They came down toward Three Creeks across the edge of Ed Brack’s land, possibly because it was across their route, certainly because Jody hoped that one of the hands would see those two bulls and take the news to Ed. But they didn’t see a living soul and came down into the Storm valley over the saddle and there breathed their horses.
Jody looked at the others.
Hijinio was nodding, smiling.
Manuela turned to Jody.
“So this is where you live, Jody,” she said.
Harrison’s eyes were everywhere, assessing the land below him.
“By God,” he said. “Boy, this is pretty fair country.”
Jody didn’t say a word. He was so damned glad to be home, he couldn’t speak. It looked just as he had left it. He realized that he hadn’t been gone any time at all. But a great deal had happened in that time. He felt that the Jody Storm who had ridden out of here no more than a few weeks back had been nothing but a callow boy.
They rode down and pretty soon their horses’ hoofs were going swish-swish through the lush grass. The tired horses and the bulls picked up, knowing that water and bait was ahead of them. They passed longhorns that lifted their heads and gazed as they passed. No longer wild stock on the rich grass and in the security of the valley, they did not now turn tail and run at the sight of a man. They would still gore a man on foot, of course — they wouldn’t have been longhorns if they didn’t.
Harrison looked at them appreciatively.
“Plenty tallow there,” hell said.
They came in sight of the two creeks under the western wall and there was the house, low and stout on its rising ground, smoke rising reassuringly from the chimney. The horses moved in the corral to the east of the house. It was time for the evening meal. Jody could make out figures in front of the building. Excitement rose in him.
Manuela started tidying her hair.
“I am in no condition to meet folks,” she said. “Prescott I can’t be seen in pants.”
“Don’t you fret,” said Harrison. “You look jest fine.”
“I look awful.”
“Beautiful,” said Harrison and looked at her with a kind of pride.
As they rode around the edge of the corral, Ma and Pa were there, walking to meet them. The others came behind. Jody drew rein, stepping down from the saddle. His father’s horny hand gripped his. For a moment, nobody said anything. The corners of his father’s eyes were crinkled. Ma put her arms around him briefly. Then there were Kate and Melissa. They were not short on words. The others were shaking his hand — Uncle Mart, George, Clay and Sarah — Sarah kissed him. Pete Hanno and Riley Brack, grinning, praising the fine bulls, making jokes. They must have known he was coming. They were all here.
He introduced Manuela, Harrison and Hijinio. There was laughter, backslapping. Pete and Riley took the horses. Pa sucked his pipe and walked around the bulls, nodding. He looked around at Jody. His eyes said that Jody had done well.
“We nigh gave you up, son,” he said. “Any trouble?”
Jody looked at Harrison.
“Not so’s you’d notice,” Jody said.
Harrison said: “I could say different an’, given time, I shall do jest that, folks. I have a tale to tell that’ll make you sit up an’ take notice. That son of yourn, Mr. Storm, he sure is a heller.”
Pa smiled a little.
“We did suspect it, Mr. Harrison,” he said.
Later around the table, their bellies full, the men belching softly, they talked. Or rather Harrison talked. He held the floor, enjoying himself to the full. Manuela, wearing one of Kate’s dresses, watched her man tolerantly. Ma and the girls seemed captivated by Harrison. Even Pa and Uncle Mart seemed to have warmed to the man.
For once in his life, Jody found that he didn’t have anything to say. For once, he was content to sit still in the enveloping presence of his family and savor it. He heard Harrison telling of the events of the past few days. He made no mention of Honoria and for that Jody was grateful. It was as if he were listening to a story about a stranger.
When Harrison was through, Will turned to his son and said: “Sounds to me like you did pretty well, son.”
“Aw,” said Jody, feeling all their eyes on him, “I made out, I reckon.”