Chapter 41

“No, my ring!”

“Pretty.”

“But you didn’t see it.”

JT raised a corner of the pillow, peered out blearily, and stuck his head back under it again. “Pretty.”

“Now, if you two will get out of here….” Mr. Jack glanced pointedly at the alarm clock on the bedside table. “Some of us like to sleep in on Saturday morning.”

“You’ve got to get up soon anyway, Daddy. Home Depot opens in about half an hour and you’ll want breakfast before you go. Rush and I will make breakfast. Oh, don’t say anything to Becca and Jan. We want to surprise them.” He grabbed Rush again and danced him toward the door.

“I’ll bring you a can of Coke, JT,” Rush called. JT mumbled something, and he laughed breathlessly. Once the door was closed behind them, he said, “They really don’t mind, do they?”

“Why should they? You’re smart, you’re a hard worker, and….”

Rush knew Tadder was deliberately drawing out the moment. “And?”