Headstall

Merry Christmas to you too, Mags! Jubal's love language... love it... and it really is something he is powerless to stop, isn't it? He can't help himself. Everything he does, he does out of love, and that is beautiful. From the time he squeezed out of that loft window onto the roof, there has been no doubt his heart is owned. And yes, Ronnie Prescott learned that the hardest way possible. And yes, so did those wolves who dared interfere with Lucas's dream. “Lucas stepped in and looked up. ”You done this for me,” he said so soft Jubal barely heard him.” This has to be a moment of clarity for Lucas, or at the very least, a reason to ask the question. Lucas doesn't have Jubal's ingrained fears to do battle with, so he finds it easier to express himself, but I have to say, Jubal did a credible job of hanging in and explaining himself to Lucas, better than he ever has before... especially when they left Bearpaw and began the drive home. Exactly... 'get back on solid footing'. That was accomplished in this one, and the progression happened organically in my opinion. These guys are mostly in tune, so it was a relief to see them regain that. I think we can also have faith the gold is no longer a point of contention. The deposit to the bank wasn't for intended travel... it was for Lucas's safety at the farm... he understands that now. All in all, you touched on much of the chapter, and I'm pleased you see it as positive. Always love hearing your thoughts, my friend.

To us, it definitely is. Will Lucas clue into the feelings behind the words? Has he, as Jubal fears, already done so? I am not so sure....

Hey, Doc! It was my pleasure to post this one a little early. I hope your Christmas was a good one. There was tension on the ride home, but there was none here, as they arrived at the farm. Both men were reflective, and maybe even a little daring. So glad you quoted this, and thought it a seminal image. These men both have questions, and soon, answers will be necessary. Sometimes, like pulling off a band-aid, it takes some time to muster up needed courage. Jubal has always understood Lucas's second guessing of himself as a farmer, and he gives him his due in this passage. He is constantly propping his friend up, and when you add all these things up, won't there come a time when Lucas has to ask...? Thank you, my friend. Loved this. Cheers! G.

Glad you enjoyed it, Ford, and I hope the rest of your Christmas was lovely as well. Thanks for the well wishes. My Christmas was awesome. It was exhausting, but perfect. Cheers, and thanks for your support. G.

Hey, Kris! Happy Boxing Day! Things come and go in life, and we are reminded of that in the holiday season more than any other, but I do agree that the wildings have been intrinsic to this tale. Will they be something that comes again, a dream that seems to be slipping away? All I can say is Happy to hear you like the homecoming. I think Jubal was very pleased with Lucas's reaction, to the wolfskins, the garden, the hayfield, but most importantly this special home he has helped create. The deal was he would work for Lucas, but this went way beyond being a hired hand. The tension arose almost immediately, but Jubal kept at it... kept explaining what he meant... from the bank to Reid to Morey to Billy... he didn't close up. Is this are start, or are they only back on good footing? The author ain't telling. Thanks, buddy. I liked this chapter for so many reasons, and I appreciate your support of it. Cheers!

A kiss? Gurl, you are greedy. You're welcome for the early posting, and I see we both quoted the same thing. Yeah, satisfying is the right word for those interactions. That final line in the chapter speaks not only of their easy familiarity with each other, but also of new steps... a new future... to come. We can only hope it will be a good one for both men. I like this chapter a lot. We know these two so well now, and I believe we can see the subtle changes in real time. Jubal has, without intention, staked a claim of sorts. He accepts what he wants now, and I see some new strength is how he handled himself in this one. We shall go forth, milady. Next Monday. I hope you had the best Christmas, my friend, with those present and the memories of those gone.

Hey, J J. I totally agree. Those little touches of familiarity, supposedly out of necessity, go a long way in reestablishing the comfort level for both men. It was important to regain that trust that we saw come back by the end of the chapter. And Jubal, he isn't acting as fearful or cautious as we might have expected, is he? Thanks, buddy. I hope your holiday was wonderful.

Thanks, Bob! Happy Boxing Day to you. The pace of this story is a bit slower at times, but that's the downside of weekly posting. Actual time passed is really not that long, but it does seem longer, I agree. Thanks for hanging in and loving every chapter so far. Both men are becoming more open, and I think we saw a different, more determined Jubal in this one. He explains himself well with regard to Reid and gossip and such, and that was a big deal for him. Maybe he was expecting the worse, but what he got was the old Lucas back once he got his points across. Cheers, my friend. I hope your Christmas was joyful.

Those would put anyone in a good mood. Albert knows his stuff.

Thank you so much, Albert! Happy Boxing Day! I agree Lucas is pleased with Jubal, and mostly for the fact he had good reason for not visiting him. You words are so kind to me, but they always are. I never tire of hearing there is a thing called 'Gary Magic'. I appreciate your praise, and I appreciate you. Cheers... Gary....

You're welcome, spyke! It was my pleasure, and I hope your Christmas brought you all the good things. All in all, it turned into a good reunion for these men at the farm. But yeah, they have stuff to talk about at some point. Thanks, my friend, for sharing your thoughts with me.

Hey, Doc! I think most of that tension really left when Lucas found out the reason why Jubal skipped yesterday's visit. “The wildings? That be why you didn’t come into town yesterday?” “Yep, that’s the reason.” “Thought you might be sick of my company,” Lucas said, looking happier than he’d been the whole way from Bearpaw. “Not, likely, but it did cross my mind you could have been sick of mine.” “Not likely,” he said with a big grin, now resembling the Lucas he knew well. “So, did you find them?” Seeing the work done in the cabin and on the farm got rid of the rest of it. Sort of clears the way for more conversation, don't you think? I hope your Christmas day was joyous, my friend.

Hi, Craig! I'm trying to catch up, and I know I am a chapter behind in your wonderful story. I do think it bothered Lucas that Jubal didn't show up yesterday, and he showed it in his relief when he found out the reason. Yeah, that tension is something that needs to be resolved, and I think the process is ongoing. They are seeing again who the other is, and that is key to getting past some hurts. I saw Jubal as more forthcoming than he usually is. He wasn't a shrinking violet when it came to explaining things. See a difference? The cabin has become a home, thanks to Jubal. I saw it as interesting that he brought in two sitting stumps. There was no place to sit in the old cabin, but this one is most definitely not for just sleeping. I don't think you are being to optimistic about Jubal putting his gold in the bank. Sure it means worry free travel if he does go anywhere, but I think it was more about what his hope is... to stick around for a while at least. So yeah, he is showing signs of settling... and maybe even of nesting. Thanks, Buddy. The support is much appreciated, and I hope you had a great day yesterday.

Hi, Sherye! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Jubal doesn't do poor work... he learned a lot from Vincent, so yeah, Lucas would have seen right away how fortunate he is that the cabin has turned out the way it has. The wildings were comfortable enough to spend all that time on the ridge, so it's logical to think they might be back at some point. It might be a year from now, or it could be sooner. Holding onto that dream is something they both need, in my opinion. And yeah... Jubal needs to stay busy... sort of reminds me of a certain author in his younger days. Cheers and thanks, my friend.

Hey, centex. I hope you had a great Christmas. It made sense Lucas would come home a day earlier than expected. Folks had to be tough back them. And yeah, I think we can all see he was moved by Jubal's efforts at the farm. What does it really say to him? Wild horses would often travel great distances from season to season, mostly for food, so it's hard to say what they'll do. We do know that grass is plentiful year round, even under the infrequent snow, so fingers crossed they will get their dream, either this year or next. I must say I enjoyed the hide tanning. It wasn't wise to waste anything, and a poorly tanned hide could rot. They will come in handy no matter what the use. Was the decision to put his gold in the bank about more than just safety? So pleased you felt the flow of emotions. After their last conversation, there was bound to be some leftover tension. I thought Jubal explained himself well, and didn't disappear in the conversation. I believe that was important. Appreciate the kind words and the support, buddy.

Thank you, my friend. My turkey is looking really good, and the house smells of it. Hope your day is wonderful and warm.

I posted the new chapter a day early. Cheers...

If you have found the story page, scroll down until you see Chapter One, and then click on it. That should give you the beginning. If you click on any link above (just lay your cursor over the title and when it highlights, click), it will take you to that story page. Good luck and Happy Holidays, Paul. Gary.

The next chapter is posting now, a day early. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to you all!!

One Step at a Time Jubal was sitting in the dark close to the fire, making breakfast. A tin cup of lip-smacking good, sweetened coffee sat on the stump next to him, steaming in the cool morning air. It wouldn’t be long till the heat arrived, the orange glow already spreading across the horizon to the east. There’d been a healthy rain during the night, but it ended after a good seven hours of pouring down. It’d been nice music to fall sleep to, but he’d woken up soon after

I was actually thinking of posting today, Doc, if I find the time to do another read through. Most people are very busy today, though.