Free Last of the Summer Tomatoes by Sherrie Henry Page B

matter. Hank won’t be visiting here, and I hope the timing works out that when I leave here I only have to go… back there for a few days before I move into my room.” Kyle noticed a sliver of sunshine coming through the window. “Looks like the storm is over. Should we find Walt?”
    “Sure. Pops will be wondering where we got off to.” Sam stood up and brushed his jeans off.
    Kyle stood up as well, wanting that closeness back, wanting that little bit of protectiveness that Sam talked about. But Sam wasn’t going back to the city with him in August; Kyle would have to learn to deal with Hank himself.
     
     
    “P OPS , how’s the radar looking?” Sam poked his head into the office.
    “Looks like we’ll have more rain, but the noisemakers are heading off to the east.”
    “Well, we do need rain.”
    “Yep, it’ll help the garden. Your mother will be happy.”
    “Yeah, I’d hate to see her if she doesn’t get her blue ribbon this year.”
    “Oh, there’d be hell to pay. How’s the chicken coop?” Walt took off his hat, rubbing his head.
    “We fixed a small hole, but in the process, Kyle injured his thumb. Figured after lunch I’d drive him to the clinic for a tetanus shot, just to be safe.”
    “Damn, forgot about that. We should have taken care of that earlier, this being a farm with miles of wire. I’ll have your mom call ahead so they now you’re coming.”
    Sam leaned out of the office doorway. “We’ll go after lunch, if that’s okay?”
    Kyle looked away from the safety procedure manual that was hanging on the wall. “Yeah, okay. Um, what does this shot involve?”
    Sam grinned. “No worries, no ass shot. It’s a small needle in the upper arm. You may not even feel it.”
    Walt stood up and stepped around his son, placing his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “You know, your last one was when you were what, ten? Maybe time for a booster while you’re there. Check with your mother.”
    Sam nodded. “I’ll do that.” He turned back to Kyle. “So what about it, we’ll have a bonding experience at the doc’s.” He used air quotes around “bonding.”
    Kyle shook his head. “So looking forward to a shot.”
    Sam walked over and slapped him on the shoulder. “Buck up. It’s an excuse to go to town.”
    Kyle shrugged. “Your mom had to take me yesterday. I don’t want to have to make you go again.”
    Sam wrinkled his brow. “What, you don’t like our little town?”
    “I don’t want to be a burden. How… um, how much does this shot cost?”
    Walt walked by them to walk out into the pasture. “Son, I’ve told you, don’t worry about the cost of anything. And believe me, getting this shot is much more cost-effective than having you get tetanus.” He went through the side door. “You guys mind running the fences before lunch? Make sure we don’t have any weak spots, just in case we get any more bad weather. Don’t want any panicked escapees.”
    “Sure, Pops. Hey, you want me to put Kyle on ol’ Bess?”
    “I think you’ve got time for a riding lesson. But if they don’t take to each other, put him on the ATV.”
    Kyle looked over at Sam. “ATV?”
    “All-terrain vehicle. Four-wheeler?”
    Kyle still looked confused.
    “Hmmm, the power of a motorcycle on four wheels.”
    “Uh, okay.”
    Sam tugged at his arm, heading in the opposite direction of the pasture. “Come on, you’re gonna either learn horse or ATV today.”
     
     
    K YLE stood next to a behemoth of a horse. Or what seemed like a behemoth. Ol’ Bess seemed nervous, her skin twitching, her head going up and down, snorts coming out of her nose. He turned to Sam. “You sure she wants to be ridden? She doesn’t seem very calm.”
    Sam dragged a saddle out of the barn. “She’s fine. That’s natural horse body language. Don’t worry, I swear, she’s the easiest ride we’ve ever had.” He swung a blanket over her back, then the saddle. A few tugs, a knot, and a buckle later, the saddle was in place. He