The two men, father and son, walked in the kitchen door, and after pouring some coffee, sat at the kitchen table. Both were covered with dust , and sweat. “Well, that is a good job of branding done,” Tanner Ford said to his son, Clint.
“You pretty well set for a while? I’m thinking of going Michigan way, to do some fishing with Matt Tudhope.”
“Sure, no problem. Say, when do you report to training camp this year?”
“July 18, but I’m planning on being there two weeks early to help out with the rookies.”
With a grin. Tanner verbally jabbed his son, “Make sure you earn your keep.”
Clint loved it when the old man kidded with him, but he knew that Tanner was making sure that his being an “All American,” and an “All Pro,” plus his multi-year, and multi-million dollar contract did not go to his head.
Tanner had made his money years ago, and could retire, but that was not what the man was about. At age forty-six, he was lean, tanned, with a rawhide look. His eyes are what you looked at. They are light blue, and danced with humor.
Sports reporters often commented that Clint played every game like it was the “Super Bowl.” They thought that his goal was the “Hall of Fame.” Hell no, he played that way, because that is the way his old man played the game of life.
Clint’s mother had died two years ago. That made he and his father even closer.
“Any woman in your life, Clint?”
“No Sir. You know, I wish that I had hooked up with a gal, before all this fuss was made about me. Now, I have the feeling that a gal that comes on to me is after my checkbook.”
“Some are, but you will find a good one. Keep looking.”
Two days later, Clint was having lunch with Matt at the McDonald’s in Muskegon, Michigan. Matt’s wife, Carol, came in leading another woman by the hand. Carol spied the men. She brought the other woman over to sit with them. As they approached, Clint observed that the woman was blind.
“Ashley; my husband, and his friend are sitting at this booth. You stay here, while I get our food. Ashley McDowell, this is Matt and his friend, Clint Ford. Matt, she is my friend from church, that I told you about.”
Ashley and Matt begin to discuss events at church. Clint watched her. He was fascinated by her vivaciousness, femininity, and just plain good looks. Her black hair was cut in a “Hamel” She had perfect complexion, along with high cheek bones, and a tiny nose. For a woman, she had a smooth, low voice.
She caught him off guard, when she asked, “Clint, where are you from, and what do you do?”
Matt choked on his coffee, when Clint answered, “I’m from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, north of Tulsa. I work part time helping my Dad on his beef ranch. Part of the year, I work with a ten other men. My job is to deliver things to others.” Clint raised his finger to his lips, signaling to Matt that he did not want her to know what he really did. As Carol placed the gals food on the table, Matt showed her a note, written on a napkin, telling her of Clint’s deception. Carol, knowing that Clint would not do that unless he was interested in Ashley, formed the word “Oh,” with her lips, as she rolled her eyes.
“Guys, Ashley is twenty-three. She lives with her Mom in the first home this side of the State park. She is not dating anyone. So, if someone wanted to take two gals on a boat ride this afternoon, hint, hint, we are easy to find.”
Clint nodded up and down, as he caught Matt’s glance. Formally, Matt asked,“If Mrs. Carol Tudhope, and Ms. Ashley McDowell would like to cruise up the coast, this crew is at your disposal.” It was a delightful afternoon.
Clint talked Carol into letting him take Ashley home. They stopped at the State park to chat. He wanted to know all about her. Her Dad was dead. Business degree from a community college. Had never had a boy friend. Hungered to travel, explore, hear the world, first hand. There was little money in her family, so she was resigned to staying in Muskegon, with her Mom. “How can she be so vivacious, warm, and upbeat, being blind, with that future?” Clint mused to himself.
Her Mom was out when he dropped her off, and when he picked her up the next day. He told Matt that he would skip fishing, as he had to be with her.
By early afternoon, Clint had decided that he wanted to build a relationship with her. He asked her if she would like to join him on a seven day cruise in the Caribbean. Ashley said nothing for all of a minute. “Clint, the thought of going so far, with a man that I have just met, is just a wild idea. There is something about you that makes me trust you. Lets go talk to my Mom. If she says yes, I’ll go!”
“Fair enough.”
“Mom, I want you to meet someone,” Ashley said, as they sat on her couch.
Clint stood. As he offered his hand to the woman that appeared from the kitchen, He said, “Mrs. McDowell, I’m Clint Ford, nice to meet you.”
“Very nice to meet you. I’m Susan. Ashley told me that she enjoyed your company yesterday. I must say, that you are not what I expected.” To herself, Susan thought, “Good God, no. Where on earth did Ashley find this man? He is six-four, weights over two hundred, has bright blue sparkling eyes, a deep tan, and light brown, curly hair. Handsome.” “What do you do?”
“Help my dad out, part time, on his beef ranch, near Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as well as working part of the year with ten men. I deliver things to people.”
As the conversation, continued, she listen to what he said, and how he said it. She sensed that this man was more then he let on. At twenty-four, he had the assurance, knowledge, and ease, of an educated man, who had been around.
