Bill slid an arm around Lou Ann. “Just shows. You never can tell. I had your old man figured out all wrong. Thought he was gunning for Snub’s hide.”
She laughed. “That business about dissatisfaction among the team? That was a put-up job, Billyum.”
“Putup?” He felt foolish again.
“I’d told dad about you, and the way you felt about — well, money. He didn’t want me to have anything to do with you, naturally, — because he assumed you were just interested in his money. I tried to tell him you didn’t even know I was anything but a shop girl. He couldn’t believe that. So he was trying you out. Trying to find out if there was anything you were more interested in than the pursuit of a buck.” She grinned and wrinkled her nose at him. “He found out all right. I wish I’d been there to hear it.”
Zomby cut in. “Where were you, anyway? I tried to get you on the phone, to warn you Bill was coming over with blood in his eye. Your father said you were down on your farm. I didn’t even know you had a farm.”
“Didn’t I tell you?” She pretended surprise. “Oh, yes. I had a little money of my own saved up. I bought me a couple hundred acres of cherry orchard. Down near Banning.”
“Banning?” Bill cursed himself for that parrot business again. “You bought a farm near Banning?”
“Sure,” she grinned. “So I can learn something about fruit ranching before I get married and settle down to cherries as a business. If it is a business,” she finished doubtfully. “Some people think it’s not so hot...”
Bill pulled her close with his good arm. “Shugie,” he said, “You might not make a million at it. But on you, it’ll look swell.”