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Connie watched John roll into the barn well after sunup. He wore old coveralls, a thick knit hat of orange and yellow wool with earflaps and a ridiculous pom-pom—and a sheepish grin that looked pretty damn cute on him. He also brought three large mugs and a thermos of coffee that Connie was absolutely ready for.
He first served Grumps where he’d again perched on his milk crate to officiate. With no more words than a “Thank you” from her, they turned to the tractor.
John thoroughly inspected her rebuild of the front end and offered a sharp nod for a job well done. They started reassembling the engine in easy harmony.
Grumps picked up the story he’d been telling her before John arrived. A tale of Old Man George losing his two boys at a bridge across the Rhine and how it had taken the
