Free Alibi Creek by Bev Magennis Page B

easy reach of his right hand.
    â€œTry one of them fries.”
    â€œI’m thinking.”
    Christ.
    â€œLook, Ross. I hate to be so blunt, but you may not get up tomorrow. You might rest your head on that pillow tonight, count your blessings, and drift on up to heaven leaving a hell of a mess behind. Owen will have to deal with the courts all by himself. An only child gets stuck with the entire burden. He’ll have to oversee the care of the ranch until probate is completed. Afterwards, he’ll have to decide what to do with the property while bearing the sorrow of your death. Ross, I still feel sad over my dad’s passing and it’s been over sixteen years. The missing never goes away. The love never dies. Owen will be carrying you in his heart long after you’ve gone, the way you carry Charlotte. The least you can do is make the practical matters easy on him.”
    â€œI had no idea he considered it a burden.”
    â€œWell, Ross, Owen is a respectful son.”
    Ross adjusted his elbows on the armrests and shifted position.
    â€œIt’s just he and I agreed to do it one way and now you’re presenting me with another.”
    â€œA better way. An easier way. A way you can prove your love and kindness. Look at it like this—you’re giving Owen a final gift.”
    He cleared the burger and fries off the table, laid out the paper and stepping aside, steered Marlene next to the old man.
    â€œI’ll need your social security number on this other piece of paper. You want your magnifying glass?”
    â€œJust pass me a pen. Point to where I sign.”

11
    L EE A NN LEFT WORK AT noon to meet Mother’s case-worker, Annette, for the quarterly documentation of the state agency’s services. Working around rules that specified Do Not Tip Caregivers, she found other ways of showing appreciation for the women who drove the long miles to Alibi Creek. Today, a Mr. Coffee 12-cup coffee maker needed a home, if not with Annette, then some other staff member. She placed the box on the front seat and waved good-bye until her arm grew heavy and fell to her side.
    The file on Mother’s progress reported, “status unchanged.” There’d come a time when that phrase would be replaced by “oxygen required,” or “full time nursing care advised.” Not only Mother, but Edgar, who’d been around since before Lee Ann was born, would be needing assistance soon enough. He’d taken to sleeping past nine, and although he never complained, his bad hip and twisted fingers prevented him from riding, or tying a knot. She’d taken to sending beans and chile over to the bunkhouse once a week and for a man who insisted on attending to all his own needs, his humble acceptance of the gesture signaled his decline. Within the year he’d quit driving, his eyesight failing as fast as his hearing.
    She went inside for a sweater, called the dogs, and whistling the theme from The Bridge on the River Kwai, started off to the creek. Before taking thirty steps, the one-tontruck emerged from behind the workshop. She herded the dogs off to the side.
    Dee pulled up and rolled down the window.
    â€œI’m off to Plank’s,” he said. “Scott and Walker are already over there.”
    She brushed her hair back from her face, searching his eyes.
    â€œYou don’t know,” he said, shifting into neutral.
    â€œI guess not.”
    â€œWe’re moving Danielle’s trailer up the canyon behind Granny’s. Walker told us to use the cinderblocks from beside the barn for supports. We’ve been working at Plank’s all morning getting it loaded on the flatbed.” He put the truck in gear and revved the engine. “See you later.”
    The dogs sat at her feet, tails wagging, waiting for the go-ahead. A scheme, this time involving Danielle. The only thing Danielle and Walker ever saw eye-to-eye on was a bottle of whiskey. If they