Free When Tomorrow Comes by Janette Oke Page B

could just reach out and . . . and grab a handful of the magic, they are so close.”
    “You sound like you’re in love too,” Henry joked.
    They all laughed, then Laray said seriously, “I’d like to see them.”
    “Oh, you should.”
    “Now, don’t get off on that, Sis,” Henry chided softly. “When she gets started on the North and its many splendors, she gets all dreamy,” he warned Laray.
    “I can’t help it,” admitted Christine. “I love it.”
    They reached the corner where they would part ways. Laray seemed a bit reluctant to take his leave. “See you. Tomorrow?” he said.
    Henry did not answer.
    “Are you brave enough to try Jessie’s again?”
    This time it was obvious that Laray was speaking to Christine.
    “I plan to get Henry’s lunch at home tomorrow,” she answered. “I know where to shop for groceries now,” she explained.
    “Lucky Henry,” said Laray, kicking at a hunk of snow by the roadside.
    With another good-night they moved off. It was late, and morning duties started early. Tomorrow would be a new day.
    As she had planned, Christine had Henry’s lunch ready at twelve o’clock sharp. He phoned five minutes later to say he was sorry, but he would be late. He’d had a call from a rancher and had to go check it out.
    “Will it keep?” he asked her of the meal.
    She was disappointed. She had worked the entire morning to prepare some of Henry’s favorite things. “Well, I can warm it up again tomorrow. But it won’t be as good as it would be today.”
    “Tell you what—I’ll send Laray over. He’d love a home-cooked meal.”
    “Henry, you can’t do that. How will it look to the . . . the townspeople?”
    “Oh,” said Henry. Just “Oh.”
    “Well, then, why don’t you pack it up and bring it on down to the office?”
    “Pack it up? It wouldn’t stay hot two minutes.”
    “Then Laray can pick up Amber, and you can have them both over. That’d look all right, wouldn’t it?”
    “It’s okay. We can eat it tomorrow.”
    “No. No . . . you’ve worked hard.” Henry seemed to be thinking. “Tell you what. I’ll stop at home on my way out of town. I’ll bring Laray with me.”
    There was nothing to be done but to set another plate. Christine hoped she had prepared enough. She hadn’t counted on feeding two hungry men.
    But Henry hardly stopped at home long enough to eat. He hurriedly downed some of her fried potatoes and a small piece of meatloaf, then shoved another slice between two biscuits, wrapped it in a napkin, and refilled his coffee cup. “I’ve got to run.” And he was gone.
    “I’m sorry,” began Christine as the door closed behind Henry. “I didn’t know . . .”
    “Guess his loss is my gain,” Laray said comfortably. “We get used to eating on the run like that. Don’t worry about Henry. More than he usually gets. And lots better tasting too.”
    Christine poured more coffee and passed the meatloaf again. “I hope you have time to at least chew it,” she quipped.
    Laray grinned as he took a bite.
    “You’re a very good cook,” he said a while later as he reached for his Stetson. “Let’s see. Who can I set up to call Henry tomorrow?”
    Christine managed to laugh. “Henry is off tomorrow. He and Amber are driving into Lethbridge for some shopping. I’m going to look after Danny for them.”
    “ ’Fraid I’m on duty. All day. Wish I could help you out with Danny.”
    “He’s no problem.”
    “Wish I could help you out just the same.” He gave Christine another grin, a little lopsided this time. She felt her cheeks growing warm.
    “Thanks for the lunch. Much better than Jessie’s. Maybe you should start up a restaurant in the town. Give her a little competition.”
    Christine laughed. “Not me. No, sir. Even lots of spice couldn’t hide my failures.”
    “It was delicious.”
    “Guess I lucked out.”
    “That’s not what I’m thinkin’. I’m the one who lucked out.”
    Laray placed his Stetson on his dark hair,