Buffalo Valley Read Free

think. Poor little guy seems prone to ear infections.” She turned to Vaughn with a smile. “Nice meeting you,” she said. She wrapped the mufflers around her face again before she headed out the door.
    â€œYou, too,” Vaughn murmered.
    Carrie reached across the counter and grabbed a second mug for herself. “Hassie told you about the War Memorial, didn’t she? We’re all proud of that.” Not waiting for a response, she continued, “The townbuilt the Memorial three years ago, and it honors everyone from Buffalo Valley who died in war. The only one most of us actually remember is Hassie’s son. But there were others. We lost Harvey Schmidt in the Korean War and five men in World War II, but none of their families live in the area anymore.”
    â€œYou knew Vaughn Knight?” The blonde seemed far too young to have known Hassie’s son.
    â€œNot personally. But from the time I was small, Hassie told my brothers and me about Vaughn. It’s been her mission to make sure he isn’t forgotten.”
    Vaughn had heard about Vaughn Knight from his own parents of course, since they’d both been close to Hassie’s son.
    Carrie sipped her coffee. “Hassie told me it was one of the greatest honors of her life that your parents chose to remember her son through you.”
    Vaughn nodded, disappointed that he’d missed meeting the older woman. “What time did you say Hassie would be back?”
    â€œAround six, I guess.”
    Vaughn checked his watch. He didn’t intend to make an entire day of this.
    â€œIf Hassie had known you were coming, I don’t think anything could’ve kept her away.”
    â€œI should have phoned beforehand,” he muttered. “But…”
    â€œI hope you’ll wait.”
    Vaughn glanced at his watch again. Three hours was far longer than he wanted to stick around. “Tell her I’ll come by some other time.”
    â€œPlease stay. Hassie would feel terrible if she learned you’d left without meeting her.” She hesitated, obviously thinking. “Listen,” she said, “I’ll phone Leta Betts and ask if she can fill in for me for a couple of hours.”
    Vaughn reconsidered. He might get all the information he needed from Carrie; then he could meet Hassie on strictly social terms. He’d been vaguely uncomfortable about questioning Hassie, anyway.
    â€œPlease,” she said, “it would mean the world to Hassie, and I’d be delighted to give you a tour of town.”
    Perfect. He’d learn everything Natalie wanted to know and more. “That’s a generous offer. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    â€œI’d consider it a pleasure,” she said, and smiled.
    With her looking up at him that way, smiling and appreciative, Vaughn couldn’t help noticing that Carrie Hendrickson was a very attractive woman. Notthat Natalie had anything to worry about, he told himself staunchly.
    Â 
    Working closely with Hassie as an intern pharmacist, Carrie Hendrickson was keenly aware of how eager the older woman was to meet her son’s namesake. A few months ago, Hassie had heard that the Kyles had retired in Grand Forks and she’d mailed off a note, inviting them to visit Buffalo Valley. Apparently they planned to do that sometime in the new year. Hassie would be ecstatic about finally meeting their son.
    Carrie loved Hassie Knight, who was her mentor and her friend. Following Carrie’s divorce, Hassie had given her sympathy—and good, brisk, commonsense advice. She’d guided her through the fog of her pain and encouraged her to look toward the future. Many an afternoon they’d spent talking, reminiscing, sitting quietly together. Hassie had shared the grief of her own losses and helped Carrie deal with Alec’s betrayal in ways her own mother never could. Hassie was the person who’d suggested she return to college. Carrie had