Headstall

The chapter started out so sweet... and ended with white hot anger. Poor Mitch... and poor Will. Now what will the boys do? Happy reading, buddy.

I just love Coy's faith. He is one determined man, and he's not afraid of the consequences. Maybe he should be, though. Thanks, Albert!

Don't you just love seeing Coy like this? He's become his own man since he's been out from his brother's influence. An no, he isn't one to hold his tongue, and that is definitely fun to write. Thanks, buddy!

It sure was. Seeing the sheriff so vulnerable, beaten by some disease and on borrowed time is truly sad for the boys. For us too, who know the part he played in Coy following Boone and saving him from certain death. Thanks for rereading this one too, buddy.

Does Mitch have a story to tell? Love the gif, Albert. There's nothing like a new foal. They are beautiful creatures, made to make us smile.

Deep down is where you stand.

It was, and I had my walk through the woods, and as usual, I spent some time sitting by Sky's grave and throwing the ball for Cookie. I caught up on some reading too. Hockey game tonight, so my evening is planned.

And a appreciate that. Damn, this one caused a couple of tears, but they were good ones. I'm so glad I wrote the sequel so I could spend more time with them. Thanks for all the support you give me and my stories, albert.

Thanks, Albert. I loved rereading this, and I feel proud of it too.

This was one of my favorite chapters, and I think it was because it was about the beginning of what their future holds. That team is about creating something out of nothing, and they will do it together as a team. Glad you liked Corker. He is the best! Thanks, my friend..

Very entertaining and well thought out. I enjoyed the show, and like most that Charlie and Brad seem to have found something very good. Once again, you had me loving all these people. Well done, Craig. Cheers!

Hey, Tink. Not yet, but soon. Just has a nice cup of decaf coffee mixed with Ovaltine and skim milk, and contemplating life. Hope all is well in your world.

Hello, all!

Oh, yeah, I do love it. Cowboys have taken on hero status, and it is a reputation deserved. They were a different breed, battling the fiercest elements to keep the country fed. It was a lonely life at times, but I admire their determination and capacity to suffer at their good, honest work. Thanks for this, Albert.

Woot is right!

Yup. He was mentioned before, earlier on, but we see his name again, and understand Boone never loved him. Courting? “Lucas. His name was Lucas, and I told you he taught me some things, and that was all. And I already told you what I felt for Dan. You … you really want to court me?” This chapter was so satisfying for me. Coy is ready... more than ready. He has his mind sorted, without any voices lingering from Will and his ma. Life... life is good, and so is the land. Thanks, buddy.

Phineas Lemon is a name that came as soon as I thought of his character. I hope you can feel the boys' excitement as they set off to explore land. Thanks, buddy.

It's a dance they are doing. Boone understands their friendship is in peril, but each man has to do what is best for them. Coy bared a lot in this chapter, something he felt shame for. Boone made sure he understood he did nothing wrong in not saying anything. Thanks, buddy.

The thing is, they keep talking. That's exactly what they need to do. Glad you enjoyed this one, my friend.

Me too, buddy. Sometimes writing gives me the chance to say something that's important to me... and this passage makes this chapter special for me as a writer... “But, I don’t think anyone can speak for what God thinks—not even a preacher—but everyone seems to think they have the right. Lots of things in the bible don’t make a lick of sense to me, not if I know God like I think I do. For sure there’s comfort in some of it, but men wrote that book… not the Lord hisself. The Commandments, though, I believe they come straight from him.” Boone took a deep breath while he studied Coy’s face. The man’s lips were parted, and he was listening closely. He’d never voiced such personal thoughts about hisself before, but Coy has asked. “All I know is I am who I am, and for sure and certain, He made me this way. It don’t say nothing about me in his Commandments, and I've never broken a one… 'cepting maybe I took the Lord’s name in vain a time or two, and I’m not all that good about the keeping the Sabbath holy, but I ain’t never drank whiskey or gambled on a Sunday either. Anyways, that’s what I go by. If he’s of a mind to exclude folks like me from heaven then he should have said it plain in another Commandment, but he didn’t. He gave Moses them rules for us to live by… no more and no less.” “That makes sense, I guess,” Coy said, his expression thoughtful. “It won’t to some, but I can’t be worried about them… they ain’t wearing my boots. It was a chapter infused with honesty from both men, and we'll see where it leads.

Totally agree. It's not easy to face our fears, but when we do, things usually are never as bad as we expect.

Yeah, but it wasn't relaxing for Boone when they got to the cliff. I felt sorry for him and his fear, but the chapter ended in a beautiful place. Thanks, Albert.

They're the perfect size for him.

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