Headstall

Sandcastles is so beautiful, yet so sad. I look back to those days of my youth and think how what was so real and a part of my life has been lost over the years. We used to play at the Scarborough Bluffs, and your descriptions took me there once more. It was a dangerous place to explore, but we were young and invincible. Life doesn't let us pretend long enough. Renovations takes me to those crazy days of play, where imaginations had no boundaries and real life took a back seat to fun. Those moments were temporary for me, stolen moments, and so cherished for that reason. All children should get to be kids, even teenagers on the cusp. Circle in the Sand reignites the campfire in evening for me... the end of the day where we watch the flames fade out, and take our depleted bodies home. The sadness I find in this is the okay kind, even if what waited at home was not always the best. Thanks for these, Val. Beautiful writing. Cheers!

As always, @Aditus delivers terrific poetry. These were delicious, entertaining, and hopeful morsels, complete with a dash of love and passion. What more could you want. I recommend you check them out. Cheers!

Oh my! Now this is a delicious delight I can sink my teeth into. Still adventurous, but I can totally imagine savoring the aftertaste. From the first one to the last, you had me enamored. I have had those chance encounters, and I have felt the aches and hopes, and the sensations of what is spelled out so beautifully here. The final word, We, made me soar. These were unabashed, and thus made me feel young again as I took this journey. Truly beautiful work, buddy. This has me smiling ear to ear, and I thank you. Cheers!

Intriguing, arousing my curiosity, yet very entertaining as my mind went different places. #2 made me want soup... I have half a roasted chicken that is now destined for the soup pot. I must say you made the game of soup sound fun. I had chocolate covered ants from my uncle as a kid... at least that's what he told me and my cousins they were, after we ate them. In hindsight, he might have been pulling our legs. I had to look up Kopi Joss, but I don't drink coffee anymore, so it's out for me. However, I still remember the taste, and I think I would try this delight if I did still partake. Loved the last poem as well, and could picture the squid, but nah... not in my pasta. I'll be adventurous with poetry, not my pasta. Thanks for these, Adi. As I said, entertaining... you never disappoint. Cheers!

Good day, all.

Awesome. I like how you describe this chapter. This is what they needed... they've reached their destination, and so far it hasn't disappointed. They both feel the excitement of all that's new. I came up with the name Larkspur out of the blue. I really don't know where it came from, but I did know it was a blue flower, and once I thought it, it just seemed to fit. Land agents and Indian agents were notoriously corrupt, something I learned when doing research. Phineas Lemon got quite a reaction from readers, and he is a favorite of mine. So, deep breath... the exploration begins.

Yeah, I get the feelings these conversations stir in readers. They are unsettling for Boone and Coy, and they are for us. Boone is scared. As much as he wants Coy near him, he understands what might soon occur. What you see as him telling Coy how to think, I believe is him making sure Coy doesn't feel any guilt or pressure from him. He's trying too hard, and there are times he could lead the conversation in different directions, but he won't. You are so right that Coy has questions and there seems to be a battle raging, but Boone will not influence him in any way. That is frustrating for us, but that is Boone. He's no different than he's always been. He wants to protect them both, whether it is what Coy wants or not. At some point, exactly where they stand has to be settled... but for Boone, that ball is in Coy's court, not his. Lol. I promise no more cliffs will fall away.

Thank you. Agreed. I've read the bible cover to cover, many many many years ago.

Wow. Thanks for taking the time to share these thoughts. As far as where we are now, with this chapter, I just want to say how important some of it is to me... it might be one of the favorite sections I have ever written in a story, so I'll quote it rather than be verbose... Coy opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it. One hand brushed the hair away from his face, a sign he was thinking. “You think the Lord would welcome us into heaven?” Us? Did Coy just say us? Did he even realize it? Boone’s heart felt like it would leap from his chest, but then caution took over. It was only one word, and Coy had just asked a very serious question. It wasn’t one he saw coming, but he knew Coy well enough to know where it came from. He’d heard the same sermons in the same house, which was the reason they’d never talked like this before. “There’s lots of things I don’t agree with… things your ma believed, but she was a good, god-fearing woman and I loved her.” Coy nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Boone’s. “I know you did.” “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. Nothing would make me happier than if your love was the kind I want, but you got to ask yourself if you only said you loved me because you thought I was going to die… or if was born out of being sad and lonely. That’s good love, but it’s not full love. You’re the only one in this world what loves me, so it don’t matter which kind it is.” “You disappointed in me because I don’t know what I’m supposed to do… like you do?” “I ain’t in your boots either, so any disappointment wouldn’t be in you.” “What does that mean?” “I can be disappointed, Coy, but it doesn’t mean I’m disappointed in you. Life has disappointments, and I reckon most of the time it ain’t no one’s fault. I was curious as to what you thought of the storm and aftermath, so I'm pleased to hear you found the descriptions real. It was a challenge, and important to get right. Love your thoughts on Sheriff Willard. He's a confident man, used to being listened to, and yeah, his actions are surprising. At some point we might learn more about him. I think losing Wes, Lee, and Dan, his family, has him venturing out and doing something he sees they would all approve of. He's trying to guide the boys, and some of that is possibly revealing, but maybe it is a sign of the man growing. I hope that makes sense. I thought Coy showed some changes. some new strength in this chapter. He is being open and vulnerable, and what he admitted was a huge deal, but what was the most impressive was how he pushed Boone to open up about his dreams. Their friendship is back, and what that means remains to be seen. The raw honesty was something only the closest friends are capable of doing. Awesome synopsis, and I thank you for it, Krista. Oh, and I love hearing you liked Coy's bathing scene. Nature isn't the only eye candy to appreciate. Cheers!

Blue turns out to be an important character in the story. Who knew? Pleased you liked the title... I do think they are important... hope you like the bible quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Lot of research went into those. Happy reading! G.

No worries, Krista. I'm just happy you are sticking with it. The previous chapter was hard to write, but this one was even worse. All those mundane things going on didn't cover up the pain both men are feeling. Coy's pride is holding him back, but I really think he needs to stand on his own now. Boone is in a time crunch... long way to travel, and a lot of work to do if he finds land. And yeah, both men have some stubbornness, but decisions have to be made. Now that Boone has second thoughts about splitting up, Coy has dug his heels in. It's done... and that is really sad. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me... G.

Ya think?

As if.

It is hot hot hot outside!

It's the Drewth.

Drew doesn't understand the concept.

The books were amazing! Hey, bro and Mum.

Happy bin day, all!

Thank you, Terry. I understand... I wish I had held onto photos I thought I didn't want... I was wrong.

Such excitement leading up to the day. I never once wore a store bought costume or mask. I got to relive that joy later with my kids. I was as excited as they were. Thanks, buddy.

Writing this chapter kind of broke my heart. These two men care so much for one another, and it is just so sad they are ending up like this. I understand both men... I know that unbelievable pain of unrequited love, and I also know how much Coy has come to rely on Boone. It has to be a real shock to his system to suddenly have no one. Absolutely, what Will did shooting those men in the back shows his disregard for the sanctity of human life. He really was a monster... a frontier monster, taking advantage of good and decent folk. It was fitting Dan shot him in the back as he turned away, thinking Dan was already finished. I thought that a poetic kind of end for him. I appreciate your kind words about the writing, and I really do understand the genre is unusual fare in this day and age. I tried to be authentic to the time and the places, and although there is a romantic aspect to the idea of the Old West, it was not as was depicted in movies and TV shows. However, I wanted to imbue this story with just a bit of that feel for those who were reared on the stuff. I'm happy you understand these guys, and I get the frustration. I want readers to feel that frustration as they do... they are in the process of seperating for the first time in five years, and that is a painful situation. Torturous plotting? Lol. I always say readers can bring it on! I can hide till the worst is over. Thanks again, Krista. There is stuff coming farther in that might make you want to strap yourself in... bumpy ride ahead. Cheers! G.

Boone has been Coy's protector, putting him first for so long that he can't help himself. And yeah, you are exactly right... he is allowing Coy to come to his own conclusions about who his brother was. That is an excellent point. He's been harsh a few times after the funeral, but only when pushed to the limit. As much as Coy was under pressure from Will, Boone must have felt an even worse pressure. He had to walk a dangerous line every day, which helps explain why he was so cautious after finding Will's stash. He had no time, because Will came back to camp right away and stuck close. If Will had any idea someone knew what he did, there would have been hell to pay, and it could have possibly been more killing, and Coy could have been one of his victims. We see that Boone truly believed Will would have shot Coy with no problem, when he is talking to Willard. There was no opportunity for anything until Will finally left for town. Dan called him out before Boone could reach him... he was late by seconds. That would have been a crushing blow for Boone, yet he stayed strong for Coy, allowing him to grieve. I think Sheriff Willard understood Boone was trying to protect everyone. Boone never thought Dan would call out a faster gun like Will without proof, and even though he wasn't able to protect him because Dan did the unexpected, the sheriff holds nothing against him. Boone does, though... he does blame himself, but he also knows Will is the one most responsible. As far as the sheriff believing them, I think he is a good judge of character, and yes, he knew plenty about who Boone and Coy were from his best friends and their son. They were his family, and I hope that came across. Thanks for another awesome comment, Krista. I know what you mean about seeing things after the fact. I might have been able to mine a lot more from Will's character if he was alive, and I stewed a bit over my approach, but I made the decision to have the killings happen offscreen. I didn't want my first multi chapter western to start off with the cliche gunfight. It was a unique challenge for sure, but that is the fun of writing. There is more to learn about Will as the story progresses, but even though he is Sidewinder, this story is really about Boone... and Coy... and hopes and dreams. Cheers... Gary....

Thanks, Krista. I love storytelling, and I really do try to be subtle about details. We build worlds as writers, and writing a western gave me a great opportunity to explore those aspects of that way of life. I'm pretty sure cowboys named their horses. Maybe they wouldn't name every one in their string if they had one, but I can't imagine not naming their personal mounts. Some names were simple for sure, like Wes calling his horse 'Paint'. I can tell you Lee didn't have a proper name for his horse. He just called her 'Mare'. As a horseman, I know the bond between horse and rider is special. In the Old West, they had to rely on one another, and a horse might be your only company for weeks or even months. Mouse is a nondescript bay, typical of a lot of horses, but Coy loves her as much as Boone loves Daisy, who is a little flashier. Lol. You can break any rules you want. Speculation is welcomed. Being the kind of men they are, there really was no question what they would do. I didn't have to agonize over it at all. Coy is the anti-Will, and Boones knows that. You bring up Boone's biggest fear... will Coy be safe when he leaves him? He tries to convince himself he will be, but Will has done a lot of damage, so there is no guarantee more won't come looking for him, and find his brother instead. Thanks for the kind and wonderful comment, Krista. As I already said, this is fun. Cheers!

I'm the same. I'm generally a patient reader as long as I am pleased with the writing. I don't mind waiting to find out things, but I do tend to be vocal at times if I get into a story. You describe Boone well. He's all of those things, even if he sometimes overthinks. It's a tendency I have at times. We get to see just what a sidewinder Will really was in this chapter. He was destined to be a career criminal, not out of any necessity, but because he enjoyed being evil. So yeah, Boone was pessimistic where he was concerned. I think Boone learned early to be a good judge of people, having to exist in a whorehouse from the time he was born. I think where Dan is concerned, Boone feels guilty, playing 'what if' after Will killed him. If he had gone away with Dan, who he loved as a friend, the man would still be alive. But, he knows he never could have done what Dan wanted. Coy was just too important to him. Coy has never really had a chance to relax after Will returned to the family farm. Now we can see he is a little lost. Confession time... my mom's name was May, and I once named the cutest little runt goat Maysie after her. I thought it was time to use her name again. Thanks, Krista. I am enjoying this. Hope you are finding the story to your liking. Cheers! G.