Percy shook his head. “Whatever it is, it couldn’t be any worse.”
“It’s bad enough,” Biff said. “You have no herd left. All of your cows are gone. Whoever killed Sam and set fire to your house, also took your herd.”
“Oh, Percy! What sort of place have you brought me to?” Sara Sue asked.
Percy didn’t answer his wife’s question. Instead he was quiet for a long moment, then he nodded.
“You’re right, Biff. I think we do need to stop by and see Mr. MacCallister.”
* * *
As Percy and Sara Sue approached the ranch, they passed under the name SKY MEADOW RANCH, which was worked in wrought iron letters between the open rails of the arch that spread its curve over the entryway.
“Oh, what a beautiful place,” Sara Sue said.
“Yeah, it is. Mr. MacCallister’s a pretty rich man, but he’s real nice about it. I mean, he ain’t like some rich men who think they’re king of the roost.”
Before they reached the house, they were met by Steve Emerson, who greeted them with a broad smile.
“Welcome home, Percy. It’s good to have you back,” Emerson said.
Percy introduced Sara Sue to the man he described as his best friend.
“I think you’re goin’ to like it out here, Mrs. Gaines,” Emerson said.
“I hope she likes it,” Percy said. “But I must say I brought her home to an absolute mess. I heard about my house being burned ’n my herd being rustled.”
“Your herd wasn’t stoled,” Emerson replied.
“What do you mean? Biff said that my herd was gone.”
“Yeah, they’re all gone from your place. But they ain’t really gone, seein’ as they are all here, on Sky Meadow. We’re holdin’ ’em in the corral for you.”
A happy smile spread across Percy’s face. “That’s really good news,” he said. “Thanks.”
“You don’t need to thank me. As far as any of us can tell, your cows all come here by their ownself. Go on up ’n see Mr. MacCallister. He has some other news that I think you will like.”
“Really? I don’t see how it can beat what you just told me.”
A few minutes later Duff and Elmer greeted the couple.
“Steve told me that my cows were here, on your place,” Percy said. “I want to thank you for that.” The smile left his face. “Oh, and I heard about Ollie and Sam. I’m sorry about that . . . I feel responsible for it.”
“There is nae need for you to feel so,” Duff said. “The only one responsible is the blackhearted cretins who killed them, whoever they may be. And I’m sure they are the same people.”
“I’m sorry, Sara Sue, I seem to have brought you home to a mess,” Percy said.
Duff smiled. “As they say, ’tis always darkest before the dawn. By the way, we were expecting you today, so Wang is preparing a feast for you, and Meagan and Vi will be here as well.”
“That’s very nice of you, Mr. MacCallister,” Percy said.
“Percy told me he had nice neighbors, and I can see that he was telling the truth,” Sara Sue said. “That nice older gentleman that Percy just introduced me to told how some of the men will help us rebuild the house.”
“Older gentleman,” Elmer said with a little laugh. “Yeah, we’re goin’ to help with the new house, but you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
* * *
Wang had prepared Peking duck. Because there were so many for dinner, he had cooked two of them, and was now slicing the birds in front of the diners. The skin of the two birds was especially crisp, and served with sugar and garlic. The meat itself was served with scallions, cucumbers, sweet bean sauce, and Chinese pancakes.
“Oh, I’ve never seen such a thing,” Sara Sue said.
“Just seein’ it is only half of it,” Elmer said. “Wait till you taste it.”
The meal was every bit as good as the presentation had promised, and everyone ate with gusto.
“You must tell me how to prepare that!” Sally Sue said.
“He won’t be able to tell you how he done it,” Elmer insisted. “It’s prob’ly one o’ them things he has to keep secret.”
“I cannot tell,” Wang said.
“See there, what did I tell you?” Elmer crowed.
“It is not a thing that can be told, but it is a thing that can be shared. I will teach you,” Wang said.
“Well, I’ll be damn. Percy, your bride must have made quite an impression on Wang,” Elmer said. “I never thought he’d tell her nothin’ at all like that.”
After dinner Duff invited everyone into the parlor.
“Let’s talk about your house,” Duff said.
“Yes, Steve said that my house would be rebuilt.”
“Nae, lad, your house will nae be rebuilt.”
“Oh well, I . . .”
Duff smiled. “This is the house that will be rebuilt,” Duff said, walking over to a table upon which was spread a large piece of paper.
“What?”
“Come and have a look,” Duff said.
Curious as to what he was talking about, Percy and Sara Sue walked over to the table to look. There, on the sheet of paper, was the drawing of a house, three times as large as the one that had burned. The house had a front porch, covered by a roof that was supported by four posts spread across the front. It had wings that spread to either side. And below the drawing was a floor plan that showed a kitchen, dining room, living room, and three bedrooms.
“I . . . I don’t understand,” Percy said.
“Well, ’tis sure I am that there will be wee ones coming along someday,” Duff said. “And when they do, you’ll be for needing a bigger house than the one you had. So, I had the architect in town, Swayne Byrd, draw these plans out for us to follow when we build your house.”
“We’re goin’ to build it for you, Percy,” Elmer said. “All the boys from
