He was an older gent who had the patience to do what he had to do to get his job done. He was also good with the boarders. Wade liked him a lot. So did I. Jimmy came around the bend that led to the back riding ring and nodded, his full head of white hair blowing in the breeze as we walked by him, hand in hand. It was Saturday morning, and the boarders would be arriving soon. Saturday was always a busy day. It was still early—only eight o’clock—and the barn wouldn’t start buzzing until after ten. So we walked the grounds, and Wade described where he was going to put the indoor riding ring and some of the other plans he had for ‘progress’ at Norcross Stables. Laughing and joking with him, I was almost oblivious to everything else until he suddenly went very still and cursed under his breath. I looked up and saw that Gloria’s silver car was headed our way. “Let’s duck her,” he said. “Let’s go back to your place, get in the jeep, and hit the road.” I laughed. “That’s mean, and besides that, she might have some important papers—”
