Headstall

Hey, Albert!

Thank you, Mods!

Hey, all!

It's time for another... Drewlusional.

Maybe we'll get more information about exactly what happened with regard to his scars? His father was not a pleasant man, and using a cane he didn't need is really suspect.

It's really hard to have a garden when you have chickens. I lost tomatoes to them too... and other things. Yeah, buying eggs from the neighbor is the perfect solution. I could never have raised chickens for meat... not my thing at all. I think you're right about the timeline for those back scars, but his father probably did leave a few marks on him. Sounds like his cane was for that purpose... the purpose of swatting. I agree too that Jubal left home early and never looked back. There wouldn't have been much for him to stick around for, once he and Vincent ended. We can sure see where his distrust of god fearing folk probably started. Cheers!

Oh, I had bantams and I swear mine were meaner than the big ones, especially the broody hens... well... the bantam rooster was mean too. They were cute, though.

Good point, Doc. Some of them might be. If they are, I'm sure that is something he wouldn't want to disclose, but we do know Doc Vance saw at least some of them as more recent.

I see the Old west as a time period where secrets were respected... to a point. Many folks had something in their past that made them want to seek out new frontiers, and maybe that is a romanticized view, but I think this was a romantic and storied time. So restraint was understandable with regard to Jubal's scars. Still, they are all curious, and off course they would be. Lol. There is definitely a story there, and maybe the author will tell it someday. I would say everyone who has met Jubal is impressed with his devotion to his friend. Lucas is well loved, and having someone look after his interests takes the pressure off of others to step in. I'm sure many would if they needed to. So yeah, he is becoming a part of the community, whether he realizes it or not. We have to remember he is easily spooked. I think we have to understand that Jubal needs to stay busy for his sanity, and that the only time he sleeps is when he has Lucas's heartbeat in his hand. Sigh. Thanks, buddy... I appreciate hearing you find the story wonderful.

Who doesn't love a good pot stirring? Keeps folks on their toes.

Woot! Thanks, Doha. Despite the circumstance, Jubal is coping in his own way, and that speaks to his resilience. He loves Lucas, we all know that, but he expects nothing... he feels he has no right to, and he is accepting of it. He will still do everything he can to help Lucas while he waits and prays. Billy is just a side character, but yeah, he seems to have a case of hero worship for Reid. Maybe Reid got him on a better path? Thanks again, my friend. So glad you are still loving this.

You've reminded me of my stepfather telling a racist joke(more of an imitation really) at a pool party in our backyard, and I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought. I told him I was never more disappointed in him and that he was a hypocrite. I never heard him say anything like that again. He had that expression on his face too... I imagine it was similar to your father's. My mother said he felt bad for disappointing me... and I told her he shouldn't have done it then. He never apologized, but I didn't need him to... I just needed him to think. Jubal's father sounds cruel and thoughtless. I detest people who hide hatred and insecurities behind the bible and religion. They're cowards. Thanks for highlighting this, doc. It was another clue into Jubal's tough past, wasn't it? He really had no one to trust or turn to before Vincent.

Lol. Well, Sherye, Texans were a huge part of the Old west cultural dynamic. I think you're right that Jubal will keep working to get the cabin ready for when Lucas returns... he's counting on that. he might even build a new barn. We're all hoping Jubal is right and that the changes he senses in Lucas are real. 🙏 it was good the doc got half a cup of water into him. Thanks, my friend. It seems this was a good chapter for readers, and that makes me happy.

Lol. Are you on the 'Frisky' train too, my friend? I certainly don't want Bearpaw Mondays to end. It's so much fun for me, even with the hiccups. Honeymoon cabin? *Gary rewrites furiously* Just kidding... I ain't changing nuttin'. Yes, you can all speculate and dream. I demand that you do, but remember who holds all the power... he he. Thank you, my dear friend. glad you are enjoying the journey.

Lol. Yup, it appears he's a pot stirrer. Maybe he's right, though.

Yeah, I agree. We are getting to know Jubal better. I'm not sure he thinks of what he's doing as making a home for himself... but for Lucas, absolutely. Like you've said, there was never a thought for deserting the man during that awful ordeal, and he seems to want to do anything he can for Lucas while he lays unconscious. I'm sure he feels powerless... and this is his way of staving that off. Window in a door? Quite possibly. Jubal hasn't felt this way since Vincent, and that has to have him rattled. Is Lucas breathing better? I think Jubal would see any change. Thank you, my friend. I hope you are enjoying how this story is unfolding.

Thank you, Ricci! I'm so pleased you like the pace of this story. At times it is a slow build, but hopefully it feels real. Jubal is definitely a man in love, and he still has a lot to face. Cheers, and I very much appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Ducks and hides... I've learned to dodge pitchforks, but I might have slowed down. One of the saddest things to deal with, in my experience, is unrequited love. Would I dare do that? And yeah, this was probably the most cerebral chapter, certainly with the most narration and least amount of dialogue. I tried to make it as palatable as possible, but I always prefer dialogue-driven writing. Thanks, my friend.

Lol. *High fives, Darryl* As someone who needs cataract surgery, I hear you, buddy. Broody was my second choice for the chapter title, but the closer I got to posting, the better it seemed to fit.

*mic drop*

Hey, all! New chapter is up...

I pick sweet dog names, like Dinah, and Aylah, and Mallory. My uncle had a farm dog who chased car wheels. Yup. It killed him one day, and no one was surprised.

I can see that.

Great names! My Bouvier des Flanders looked like bears.