“Karen! Well, this is a nice surprise.”
I lifted the pie.
“Made some rhubarb pie yesterday. Thought you might enjoy one.”
His face brightened.
“You know that’s my favorite. Come inside.”
He led me into his kitchen and brought out two plates.
Within minutes, we were sitting across from each other, each with a warm slice of pie.
For a little while, we talked about the weather.
Then he asked how Ben was managing.
I told him my son was doing his best.
Arlen nodded sadly.
“Tom was a good man. One of the best I’ve known.”
My throat tightened.
“I know.”
I set down my fork.
“Arlen, there’s something important I need to tell you about the hay you bought.”
He looked at me.
I took a slow breath.
“I’m not selling the farm, Arlen. And I never gave Dwayne permission to sell a single bale.”
His hand stopped halfway to his coffee cup.
