“I NEVER HAD A WIFE,” SAID THE LONELY COWBOY — UNTIL TWO WIDOWED SISTERS ASKED HIM TO STAY
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Chapter 16 / 19
Chapter 16 - The Grave Beneath the Cottonwood
The following spring, Elias returned once more to the Ward ranch.
This time he brought Aayoka.
They created proper markers for his parents and Samuel.
Elias stood before them.
“I thought moving forward meant leaving you behind.”
Wind moved through the cottonwoods.
He swallowed.
“I was wrong.”
Aayoka waited several steps away.
Elias placed his father's recovered horseshoe beside the marker.
Then he walked back to her.
“Ready?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
Elias looked once more at the graves.
Then turned toward home.
This time leaving was not running.
May you like
That made all the difference.
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