Headstall

Yep. It definitely took fortitude and some luck to survive back then. If you didn't learn quick, you often perished. All we can do is hope Willy James is tougher than they are thinking he is.

So sad. The man could rock a teddy.

That would be ideal, Patrick, but is it too much wishful thinking? I love how invested readers are in the fate of Willy James....

Thanks so much! It is a subtle scene, but I had hoped it would pack some punch. It's understandable for August to worry... love does that... but Fletcher let him know in no uncertain terms that all he needs is him and their shared future. I'm often accused of being sappy, which is actually true, but I write mostly for these moments between characters... seeing them think while they talk, and having them share what they truly feel with us. Okay... rambling again. Yes, Runyan had quite the story to tell. As much as they were all worried for the boys, I don't believe any pictured it playing out like it did. There is no where to hide from such brutality. I have to say I love writing Runyan's character. He's the kind of character who could carry his own story. Gran is next, and I'm eager for readers to meet her. Cheers and thanks, my friend.

Happy almost birthday, Page!

I'm pleased you see that, Cane. There is potential danger around every corner in these times I'm writing about. It's not that the Old West was lawless, because it wasn't, but new frontiers attracted all kinds of people who were experts at using and manipulating and hurting others to gain a benefit. Robbers watched roads and trails for targets, as well as trains and towns with only a sheriff or a deputy spread too thin. Vigilantes were another danger, taking law into their own hands, and of course, making fatal mistakes. The real problem was that people were spread so thin as to be vulnerable to all kinds of things, not counting the very real natural dangers of the time. So... Runyan is right to be worried about Willy James. He's a man who can handle himself, but is Willy James? They are in Warrensville and almost home. August is already feeling it. Thanks, my friend.

Heartbreaking.

Sounds like they need you for all four days for the combined 3 year class.

No Drewth in this.

That is so sad. To be so lucky to have survived a war only to die before his twentieth birthday.

And there were many other young men/boys who lied about their age in order to fight in the civil war. A horrendously sad time in U. S. history. It wasn't uncommon to have eight children born and have none of them live past infancy or adolescence. Conditions were not conducive to survival for many who tried to eke out a life in an oft brutal world, and many children were left parentless. You're right, Doc, that childhood innocence is a relatively new concept for the 'new world'. Researching these times has been a real eye opener. I think of my boys at eight years old and I can't begin to imagine....

Wow. That's a long flight. Feels like you just left for your vacation a week ago.

Greetings.

I'm sure someday in the distant future someone might find bones washed into the creek, but marshy swamps generally keep their secrets. I'm convinced the two lads are safe in this instance. Runyan is a smart fellow. Yeah, Warrensville's welcome almost makes us forget what Runyan just went through. What is that saying... bad things happen when good men do nothing? Runyan is one of the good ones who did something. As a writer, I find it especially intriguing when someone who has taken some big kicks throughout his life, rises to the occasion, his dignity and compassion still intact. There is an inner strength there. He certainly didn't need to go back, but he did, and now those two young men have a good chance to be happy together. Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you hanging in with me.

Thanks, Chris! You must be traveling back from the upside down by now. Safe travels.

Thank you so much, Harshaw! I do my best to create something worth reading. Glad you are enjoying this one, and appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me and the other readers. Cheers... Gary....

Hey, Sherye! Cliffy was fun to write as the welcoming committee for Warrensville. I think it helped make August feel he'd come home, and that is no small thing. I'm sure the whole town knows who he is by now. Runyan's reception was encouraging too, wasn't it? Thanks, my dear friend.

Wouldn't that be nice? Alas, this author is not to be trusted. Murderous? Oh my! I must tread carefully. So glad readers care about Willy James. Will he get to smile? Time, my lady, will tell. Thanks for your constant support and engagement.

This story lives through the dialogue. It is always the biggest part of my story telling, and something I truly enjoy writing. There is such an honesty between these two characters as they find their balance. As much as they already know each other, there is still so much to learn, but they are doing well at it. I don't like violence, but it was common for the time, where the law was often stretched way too thin. We need to see the harshness of it, but even so, I tried to soften it by having it told about instead of seen. I believe it worked well in this situation. Runyan is very much a part of the heart of this story. We meet him late, but his impact was immediate. As young as he is, we see a stark differendce between his maturity and life experience compared to Darnell's, a boy who should have been able to keep his innocence a while longer. That's not how the world works, though. Thanks for the very thorough comment, my friend.

Hey, Doc! You just never know what's in store for Willy James... authors are weird. I think we can all feel positive for Regis and Darnell, thought I doubt Regis will want anything from his uncle. He must truly hate a man who wouldn't even let him grieve the loss of his pa, and tried to murder the man he loves. Oh my goodness... I'm so glad you see Runyan as I do... a hero. Yes, he is that and so much more, and he deserves to be happy. Thanks, my friend. We'll be meeting Gran very soon.

August wants nothing more than for Fletcher to be happy, and I'm sure it weighs on him that Fletcher's family is a truly exceptional one. I think it is human nature to get inside our own heads, and in this case I believe Fletcher did a good job of setting him straight. Well... not straight, but you know what I mean... that verbal kick in the pants. We must remember too that August has never had any kind of control over his life before now, whereas Fletcher has. Sometimes we lead and sometimes we follow. Great point about wealth, and how the Cooley boys have viewed it. As far as Maureen's choice, I think it was as simple as she fell in love and Albert loved her. Love isn't a cure-all, but it can dull sharp edges, which it seems it did for Albert, at least while she lived. I sometimes think her death may have made him even worse than he was before she met him. Writing about any kind of killing is something I take seriously, but yeah, I feel no remorse for these men we don't actually meet. We learn of them through the lads and runyan, and I thought that was enough to soften some of the violence. I don't know about you, but my heart breaks for Runyan. I see him as heroic, and heroes often have to bear the greatest tragedies in out histories and our stories. Let's hope that is not the case here. Willy James presented himself to me as such a sweetheart, and it's how I will always see him. Thank you, my dear friend. Onward to Barnswallow!

It was, right? He made Warrensville feel like home already. Thanks, bro.

That would be awesome, but in all honesty, it is not looking good right now. Hopefully Runyan will find some peace....

You know when you get a vibe about a place? I think the boys got a good one from Warrensville right away. Meeting Cliffy was a really good thing for August, making him feel at home already. If you want to know about a person, listen to the people around them. August learned a lot about how is family is thought of in that one opportune meeting. Gran will be here on Monday. As far as Willy James, if he hasn't reached Warrensville yet, things will not look good, especially to Runyan. Who knows what he might do. Thanks, Kris! As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Damn. I was hoping for a better story. I'm all about the drams.