บท 85: Chapter 85

She smiled and took his hand. “You’ll do just fine. You managed Thanksgiving beautifully.”

“Thank you.” Barry engaged the two in conversation and managed to put aside his unease at the possible bad news from the test results.

Eventually Bess drained her cup and got to her feet. “We must be going. Like you, I’ve got a million and one things to do.”

Barry smiled and stood.

Before they left, Barry took them into the living room and retrieved their gifts from under the tree. He’d been unsure whether or not to get something for Frank; Jake said it was up to him. Jimmy had merely shrugged and said he didn’t care one way or the other. In the end, Barry had got the old cowboy a subscription to one of his ranching magazines. He’d bought a large box of continental chocolates for Bess, and bandanas for Dennis, Gary, and Zane.

Bess set her bulky wrapped package under the tree. “It’s for all three of you. I had to get some help with it from Margaret toward the end.”