"Raymond E. Feist - Faerie Tale" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

When the boys were within shouting distance, Patrick
yelled, "This is Jack, Mom. What's for dinner?"

Gloria glanced at her watch and realized it was getting
on toward five. "Hamburgers or chicken. Whatever your
father brings back from town. Hello, Jack."

"Hello, Mrs. Hastings," answered the young man with
a grin and a decidedly southern lilt to his voice.

"How did you manage to cross paths with Heckle and
Jeckle here?"

"I noticed the boys were wandering down a gully.
Spring floods can come quickly if you don't know the
signs." Seeing a tightening around Gloria's eyes, he
quickly added, "Nothing to fret about, Mrs. Hastings.
There's been no rain in the hills for a couple of weeks, so
there's no chance of a flash flood. But it's not a good
place for the boys to play. Thought I'd mention it to
them." Gloria fixed a disapproving eye upon her boys,
who decided it was time to vanish into the house in a
clatter of sneaker-clad feet on the porch steps, punc-
tuated by a slamming screen door.

Looking briefly heavenward, Gloria turned her atten-
tion to Jack. "Thanks, Mr. . . ."

"Cole, Jack Cole. And it's no trouble, ma'am. I hope
you don't mind my being in your woods?"

"My woods?" asked Gloria.

"Your family's, I mean. Your property line runs back a
half mile beyond the creek bridge."

"A half mile. We own property for a half mile from
the house?"

"More than that. The bridge is almost a quarter mile
from here, ma'am."

"Gloria."

For a moment he looked embarrassed, then he said,
"Excuse my discomfort, ma'am, but I haven't met a lot
of actresses."

Gloria laughed. "God! What are you? A fan, out here
in the wilderness, after all these years?"