“Did he, now? You wouldn’t lie about that, would you?”

“I would if need be but he did indeed say that.” Sully got up, a bit slower than he used to, and walked through the store to the little bar. He went behind while she grabbed a stool. “What’s your pleasure?” he asked.

“Is there a cold white wine back there with the cork out?” she asked.

“No, but it would be my pleasure to uncork this really nice La Crema and let you steal it. You can take it back to the house with you.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“Now, I’d like you to do something for me, Maggie.”

“What’s that, Dad?”

“I’d like you to go out to the porch where that nice Cal Jones just sat down, and invite him to join us. Right after you apologize for being such an ass.”

“Dad...”

“You think I’m kidding around? Really, I didn’t raise you like that and maybe Phoebe did but I doubt it. She’s snooty but not nasty. I’ve never seen the like.”

She took a breath. “After your behavior in the hospital...”

“After you get your chest sawed open, we’ll compare notes. For now, the man was decent enough to help Enid and we’re grateful. Aren’t we, Maggie?”

She sighed. “You know what this is like? This is like getting in trouble at school and being marched back to the classroom to humbly take your medicine. How do you know he’s not a serial killer?”

“I’m not,” said an amused voice.

“Don’t you just have the worst habit of sneaking up on people!” she said. “This old man is a heart patient!”

“That’s no way to worm back into my good graces, calling me old,” Sully said. “Besides, I saw him coming. Say what I told you, Maggie.”

“I might’ve been a little impatient today,” she said. “And perhaps I didn’t show my gratitude very well...”

“She was an ass,” Sully said. “Not like her, neither. You want a little pop, son?”

“You’re on,” he said, sitting on one of the stools. “How about a Chivas, neat, water back.”

While Sully pulled the cork out of the wine, he talked. “So, Maggie here is very tough but tenderhearted and usually very good with her manners. Much better than I am. But I think putting up with me for three weeks since this operation just plain ruined her.” He pushed a glass of wine toward Maggie. “She isn’t going to do that again. Unless you give her trouble. Don’t give her trouble, son. She’s very strong.”

Maggie the bold and strong, she thought.

“I don’t have any trouble in me, Sully,” Cal said with a chuckle. “I’m just checking out Colorado.”

“And what are you doing here?” she asked. When both men looked at her, she held up a hand. “Hey, no offense, but people usually have a reason for finding themselves at Sullivan’s Crossing.”

“No offense taken,” he said. “I’ve been doing some hiking here and there. Hiking and camping. There’s a lot of stuff online about hiking the Divide, but you don’t want to hit the Rockies before May, and that might even be too soon...”

“Not this year,” Sully said. “It’s an early thaw. We damn near washed into the lake one year with an early thaw. The snowpack flows to the west but we’re not without our wash. I gotta figure out how to get that garden in without lifting a finger.”

Maggie laughed. “Once again, he talks about me like I’m not even here. Of course I’ll help with the garden. So, you think you might hike the whole CDT?”