Cal watched Mary nap for just a moment or two before he said, “Time to wake up, Mary. We need to get you home.”
Her face cracked into a sleepy smile. “I don’t want to leave.”
“I love it here too, but we need to get you home, and I have chores to do yet.”
Mary nodded and pushed herself to her feet. Within minutes, they were saddled and back on the trail West. Early traces of another sunset were a farewell treat marking the end of their day as they neared the McMurtrey place. They’d ridden hard – it almost felt like a test, but Mary hadn’t let Cal get more than a few strides in front of her and Red. Whatever it was supposed to be, she had to succeed. She needed him to know that she could do this.
She needed him to know that she wanted to live this life.
“Thank you for this, Cal,” Mary said. “I enjoyed Ms. Cooner, and the ride as well.”
“I’m glad,” Cal said genuinely. “I’ll be by with another load of wood, yet. You’ll need more than what you have to get through the winter.”
“I appreciate that,” Mary said. She waited before adding, “Thanks again. I’ll be seeing you, Cal.”
“Good bye, Mary.”
She answered by spurring Red. Cal watched her ride off into the sunset. The past was so close behind him he could almost reach out and touch it. Largely because he’d enjoyed being with her, he’d been up for two days, and until she disappeared, had felt like he could go for two more.
The only thing he knew was he very suddenly felt like his old self again.
Just a bit empty.