THE LONE OLD TIMER 30

a few days later art had been released and was back at bucks house. sharn had returned to work but she and cloe drove out every night and cooked supper for buck and art. buck had commented he would need a few new pairs of pants because these were getting to tight. on the next monday morning buck asked art if he would be ok for the day. he had some business to tend to. art assured him he was good. so after breakfast he watched buck drive out of the yard. his side was still tender but he could move around if he was careful he was going to wash the dishes and clean up the house a little then maybe go to the barn and brush his horse. late that afternoon buck came back. he seemed very happy. he went out and did the evening chores. as he was walking back to the house wes drove in followed by cloe and sharone. buck thought to himself" ill have a audiance i guess." wes and buck and art were sitting on the porch with cold drinks when buck called sharonen to come out side. her and cloe stepped out the door. " that ole hard case judge ruled on roy slapping that cop. he got a year in the pokey for that, no parole. so for at least a year you wont have to worry about him."wes explained. sharon nodded and said" thank you for bringing that" when supper was ready all of them bunched up at the table and enjoyed a good meal. when they all had finished and got up from the table buck simply" said you all stay put" he stepped up to cloe. reaching into his shirt pocket he brought out a diamond ring" he took her hand ad slid the ring on her finger" ime asking you in front of our friends but will you marry me?" cloe threw her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. when she backed away she simply said" yes"