MISS MIX, KIDNAPPER by KATHLEEN NORRIS

The father of a college age boy receives a letter from his son announcing his engagenet to an older lady (32) and dad assumes the worst. He leaves NY for California with plans of convincing his son to call it off. He meets Miss Mix as she is working in her back yard chicken coup, believing he (Mr Fox, Anthony's dad) to be the repairman she had called. Once they get things straightened out, he begins to realoly admire her for taking his son under her wing. Its a great story. I'm a little hoarse, my apologies.