Someday Isn't Far Off by Jan Halen

Author:Jan Halen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781960859006
Publisher: Plot Twist Publishing

CHAPTER 29

Cody

Mom slept late. Cody had to wake her so he could get her set up for the day before he met with Wayne. After he’d fed her, cleaned her up, and settled her in her chair, Skippy jumped up for his morning rock on her lap. She stroked the little dog’s ears.

“Is Lina here yet?” she asked.

She caught him off guard. He remembered how she’d trembled last night when Mrs. Bauer asked him about Lina.

“What? No … I … Mom,” he stammered. “I’ve got chores.”

“She better hurry, before the wind comes.”

“I’ll tell her to hurry. Take care of Skippy. I’ll check on you in a bit.” He narrowed his gaze at his mom. This was not her usual kind of disorientation. Sort of, but different. He decided to come back as soon as the bills were done rather than working until lunch.

In the garage, a stack of invoices was piled high on the workbench and two stools were pulled up, but Wayne was nowhere in sight. Cody checked out in front of the barn and found him and Eli speaking to a police officer. The trunk of the patrol car served as a table where Eli’s tablet was propped up and the officer took notes.

“Three cows are confirmed missing,” Eli said. “I have their ID tag information here, and a photo of each animal.”

The officer gave him a tolerant look. “Photos?”

“What? I finished cataloging all the animals a few days ago.” Eli tucked his tablet under his arm. “It was fun.”

“So, you’re claiming a broken fence that you’ve already repaired and three missing cows. And nobody saw anything suspicious?” the officer asked.

Wayne stepped in to help Eli out. “No, but we’ll be more alert now. If you find anyone selling these stolen cows, we’d appreciate hearing about it.”

The officer snapped his notebook shut. “I’ll be in touch.” He got in the patrol car and drove off.

“We ain’t never seeing those cows again.” Wayne kicked at the dust.

The pressure of the situation weighed between the men. “Damn, I named them …” Cody said, his humor a poor attempt at lightening the loss of the cattle.

“Oh man! What a loser.” Eli punched Cody in the arm, and they scuffled a minute.

Wayne had had enough. He stalked off to the garage, scolding them. “Ain’t neither one of you got a brain in your blasted skulls.”

The boys stilled their wrestling, Cody’s ball cap in the dirt and his head locked in the crook of Eli’s arm. As soon as Eli released him, Cody straightened out his shirt. Eli may have been taller and stronger, but he was out of breath. At least it hadn’t been easy for him to lock Cody.

“Are the missing cows ours or Chancer’s?” Cody asked, dropping the playfulness of their wrestle.

Eli hitched up his pants. “They’re yours. Thank goodness—wouldn’t want to lose the contract with Frank Chancer.”

“Yeah, we need the income.” Cody picked up Eli’s tablet from the ground where it had toppled. “Sorry for making jokes. I think I was trying to show Wayne I ain’t mad at him and it’s not his fault.

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