scene 16

Previous.

EXT. HUNTER'S PATIO - NIGHT

Hunter, Tom and Chloe seated at the table, remnants of casserole dinner on plates pushed away. Chloe has a milk, Hunter and Tom ice waters from a glass pitcher. Moon obscured by then peeking through clouds. Tom's hat hangs off the back of the fourth chair.

A lull before DISTANT THUNDER.

HUNTER: Here it comes. This is our monsoon season, Tom.

TOM:  Yessir. Got plenty of rain in Albuquerque last night. Prob'ly somethin' you don't get a whole lot of in San Luis Obispo.

CHLOE: We get some. What we do not get are the balmy Laramie winters I'd bet you and Wanda are going to miss.

Tom laughs, not noticing the quick look Hunter and Chloe shoot each other.

TOM: No, Chloe, I'd bet ya don't.

CHLOE: Or the cool summers you'll have in Texas.

Tom laughs again and again does not notice the look Chloe and Hunter shoot each other.

TOM: Or them either.

NEARER  THUNDER.

CHLOE: Are you and Wanda going anywhere for your twenty-fifth? 

TOM: We're goin' to Hawaii.

CHLOE: Cool. What island?

TOM: Oahu. First part a the week on the beach at Waikiki, rest a the time in a town called Kailua.

CHLOE: Been before?

TOM: No ma'am. First time for both of us. 

CHLOE: Excited?

TOM: We are. I bet y'all been. 

Chloe nods. 

HUNTER: Any special plans?

TOM: Well, doin' a luau, sunset cruise and a horse ride. Wanda don't believe it but I aim to take a surfin' lesson.

CHLOE: Yay.

TOM: Seems like a good place to learn, assumin' I do manage to stand up.  Figure worst can happen is I fall off. Got a feelin' it ain't as hard a landin' as comin' off a horse.

CHLOE: You've fallen off a horse?

TOM: Plenty a times.

HUNTER: When's the last time you were on a horse? 

TOM: Couple months ago. We got friends with land horses near Sheridan, we'll get up there a couple times a year. Couple years go some of us in our square dance group rode in thwe Cheyenne Frontier Days parade.

CHLOE: How often do you square dance?

TOM: Every Thursday night. Y'ever do si do?

Chloe shakes her head.

CHLOE: Is that something you could show me how to do.

TOM: It sure is. Maybe in the mornin' before I leave.

Chloe nods. A lull.

TOM(CONT.) Well y'all, if you'll excuse me I think I'll give Wanda and Ruth a call, shower and get on to bed.

He stands, puts on hat.

HUNTER: I'm up with sunrise, Tom, and will be on the patio with coffee if you're up too.

TOM: I am too and I sure will. Chloe, just wanna thank y'again for a delicious supper. I'm gonna pass your recipe onto Wanda.

Chloe nods.

HUNTER: Goodnight, Tom.

TOM: Goodnight, y'all.

CHLOE: Goodnight.

They watch Tom walk to and open the kitchen door, turns to them and waves his hat. They wave back and watch him walk into kitchen and out of view.

HUNTER: Well.

CHLOE: Right?

HUNTER: Assuming Jackie's cousin can wrangle another horse and that Tom can and wants to, would you be okay -

CHLOE: Yes, and you read my mind, again. Does Jackie know he's here?

HUNTER: No.

He gets phone from pocket, speaks into it.

HUNTER (CONT): Jackie

Hi.

Yep, sitting on the patio.

Still on. In fact, that's why I'm calling. We have a surprise visitor and are wondering about the possibility of your cousin can find another horse, assuming surprise visitor can and wants to come along.

Tom Walker from Texas.

Yes, that Tom Walker.

Really?

I'll call ya back.

(He pockets phone.)

We have our horse.

CHLOE: But do we have our rider?

HUNTER: Let's ask.

They stand, walk to and enter the kitchen and out of view.

scene 15

Previous.

INT. PARLOR ROOM - DAY

Wall of books on shelves, piano, framed reproduction of an Ella Mewhinney Bluebonnets painting above a sofa bookended by lamps. Another lamp at chair in corner by window to front yard and street in which TWO TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRLS play catch with gloves and softball. In the driveway of house behind them a 40-YEAR-OLD MAN washes his early-70s Oldsmobile 98 with Texas plates. Turntable and speakers on stand near record shelf. FLOOR CREAK a moment before Ruth enters with the framed photograph of the picture she printed and places it on the shelf next to three hardcover books - Foglost, Water Feature and Too Short Stories - written, per the spine, by H.C. Hardyn. She looks at it, adjusts to satisfaction enough to smile and leave the room. FLOOR CREAK.

scene 14

Previous.

INT. HOME OFFICE - DAY

Cozy and warm in the light through the slats of the mostly-closed blinds. Whitetail deer mount. Printer on stand near desk Wanda sits at to print the picture that fills her computer's screen, a selfie Tom has taken of himself with Chloe and Hunter at the stone wall, mountains behind them at sunset. Computer shares desk with globe, picture frame in box, opened ream of glossy paper, and framed photograph of Tom and Wanda smiling at the camera from the saddles of their horses on a shallow stream's gravel bar, forest behind them and snowy mountains beyond. She gives the print a good look, smiles.

scene 13

Previous.

EXT. CAFE - DAY

A DOZEN DINERS in the shaded outside seating area across the street from the Downtown City Park.

BARBARA, 50ish - running shoes, fashionable track suit, ballcap - sits with JAN and JOHN, 70-somethings, at a shaded outside table with a view to the park. FAINT CLASSICAL MUSIC, murmur of conversation, clatter of dishware. Each with ice waters and near-empty glasses of white wine.     

Jan is the picture of Martha Stewart casual featuring leather loafers that match her watch band. It's hard to not notice her wedding ring. Her designer sunglasses hang from her sweater collar. Her bag hangs from the back of her chair, like Barbara's. John's loafers match the belt that around his khaki slacks. Forest-green polo shirt, handsome watch and gold wedding band. 

Jan and John lean in toward Barbara to see on her phone the picture Chloe has taken of Tom and Hunter in conversation on the patio. They are standing at the low stone wall, Tom's gaze aimed at whatever Hunter is pointing to in the direction of the mountains. 

JAN: The Marlboro Man in winter.

JOHN: Do we know what line of work he was in when he and Olivia met.

BARBARA: Ranch hand. 

JOHN: Oh you told me that. 

BARBARA: Near a place called Grass Valley. On his way to meet a friend in Mexico for fishing.

JOHN: Sure wouldn't mind knowing more about him. Like a middle name.

BARBARA: She'll call tonight.

John and Jan shoot each other a glance. Barbara pockets phone when the WAITER, 20-something, arrives with John's tuna sandwich, Barbara's soup and Jan's salad. Each thanks the waiter.

WAITER: Wine refill. 

JAN/JOHN: Yes.

BARBARA: Thank you.

WAITER: B-R-B.

Waiter leaves. 

JAN: I wonder if Hunter has siblings.

BARBARA: I'll call as soon as I'm off with Chloe.

JOHN: Thank you 

They eat.