Old Mr. Ram didn’t miss a trick. Come tomorrow, I won’t be needin’ to tell him about it.”

“Good,” Wyatt said. “I’ll take all these normal days that I can get. I’m going to see how he’s doing. Besides, he asked me to bring the bottle.”

“That don’t surprise me none,” Aunt Lou answered. “Besides, I don’t need no men messing up my kitchen, anyway.”

Wyatt sneaked up behind her and pecked her cheek.

“Out!” she shouted, again waving the small cleaver in the air.

On leaving the kitchen, Wyatt sauntered back through the grand foyer. He stepped onto the porch and pulled a rocking chair up alongside his father’s.

“Took you long enough,” Ram said.

“I had a talk with Aunt Lou,” Wyatt answered. “Dinner will be ready soon. Where are Morgan and Sissy?”

Ram snorted out a laugh. “He’s always late. I swear, sometimes that man can’t get out of his own way.”

Wyatt smiled at that because he agreed with Ram about his brother. Morgan was a brilliant attorney, and a good husband and father. He was also a bit obsessive-compulsive, especially when it came to lawyering. That was just as well, for Morgan had never been much of a rancher.

Just then they saw Morgan’s Mercedes pull off the highway and start up the drive toward the house. After giving Wyatt a sly grin, Ram nudged the dogs with one boot.

At once Butch and Sundance left the porch to go running toward Morgan’s car. Although he had taken no hand in it, Wyatt winced at the ensuing carnage. As Morgan, Sissy, and their two children exited the Mercedes, the look on Morgan’s face said it all. Morgan was heavier than Wyatt, his brown hair thinning at the temples.

“Jesus Christ, Dad!” Morgan shouted as he clambered up the steps. “That car’s brand new! Can’t you control those damn mutts of yours?”

“They love you, that’s all,” Ram answered innocently. “Besides, turning them loose like that was Wyatt’s idea.”

Wyatt was about to protest, but Morgan raised a hand. “Don’t worry, little brother,” he said. “I’m lawyer enough to know a lie when I hear it. Besides, I need a drink.” Without further ado, he stomped into the house.

Sissy next ascended the steps, followed by Jack and Esther, ages ten and twelve. Sissy was a pretty blonde, with long hair and an attractive figure. Leaning down, she gave Wyatt a peck on the cheek.

“Hey, hot stuff,” she said.

“Hey, Sissy,” he answered.

Sissy put her hands on her hips and gave Ram a ferocious glare that all three of them knew wasn’t real. “Hello, old man,” she said. “Does this little stunt of yours mean that it’s going to be one of those nights?”

“I dunno what you’re talking about,” Ram answered. “All I want is a nice, quiet drink, and then dinner with my family. When in hell did everybody’s vehicles become my problem?”

“Uh-huh,” Sissy answered.