Tyler didn’t show up to the mill on Friday either. So Ward had no chance to find out how Tyler was feeling about the visit to the farm and the dinner. As he left work and headed home a feeling of apprehension began to spread through him. It erased the gleam of hope his lunch with Emme Lou had given him the day before. His unease increased as he reached the farm and saw how excited his mother seemed to be about the upcoming visit from the Hughes family. She told Ward how Jane Hughes had welcomed the chance for the families to spend time together.
Ward begged off helping with the milking, saying he needed to get Addy and the other puppies cleaned up and ready for the boys.
“What? You gonna sprinkle ‘em with rose water and put ribbons in their hair?” Joe jibed.
Ward laughed this off. Actua
