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didn’t reply right away. He gripped the edge of the sink, his eyes fixed on the gray gloom outside the window. “You’re right. She does need you. I’ll tell him today. It’s just ... it’s not easy, you know? There are so many things I like about working on the farm with him. But it is time to move on. Working the land is hard. It’s never ending. You’re never off duty. And the benefits, well, there aren’t any. No paid vacations, no sick hours, no company matched retirement fund ... I want to be able to provide for my family, give you everything you need.”
    She was so quiet in her terry cloth slippers that I didn’t notice her moving from her chair until I heard her voice from further away. She slipped her arms around Cam’s middle, laid her head against his back. “I know it’s hard, sweetie. He probably won’t take it well. But there’s never going to be a good time. It’s just one of those things you have to do. He’ll make adjustments.”
    Cam turned around and drew her close, kissed the top of her hair where it parted. “Thanks.”
    She leaned back to look into his eyes. “For what?”
    “Understanding.”
    He tilted his head. Their lips met. Cam’s hands slipped lower on her back, stroking. Soon, he was cleaning the inside of her mouth with his tongue. Here they go again. I grunted a sigh, stretched my long legs, and yawned.
    Lise grabbed Cam’s hand to tug him toward the hallway. “Ten minutes?”
    He stood his ground firmly. “God, I wish, but I’m late already. Besides, Hunter will throw a fit if I’m not ready to go out the door in less than two. He’s got kangaroos on the brain.”
    Lise grinned mischievously. “If you’re home on time, I just might have a surprise for you.”
    “Cheesecake?”
    “Nope.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “Did you buy that negligee? The one with the —”
    “Nope. Just come home on time. And ask your mom if she could watch Hunter for an extra hour or two. I thought we could go to Leonardo’s. Order that sinful lasagna and some tiramisu, maybe. Maybe a couple of cocktails to wash it all down with.” She pulled up the half-zipper on the front of his hoodie for him, held onto the collar of it like she didn’t want to let him go, either. “Hey, be extra careful today, okay?”
    “You tell me that every time, Lise. I’m always careful, you know that.” He gave her a quick smooch on the cheek and snatched his raincoat off the hook next to the backdoor. “See you later.”
    Just as he grabbed the doorknob, Lise blurted out, “Wait!”
    “What?”
    “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
    “Oh, yeah.” He smacked a palm to his forehead. “Hunter!”
    Hunter sped through the kitchen with his raincoat flaring out behind him. On the back of it was a picture of an elephant holding an umbrella in its trunk. Cam zipped it up, then inspected the inside of Hunter’s mouth to make sure he had brushed his teeth.
    “Something else, Cam?” Lise said.
    He dug his hands in his front pockets, jangled his keys, and patted his back pocket where he kept his wallet. “Naw, I’m good.”
    She tipped her head in my direction, her long blonde hair sweeping across her shoulder as she did so. “What about Halo?”
    “Can’t. I’ll be on the tractor all day. She’d just end up parked in the outside pen, looking like a drowned rat.”
    “Oh, all right. Go. But don’t forget to tell —”
    “I will, promise. And I’ll be back before 6:00. Go ahead and make reservations. Can’t wait to spend the evening with you, sweetie. Love you.” Nudging Hunter out the door, he blew her an air kiss.
    She caught it in her hand, brought her fist to her heart. “Love you, too, Cam.”
    It was my last chance to stop him. I rushed forward to stand in front of him, swayed over the doormat, and regurgitated every last bit of that morning’s kibble in a sloppy steaming heap at Cam’s feet.
    “Eeewww!” Hunter pointed at my offering.
    Cam flipped his hood over his head.