s you.”
    “So
where have you been going?” asked his mom.
    “I’m
a bit like a wild animal when it’s hurt or injured and don’t want my predators
to know it. I’ve been going for a drive around different places. Montana has to
be the most beautiful place on earth. Honey bunny, could you
hand your dad a glass of water?”
    Katy
passed it over to him and he took two large gulps.
    “So
you’re saying you’re hurt and injured?” asked his mom.
    “I
guess that’s what you’d call it. I still think they’re wrong. You know I’ve
never trusted doctors…dentists or even vets for that matter.”
    Connor
smiled even though he knew something bad was coming.
    “What’s
wrong with you, Dad?” asked