Options Are Good Read Online Free PDF Page B

days.”
     
    It struck Bandy the wrong way and Alan knew it immediately.
     
    “Careful what you say of the lady,” Bandy said in a tone of voice, and with a look on his face that Alan had never heard or seen.
     
    “I didn’t mean that like it sounded, Bandy,” Alan quickly said, knowing instinctively that Bandy would just flat out quit on him if he implied anything bad about Ana-Bella. “Just…”
     
    “Best you don’t say anything else,” Bandy said. “Do I get the time or not? Next two days and next Monday and Tuesday, just to make sure I have enough time to do what I need to do.”
     
    There was no way Alan would push it. “Of course you can have the time off, Bandy. And I’m sorry I upset you. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
     
    “Good enough. Then I’ll see you the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.”
     
    Bandy was still a bit stiff legged when he went back out to his truck, and Alan was feeling very lucky he hadn’t lost an employee and had his clock cleaned to boot, though he really couldn’t picture Bandy getting physical. Probably.
     
    Bandy thought long and hard on what he would take with him, and how he would approach the situation when he got there. But by seven in the morning the next morning, Bandy was on the road, headed for near Oklahoma City, still mulling over Ana-Bella’s trust in him.
     
    He pushed pretty hard, though he took breaks regularly, to eat and go to the bathroom, and top off the multiple fuel tanks installed in the truck.
     
    Bandy had planned, initially, on camping out, but the weather was taking a turn for the worse, and he decided that a couple of nights in motels wouldn’t cost him too much. It was just a matter of the best option for the situation. He could certainly handle the weather camping out, but he could make better time stopping at motels rather than setting up and then breaking down camp at a campground.
     
    It was just after noon when Bandy checked the addresses Ana-Bella had given him at the diner. He drove past the large Farm Supply business and Implement dealership that Angus Longhammer owned. A slight whistle made it past his lips. It was an impressive place.
     
    And then, when he got to Ana-Bella’s parent’s place, he whistled again. She’d said her family raised horses and cattle, but hadn’t mentioned the extent of the place.
     
    There were half a dozen beautiful barns, as well kept up as the large home, and the other three smaller homes on the property. Lush green pastures and paddocks contrasted with the deep brown of the groomed dirt in the corrals and horse training areas. The various driveways, that weren’t concrete, were nicely tended gravel.
     
    Bandy pulled up to the main gate and saw the call box on one gate post. He got out and rang the house.
     
    “Hello. Yes. My name is Bandy Hawkins and…” That was all he got out before a booming voice, even over the speaker, cut him off.
     
    “So you’re the one. Come on up. I’ll meet you out in front of the house. Mind the dogs.”
     
    Bandy saw the gate begin to slide sideways and got back into the truck to drive up the long winding driveway to the buildings on the slight rise of the property.
     
    He knew it was a test when the man standing on the walkway up to the house from the parking area stood where he was and let Bandy get out of the truck to be treated by three grown Airedales and four pups of various ages.
     
    Bandy took his time, let the dogs thoroughly check him out, and then stood up straight to walk over to greet Ana-Bella’s father, the pups running around him, still a bit excited. But the adults took off and the pups quickly followed at a word from Sheridan.
     
    “Mr. Sheridan?” Bandy asked.
     
    “Yes. Bob Sheridan.” Sheridan didn’t make the handshake a test, but it was firm. “And you are Bandy Hawkins. Not quite what I expected, from my daughter’s descriptions.”
     
    Bandy didn’t quite know what to make of it, so he didn’t mention it. “I