Headstall

Lol. Me too. When that line came to me, I knew I had my title. What can be more romantic than hearing a cowboy would rope the moon for you. It's one of those things that can only come from a heart filled with love.

Thanks, buddy. It was certainly a long one. I used to write these incredibly long chapters when I first started, but now they are few and far between. Appreciate the support.

Didn't sound mean at all, Jason. I tried to make the retelling as different as a could, but yeah, there is a built-in trap there. August had to win Roland over, and the biggest significance for me as a writer was revealing why the story was named as it was. This very long chapter was also about the stark contrast between Albert and Roland as well as the growing confidence of August. He's proving he is more than his father always thought he was, maybe even earning some praise? He's playing his father off at every turn now. It's truly amazing , in my humble opinion, that he wasn't tainted by his raising as a Cooley. I attribute that, his innate goodness, to his mother. You gave me grief? Pffft. That weren't nothing, cowboy. Not sure I want to know where your tongue was firmly pressed. Glad you had a good break away. It's flaming hot here(not gay flaming), so I stay in my air conditioned house as much as I can. Cheers!

What, no complaining about unnecessary and wasted shedding of clothes? I'm feeling quite blessed indeed. Thanks, Jason. Hope you had a good mini-vacay. Cheers!

Thanks, Patrick! I'll take fantastic and phenomenal any day. August handled himself really well with Roland, just by being honest. I couldn't agree with Roland more that August is a measured man. He's fast thinking, he's thoughtful, and his goodness shines through despite years of towing the Cooley line. On a side note, I loved how this chapter started out, and how it progressed. Now we know where the title of the story comes from. Thanks, buddy. I love hearing from you. Cheers! G

Lol. We all thought we knew Albert, but this chapter throws a wrench in that. We learn he is capable of love, did love his first wife, and we even see something we would attribute to kindness from a normal man. Is it, though? Or is it part of his one-sided competition with Roland? Love does change people, but only so much. Losing Maureen had Albert reverting to the cold, cruel man he was before they met. Was it bitterness over his loss? Or just his nature? I will say this. I believe there is a grudging respect for August... I think August has forced him to give him credit, and just maybe we are seeing some pride from his father. So far, so good, but who's to say. Fingers crossed it's clear skies ahead for the pair. Thanks for this, my friend.

These show your gift for poetic frontier idiom and emotional clarity. August’s confession to Roland is the standout moment: vulnerable, honest, and deeply human. The contrast between Albert Cooley’s harsh unpredictability and Roland Crawley’s cautious fairness adds strong dramatic tension. The pacing is tight, with each scene raising the stakes — from Rob’s spying to August’s bold plan. If anything, a few dialogue blocks could be broken with small physical beats to keep rhythm, and trimming a couple repeated emotional notes would sharpen the flow. But overall, this chapter is textured, heartfelt, and structurally confident. Albert and Roland couldn't be more different, as fathers and as men. Thanks, Albert, for such a thorough, astonishing comment. I do strive to be as authentic with my westerns as possible without overdoing it. It requires incredible attention to detail, and a lot of unaided hard work, but that is writing for me. Any 'gifts' I may have come from this, and my dedication to my readers. I do my best to keep it real. Those suggestions contained in this comment have been noted, and are appreciated. Thanks for the support. Cheers, my friend. Gary.

Lol. I can tell you Bearpaw and this story are not connected. Albert Cooley can be a confusing character. We learn in this chapter he truly loved Maureen, so we know he is capable. But... did he see love as a weakness after she passed? I believe he was bitter over his loss, and shut out everyone who could make him hurt. Infantile, yes, but human too. Loved obviously changed him, but can it change him again? Sure seems like it. His 'gifts' to his youngest son were telling indeed, but we can't really be sure completely of his motivation. The main thing is that August is prepared for the coming journey with most all he needs. And now they have Roland's blessing. It's falling into place 'like a thrown lariat over horns'. Thanks, buddy... appreciate the support. Cheers! We don't know Virginia's age, but August says he would bet she was younger. Time will tell. This was a long chapter to piece together, but we learn a lot about Fletcher's family. He is fortunate to have the parents he does, and Roland does stand in sharp contrast to Albert.

Chapter 6 is up...

Like a Thrown Lariat Over Horns August leapt out of bed while a multitude of stars still shone above, devouring a cold breakfast like a starving man before heading out to the shed. The ground was damp from some badly needed rain, yet not a single drop had interrupted his dreams. Though it weren’t enough to make much difference, it be a good sign more could be coming, leastwise he hoped so. He turned his lantern wick up full to inspect the old harness, making sure it was a

Have a fantastical day, all!

Oh... do tell, spikey.

Greetings to thee of muggle born, full bloods, and demon spawn. Have a wanderful day.

Magnesium glycinate one to two hours before bed has helped me.

Stop picking on your sweet sister!

And we all know Drew's Slytherin.

Hello, dear brother.

Hello, Griffindor! Wands at the ready... not you, Chris

How about, you are a defective unit.

I asked you, Mister Know-it-all.

Thanks, Tink. It 36 and feels like 42 here.

Why Switzerland?

Oh. My. God.