“Daniel, look at me. Do I look like I want to leave? I’m having the time of my life. It’s not time for us to leave yet. And don’t worry, I’ll let you know. This is good for both of us.”
“You’re happy, then?” Daniel’s voice was full of concern.
“Very happy. I’m learning, too. We’re going to make a good business team someday. Now, tell me what you think of Bebe Rosen’s visit. What do we do with the young lady? Mickey wants us to be sure she has a good time. That means you must give up several hours a day, and so must I.”
Daniel blinked at the intensity in Reuben’s voice. So…
“Another thing. Next month it will be Christmas. We have to think about a present for Mickey. I have all our pay intact. We must get her something so special, she can remember us after…you know…when we leave.”
“Maybe Bebe will have some idea,” Daniel said thoughtfully. “Girls always know about things like that. Mickey already has everything. What could we give her that would make up for all this?”
Reuben shook his head. “The cost of the gift isn’t important. It’s the thought and the effort that goes into the gift. We’re going to have to be inventive and original. I did sort of have an idea, though.”
“What is it?” Daniel asked.
“It might not work. I’m going to go to the village tomorrow and make some inquiries. If I get the right answers, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
Daniel shrugged. “That’s fine with me. Listen, I hate to bring this up, but have you thought about going back to America?”
“No, not yet. I think we’re going to stay for a while.” Reuben smiled at Daniel’s happy face. “In the meantime, I mentioned trying to get a job in the village, and Mickey convinced me there was plenty of work here. She asked me to come up with things I’d like to get involved in, and I think I’ve got some ideas. For instance, I’m sure her wines would be great in the States.”
“Have you mentioned it to her yet?”
“No, not yet…but soon, very soon. I don’t like mooching off her like this.”
Daniel read Reuben’s thoughts and changed the subject. His friend would handle it, and besides, he felt exactly the same way. There didn’t seem to be any way he could pay her back now. Someday, though, he knew he would turn himself inside out to do just that.
“How are your eyes, Daniel?” Reuben asked. “The truth.”
“Much better. They hardly tear at all now. By late afternoon, though, I have to have the compresses. It feels good to keep them closed for an hour or so. Can’t see things at a distance too well, but I can see. That’s enough for me. I’m going to have to wear glasses later on. That doesn’t bother me, though.”
“Good! And the shoulder?”
“A little stiff in the morning, but otherwise no problems. How’s your leg?”
Reuben laughed. “A bit stiff in the morning, but okay. Depends on what I’m doing. The other day I was moving some grape boxes, and it bothered me. We’re both going to be fine, considering we came that close to being dead.”
“I know. Sometimes I wake up in a sweat. I try not to think about it. Each day it gets better. How’s your vision?”
“Impaired. I have very little sight in my left eye. The right one isn’t quite normal. How do you think I’ll look in spectacles?”
“Reuben! You never said a word! Why? Why didn’t you tell me?” Daniel cried.
“Because I was afraid you’d think the same thing was going to happen to you. There’s nothing either of us can do about it. And I know you, Daniel, you’d start feeling guilty that you fared better than me. It’s over. We’re both going to live with it.”
“If you’d gone back, if you hadn’t come after me…you’d have gotten the medic to help you quicker. You should have told me.”
“Daniel, listen to me. A life is more important than a set of eyes. I’d hate it if I was blind, but I’m not, and neither are you. If I had it to do over again, I’d do the same thing. You would have done the same for me.”
“I don’t know about that. I probably would have been too scared. I’d have frozen on the spot.”
“That’s what you say now. Back then you would have done what had to be done. So let’s just drop it for now, okay? I think I’ll try to read for another hour and then turn in. Mickey might quiz me tomorrow.” Reuben said with a crooked smile. “Have you ever read Zane Grey, Daniel?”
“Yes, but I can’t say he’s a favorite of mine. It’s hard to believe Mickey likes that kind of writing. Sometimes I can’t quite figure her out,” Daniel muttered, his eyes already on the book in his lap. But he was only pretending to read. Someday…
Mickey’s surprise Thanksgiving feast stunned Reuben and Daniel.
“Is it a good surprise?” Mickey asked them. “Tell me the truth, is this like it is in America? I could do only what you described to me.”
“So that’s why you asked all those questions.” Reuben grinned. “It’s perfect. I’ve never seen so much food at one time. Who’s going to carve this magnificent bird?”
“You are, chéri. I will show you how.” She felt so wonderful standing next to him as she instructed him how to carve into the bird and then slice down. They loved her surprise. Perhaps, though, it would make them sad thinking about America. But when she looked up at Reuben, there was no sadness in his eyes at all; they held only warmth, dark and gentle, the way they always did when he gazed at her with love. She released her breath with a soft swooshing sound.
Their plates filled, Mickey surveyed her guests. “A prayer for this bountiful table is in order. Daniel, will you do it?”
Daniel nodded. “Bless us, oh Lord, for this bountiful dinner.” It was a short blessing because he was starving. The Lord would understand.
An hour and a half later, the Three Musketeers retired to the library for their coffee and pie. Thirty minutes after that, they were sound asleep on their respective chairs.
When they woke, tired and sluggish, Mickey suggested a walk and elicited a promise that afterward, Reuben and Daniel would teach her how to play poker.
“For money?” Reuben queried playfully.
“But of course. It is no fun to play for matchsticks or raisins.”
Reuben grinned. “What do you say, Daniel, a little five-card stud?” Already the walk was forgotten.
“Sounds good to me. Shall I explain the rules?”
“I must warn you, I have never been lucky at cards,” Mickey said ruefully. Three hours later Daniel and Reuben were down twenty dollars. Mickey had won the last three pots, the first with an inside straight, then a flush, and finally a full house. She laughed gleefully as she recorded her winnings.
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to get an inside straight?” Daniel grumbled. “And a full house. I’ve never had one of those.”
“Beginner’s luck,” Mickey said charitably. “Tomorrow will you show me how to shoot the dice?”
“Roll the dice,” Reuben muttered. “I suppose you want to play that for money, too.” It wasn’t exactly a question.
“If you want to play for raisins, it is all right with me. But money is so much more exciting,” Mickey teased, but then her eyes locked with Reuben’s. “I’m tired. Winning money is an exhausting