Big Sky Homecoming

The rest of Sunday passed slowly, though Billy enjoyed it. They rode into the hills, where Duke showed the other man some of his favorite places—a grove of trees where he’d camped out several times, the buffalo wallow where he’d found several buffalo bones, the pond where he used to swim.

It was good to be home. It would be even better when Rose knew the feud was over and done with. How would she show her gratitude? He realized he stared into space, lost in dreams of possibilities, and forced his attention back to the here and now...

Finally, Monday arrived. He decided to wait until early afternoon, when she’d have her chores done.

“Billy, how about we go pay Rose and her family a visit?”

“Oh, I’d like that.”

“Let’s go saddle up.”

Billy rushed ahead of him. The young man loved animals and the horses responded to his entrance into the barn with welcoming nickers.

A few minutes later they rode across the prairie toward the Bell place. Duke took in a deep breath, full of fresh air the likes of which he had not breathed the whole time he was in Philadelphia. He pulled his horse to a halt so he could drink in the surroundings. The mountains were draped in white. The pine and spruce were almost black in the distance. Nearer at hand, the snow-dusted hills rolled to the river where the willow and poplar had shed their leaves and stood like quiet skeletons waiting the renewal of spring.

His gaze returned to the mountains. “You never saw anything like that back in the city, did you, Billy?”

“No.” Billy stared at the mountains. “Can we go there someday?” His words were round with awe.

“We sure can. But maybe we’ll wait until spring.”

“Okay. Are we almost to where Rose lives?”

Duke chuckled. “Are you anxious to see her?”

Billy ducked his head. “She’s pretty and nice.”

“How can you tell she’s nice?”

“I could tell by her voice when she talked to me.”

“I suppose you could.” The young man likely had more experience than most with hearing different tones in voices. As Duke well knew, people often mocked him. A kind voice would be refreshingly different.

“We’re almost there.” They crested a hill and looked down on the Bell farm. There was a new barn since he’d seen the place last year. The fruit trees had grown some and, if he wasn’t mistaken, there were more of them.

Pigs grunted in one pen, sheep milled about in another. He smiled as he recalled helping Rose chase them in. She’d made him laugh. He liked that.

Three milk cows chewed their cuds in another pen and a horse drowsed in the afternoon sun. It jerked awake and neighed at their approach.

“This is where Rose and her sisters lived with their ma and pa,” he told Billy. “I guess only Rose lives with her parents now.”

“How many sisters she got?”

“Two. You met them yesterday. Both of them are married and moved to their own places.”

“Aww. So Rose is all alone.”

“She’s still got her ma and pa.” He’d never considered that she might feel alone with her sisters gone. “She and Lilly are twins.”

“I never knowed any twins before. It makes her extra special.” He hesitated a moment. “I guess she misses Lilly.”

“I suppose so.”

“She’ll be glad you’ve come to visit.”

“We’ll see.” They continued toward the buildings.

Rose stepped from the barn and shielded her eyes to watch them approach.

As they passed the pigpen, his horse, King, snorted and sidestepped. “Settle down.”

He rode up to Rose and she looked at King as he pranced nervously. “Your horse looks like it belongs on a closed racetrack, not out on the prairie.”

“He’s a great horse.” Though a little high-spirited. Duke gripped the reins firmly. “I can handle him.” He waited for her to invite him to step down but when she didn’t, he swung off his horse and landed in front of her.

“Rose, I have good news for you.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“The feud is over. You won’t be bothered again.”

Her look went on and on, unblinking, steady and full of doubts.

“Believe me. It’s over.”

She nodded once, quickly, as if she meant only to acknowledge his words, not agree with them. “I’ll believe it when I see the evidence.”

Chapter Two (#ulink_5ac509df-53cc-588b-9730-1bc4d93a96f7)

Rose sighed as Grub, their not-so-fine watchdog, suddenly realized there was company and let out a woof. Johnny-come-lately, as Caleb described him.

At the doggie intrusion Duke’s horse reared and backed away, dragging Duke after him. “Whoa, there. Settle down.” Duke spoke firmly but the animal’s nostrils flared and he had his hands full controlling him.

Rose watched, amused and at the same time annoyed because he chose to ride a horse that was so headstrong.

Billy led his horse forward and caught her attention to him. He laughed as the floppy-eared dog trotted up, tripping over himself on the way. “What’s your doggie’s name?” He reached down to pat Grub and earned himself undying devotion.

She’d been so distracted by Duke’s presence the other day that she’d neglected to inform Billy. “Grub.”

Billy rubbed behind Grub’s ears. “You’re a good dog, ain’t ya? I can tell.” He straightened and sighed. “I wish I had a dog.”

Three cats wandered from the barn, curious as to the disturbance.

Billy cooed and scooped one up in his arms. “I wish I had a cat, too.”

“You’re welcome to play with ours anytime.” She’d suggest he take one of them home with him but she had no idea if the Caldwells would take kindly to the idea. She wouldn’t let a cat go where she couldn’t be sure it would be treated properly.

Billy studied Rose, his brown eyes wide. “You’re a nice person.”