Free When Morning Comes by Francis Ray Page A

just left Dale and Bess. He’s still upset about his beer. I told him I would have done the same thing.”
    Tristan leaned against the counter. “It’s hard to look at the man he is now and remember the man he was.”
    â€œYeah, but we get to walk away and take a break. Bess can’t.”
    â€œShe’d fight anyone who tried to make her.” Tristan almost smiled. “Some women stick.”
    â€œI got lucky and blessed,” Zachary said. “Madison and the kids are my life.”
    â€œDon’t I know it. I might have to wait until Manda grows up to find me a good woman,” Tristan teased, referring to Zach’s five-year-old daughter.
    â€œDon’t even jest,” Zachary said, a shudder in his voice. “She’s growing up much too fast and so is Zachary Jr. It’s hard to believe he’ll be two in a couple of months.”
    â€œHe’ll be going out on jobs with you before you know it, just like Manda,” Tristan said.
    Zachary chuckled. “I thought she’d be more interested in TV broadcasting like her mother, but whenever I fix something around the house, she’s right there with me. Which reminds me, Bess said Dale’s dialysis is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’ll go over since the crews will be busy at your site and two others.”
    â€œThanks. I’ll pay—”
    â€œIf you want to stay my friend, you’ll forget about money where Dale is concerned,” Zachary said. “I just wish I had known his situation before now.”
    â€œHe didn’t want you to know that he was having such a hard time. That he’s messed up,” Tristan told him. “Pride got in the way.”
    â€œMy daddy always said a man who said he hadn’t made a mistake was a liar.”
    â€œYour daddy is a smart man.” Tristan sighed. “I’ve made my share.”
    â€œSame here,” Zachary said. “Thankfully we’ve learned from them.”
    Tristan caught a hint of something in Zachary’s voice. “I think you’ve moved from generality.”
    â€œYou were always smart—at least in some things,” Zachary said. “Bess likes the social worker, and was a bit concerned that she might be next on your hit list.”
    Tristan squirmed. “I’m not that bad.”
    â€œIf Manda was of age to be dating men your age, I wouldn’t let you within ten miles of her,” Zachary said.
    â€œBess doesn’t have to worry. Kara turned me down flat,” Tristan said, his irritation rising all over again. He really wasn’t that bad. “She said she wasn’t interested.”
    â€œIt sounds as if it wasn’t the answer you expected,” Zachary said.
    â€œIt wasn’t.”
    â€œNo never stopped you in the past,” Zachary said. “I don’t think it will this time either.”
    â€œYou’re right, but there’s another reason. She’s a fantastic artist. Her work deserves to be seen.”
    â€œIf only that was all you planned to see.”
    Tristan burst out laughing. “Bye, Zachary. Kiss that beautiful wife and the kids for me.”
    â€œI will. The crew should be there at eight to start tearing out. You still plan to be there every day?”
    â€œYes,” Tristan answered, looking around the kitchen. “Unlike the first job, when I let your crew do all the work, I want to show that the homeowner with no experience can do a lot of the remodeling and save money.”
    Zachary grunted. “There’s nothing like experience, but I’ll let you find out for yourself.”
    â€œWith the cameras rolling and a photographer here, the entire world is going to find out. Bye.”
    â€œBye.”
    Tristan closed the phone, finished measuring, and then walked through the house once again, seeing in his mind’s eye the changes that would make the house come alive with warmth and