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Quiet.

Peaceful.

Normal.

At least on the surface.

The Magnolia Ladies remained.

Of course they did.

Mrs. Jenkins watched the last truck disappear.

Then looked at me.

"You love her."

I closed my eyes.

Slowly.

Painfully.

"Please go away."

Betty patted my arm.

"No."

Doris smiled.

"We're invested now. Besides, we promised Hank we would cook him a fried chicken dinner with all the trimmings."

I walked away before I said something unkind.

Behind me, three elderly women burst into laughter.

Again.

Later That Evening

The sun had started dropping behind the mountains.

Long shadows stretched across the ranch.

I stood near the barn.

Watching.

Listening.

Waiting.

The boys were feeding horses.

Hank was inside.

The Magnolia Ladies had finally left.