LITMIR.BIZ

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down beside Daniel. “Don’t forget,” he went on in the same breath, “I’m staying with you tonight and then off to Washington, D.C. for my job interview. I can hardly wait. Can you imagine me with the movers and shakers?”

      “You’ll do well as long as you don’t talk them to death,” Daniel teased. “My dad says, ‘if you listen, you’ll know what you know and learn what the other person knows, but if you talk, you’ll not learn anything and everyone will know all you know’.”

      “Could you repeat that?” Frasier asked with a straight face and a twinkle in his eye.

      “I have great aspirations and hope to do well if I don’t disgrace myself as soon as I get there,” Ryan said.

      Daniel placed a friendly hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “One good way to save face is to keep the lower-half shut.”

      The three young men laughed and talked as they drove the twelve miles out of town to the Cortland Ranch. They had been delayed visiting with friends they hadn’t seen for a while.

      Daniel turned on to a wide, gravel driveway and drove between two large wrought iron gates with a huge C in the center. On each side was a life-sized statue of a bronze horse rearing. Magnificent Shumard Red Oaks were placed along the long driveway with big beautiful banks of azaleas between the trees. At the end of the drive, on the left, was a raised circle of flowers about twenty feet in diameter with a fountain in the center. The drive had a horseshoe-shaped circle at the front of the house and a wide sweep around to the back. At the far right, between the mansion and workers’ houses, were beautiful Cherry Laurels. Far behind the house, near the Brazos River were stately Tupelo and Weeping Willows.

      “Gosh, as many times as I’ve been here, I still think of Gone with the Wind, every time I see this place, and I’ve seen it many times,” Frasier sighed. “I do love it.”

      “Holy cow! How many rooms are in this mansion?” Ryan took a deep breath in awe as he caught his first sight of the house. “Daniel, I knew you were well off, but I never imagined this.”

      The white, two-story house, gleaming in the setting sun, presented white towering pillars supporting the second story balcony, and a twelve-foot-wide veranda wrapped around the house. Glider swings and rocking chairs were spaced on three sides of the veranda. Potted trees and flower boxes were strategically placed on the veranda and on both sides of the grand entrance.

      The tall, doublewide white doors had etched glass.

      “How many rooms? Well, let’s see,” Frasier answered. “There are eight bedrooms upstairs each with its own complete bath and walk-in closet. The master bedroom suite also has a sitting room and a home office, for Mr. Cortland. Downstairs are two half baths, a small family dining room and a large, formal dining room as well as a combination library and parlor with one of the most beautiful marble fireplaces you’ll ever see. Near the kitchen are four bedrooms, each two joined by a full bath for the live-in help. There’s a butler’s pantry and the kitchen could easily serve a small hotel. There are six well-equipped cottages on the property for other workers, and a large, luxurious guest house.”

      “Did you ever get lost in there, Daniel?” Ryan hardly breathed, his eyes wide.

      Daniel laughed, “No, I just loved and accepted it.” He continued, “At the back you’ll pass through a loggia to an outdoor swimming pool where there is a game room, two dressing rooms, and two full baths. I love my family and my home, but, as a child, I always enjoyed playing with the children of the workers and staying overnight with them. I was often at Frasier’s house more than my own.”

      “Let’s go in so you can appreciate the interior,” Frasier said.

      “It’s stupendous. Daniel, I used to envy you, but the more I’ve matured, the more I realize that money doesn’t buy happiness. Sure it’s good to know your bills are covered and there’s food on the table, but there’s really more to life than meeting these personal needs. The older I get the more I realize that often the poor people are much better off than wealthy people. The poor love and respect family and friends, but they will pull together and have the satisfaction of knowing they are accepted just because they’re nice people and not because someone is making up to them because of their wealth or social position.”

      Daniel looked astonished and then chuckled, “Boy, that was some speech. That’s what I meant when I said I wish a girl would fall for me and not my money or the Cortland name. You’ve heard the song, I want a girl just like the girl that married dear ole Dad. I would count myself richly blessed if I found such a girl.”

      “Good luck,” Ryan said sympathetically. “I have a strong feeling it’ll happen just as you wish. Why wouldn’t it? You’re one of the good guys.”

      “This conversation is getting too serious for me,” Frasier shook his head. “Let’s go to bed.”

      The next morning, after taking Ryan to the airport, Frasier and Daniel visited some friends and, as Daniel’s younger brother would say, had a goofing off time. During the following week the two young men rode horseback over land dotted with cattle and fields that would be filled with wildflowers in the spring. There would be bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and loads of sweet smelling purple sage later in early summer.

      “The time has passed too quickly,” Daniel groaned. “I know you need to get back to Oregon, but I sure would love for you to stay. Frasier, are you sure you must go back now? The law office won’t fold if you stay away a few more days. You’re one of the few people I feel I can be myself with. I’m not constantly on guard with you for fear I’ll do or say the wrong thing. Too, you know me through and through so I don’t have to impress you.”

      “Hey, man,” Frasier teased. “Are you three or twenty-three? You have more going for you than you realize. Where did this lack of self-confidence come from? You weren’t like this in college.”

      “Whenever I’m home, I become the Cortland’s little boy, and then I find myself trying so hard for their approval. At least my parents are now talking to me,” he sighed, “but the subject of my future hasn’t been discussed again. I dread it.”

      “Take it easy. I know you respect your parents, but you must have confidence in yourself. I’m sure all will turn out all right eventually. I’m as close as the phone, and I’ll always come if you truly need me. Or just call to talk. I still feel as if you’re really my brother.”

      With misty eyes Daniel hugged his friend. “To say a simple thank you is inadequate to express my sincere gratitude and affection for you. Aw, pay no attention to me. One of these days I’ll surprise you and grow up,” he smiled weakly. “Keep in touch and do come any time you can. I’ve said it many times, I, too, feel as if you’re a brother to me.”

      Frasier gave a mock salute and ran to board the plane.

      Several days after Frasier left, Daniel drove a jeep from the Cortland Ranch in Sugar Land fifty-five miles to a Galveston beach. He parked and walked aimlessly for almost an hour while he tried to think how he could convince his parents that he wasn’t turning his back on family; he just wanted to work, as a photojournalist.

      Deep in thought, it dawned on him that he was hearing a woman’s voice yelling, “Look out!”

      He looked all around to see if someone was in trouble, but he couldn’t see anyone. He heard it closer, “LOOK OUT!” the voice screamed as he was knocked to the sand and covered in a thick cloth. Fighting to get out from under whatever was on him, he collided with a struggling body.

      “Idiot! Didn’t you hear me?”

       Chapter Two

      Sitting dazed on the sand Daniel stared in amazement at the woman looming over him with fists planted belligerently on slim hips and fire in her hazel-green eyes. Her red-gold hair had come loose from a twist on the back of her head and was straggling down around her flushed face. She continued to harangue Daniel while she kicked loose

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