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Jake rides on point, with the rest of the group following. John and Joey are involved in a conversation about some of the finer points of law. Sean is riding behind them, in front of Liz and her family, keeping to himself. Liz, David and Rebekah are heavily involved in some discussion about what’s going to happen once they get back to Denver.
Jake enjoys taking the opportunity to gather his thoughts over what’s been happening for the last few months. So much and, most of it not very good. He can only hope to try and guess at what God has in store for him next.
He turns in the saddle and glances back at his blood-brother. Everyone in camp heard Liz rebuffing him earlier this morning. The tent canvas is too thin not to broadcast the sound far and wide.
He feels a deep sense of pity for John. This has got to be torture for him. To find out that not only your childhood best friend and confidant is still alive, but also that your long-lost love is as well, is just amazing. Jake’s surprised John’s still able to keep himself together enough to continue on this trip at all.
Jake looks at his adopted niece next. He knows she has been having her own trouble as well. Killing not just one man, but two, takes time to adjust to. Knowing she’s as gentle a soul as she is and considering the way Rebekah’s been treating her, he feels pity for her to have to go through this like she is.
Then there’s Sean. Poor guy. He’s having at best a crisis of faith, at worst an existential catastrophe of almost Biblical proportions. He wishes the young man would just talk about the problems he has, rather than bottling it all up like he is. Jake wonders why John hasn’t pursued further help for their young friend. After another moment’s consideration, he decides to ask his brother about what the planned treatment for the young Irishman is.
He turns to the other side and looks at Liz and her family. Liz’s declarations recently have made her seem to be somewhat off-balance. It’s almost like she’s expecting some new disaster every time anyone says anything. He loves her dearly all the same, but her pessimism is really beginning to wear on Jake’s nerves. He prays a quick and silent prayer that whatever is wrong with her gets healed sooner rather than later.
And of course, there’s David. Even though the young doctor is deep in discussion with his mother, he seems to be almost hovering over his beautiful, young, glowing wife.
Jake rocks in his saddle. Rebekah DOES have a glow about her. He’s just now seeing it. Then it hits him. He turns and looks back at John. “Not my news to share,” indeed.
He grins. John’s gonna be a grandfather! No wonder his oldest friend seems to be running around in circles lately.
He turns back to face the trail they’re on. After a moment of whistling tunelessly, much to Ranger’s chagrin, he pats his mount’s neck and says happily, “Well, old friend, it looks like today is going to be a good day after all!”
Ranger pointedly ignores him and continues on his way.
The group stops close to noon long enough to water their horses, relieve themselves and eat a cold lunch.
During the break, Jake asks David if they were expecting a little stranger at their table soon, to which the young doctor just blushes and clears his throat.
Jake laughs and remounts Ranger, taking point again.
After a couple more miles, John rides up and asks, “Do you know this area well enough to know where we’re going?”
Jake grins and nods, pointing to the east. “East, ‘til we hit the Cimarron River, then follow it to the railroad tracks. That puts us about ten miles north of Guthrie. Easiest way to get there. Even an idiot like you can’t mess up directions like that, now can ya?”
John’s gaze goes flat. “Knowing you, you’ll find a way to make a mess out of it, though.” He turns his horse around and heads back to riding alongside Joey.
Jake chuckles. They’ve been riding at a brisk walk most of the day, so he decides to pick the pace up to a mile-eating canter.
That night, when they stop, both riders and mounts are exhausted. Jake asks John what he plans for Sean and John simply replies, “Wait ‘til Guthrie.”
They have a cold camp once again, mostly because everyone is too tired to start a fire. Thankfully, it’s a warm enough summer that a campfire isn’t really all that necessary.
Once the tents are set up and a cold supper has been eaten, everyone wordlessly seeks their bed.
It isn’t until about an hour after midnight that the chorus of coyotes wakes everyone in camp. Having felt rested enough, Jake goes ahead and starts a campfire and stays up on watch until the predawn light pushes him into making coffee and a little food for breakfast.
By mutual consent, the group packs up and rides out at first light. Jake gets the feeling everyone agrees they need to be back home as quickly as they can.
Late that evening, the group reaches the Cimarron River. As they set up camp for the night, Jake takes a moment to gaze at the sluggishly moving river, getting lost in the sound and play of light on its surface.