Free Paisley's Pattern by LoRee Peery Page B

said.
    “As big as the ocean in California?” Sara piped.
    “Sometimes it’s hard to see where the sky meets the Pacific,” Rob said. “The magnificence of the ocean is one of the most peaceful things on earth. If I think about it much, I get homesick for the beach real quick.”
    They were out of town in less than ten minutes.
    Sara stretched to see out the windshield. “You took Highway 13. Where are we going again?”
    “Just for a ride, baby. Maybe as far as Willow Creek State Park, and then we’ll go west for a bit and come back on country roads.”
    “Oh, boy. Can we play a game?”
    “How about, let’s take turns giving a little history lesson.” Ever the teacher, Nora continued, “I’ll start. We’re in Madison County and Norfolk is the seventh largest city in the state.”
    “How come it’s pronounced more like Nor Fork?” Rob asked.
    “Now that’s a conundrum I’ve contemplated since I learned how to read,” Oren answered with humor. “What’s your answer to that, teach?”
    “I’ll do an Internet search or ask someone the next time we go to the Elkhorn Valley Museum. The Elkhorn Valley is rich farmland...”
    “I know the answer.” Sarah sat tall. “I know about the name, Momma. It’s the North Fork of the Elkhorn River.”
    “Well, aren’t you the smart one?” Nora continued, “In the summertime, you can go to a rodeo or town festival almost anywhere in the state.”
    “Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska,” Sara chimed in.
    Rob rewarded her with a funny face and exaggerated smacking of lips.
    Paisley listened without the rest of the information registering. She spent her ogling between farmland out the window and Rob’s reflection in the side mirror. Would they soon have a moment alone together?
    Oren waved his hand Rob’s direction. “There’s a Nebraska map in the door pocket if you want a bigger picture than your phone gives.”
    Rob unfolded the map like a pro. “Wow. Lots of open land.”
    “Land that still bears the marks of the Oregon Trail,” Nora said.
    “Most of the population lives in the eastern part of the state. And there’s an ongoing oil pipeline controversy that has landowners and naturalists up in arms over the route of the line. At least it’s at the edge of the Sandhills instead of going through them now.”
    “We’re over the Ogallala Aquifer,” Sara informed. “Just imagine Uncle Rob, Nebraska is on top of the biggest lake in the whole United States. Maybe the whole world.”
    “Several states, at least,” Nora said with an indulgent smile.
    Oren turned off the highway. A mile later, he slowed at the park entrance.
    “It’s a state park,” Rob noted. “Do we need permission?”
    Oren pointed to the sticker in his windshield. “That’ll keep us safe if we run into a uniform. Game and Parks runs the state parks through the peak season and make periodic checks offseason. They keep track of campers and boaters and fishermen, as well as daily picnickers. Like the rest of the country except for snow sports, tourists descend May through Labor Day. So we missed the crowd by mere weeks.”
    “I would think a whole lot of outdoor recreation takes place here in the summertime,” Paisley added. “May I have one of those maps?”
    “On our way back I’ll point out the visitors’ center where you can get one.”
    “You won’t be here long enough to even look at a map, let alone have time to go anywhere,” Rob grumbled.
    “What?” Nora squeaked. “You’re leaving?”
    “She’s been offered a job back in California.” Rob tore the map on a fold.
    Paisley chose to remain quiet rather than ruin the outing. Then again, what she held to herself kept Rob hurting.
    “Let’s not let tomorrow interfere with today,” Oren said. “Want the playground, sweet girl of mine?”
    “Yes, Daddy! Let’s swing, Mom. Daddy, will you push me as high as the sky?” Sara clambered over Paisley to open the door and they all got out of the