Linda Perkins arrived to pick up Winnie before they finished clearing the breakfast dishes from the table. It could be none too soon to suit Wade. For one thing, Winnie had been bouncing off her seat with excitement. She had not even wanted to help Darnell as she usually did. Then, too, Wade wanted to go catch the gentlest old mare in his remuda, tie her up with a feedbag on her nose, and make sure she’d be totally docile for Darnell’s reintroduction to equines. Until the eastern man could ride, Wade’s planned trip to a remote place was on hold. He had to get this project going as quickly as he could.
It seemed to take forever before Darnell finally came out. Had he taken twice as long as normal with the kitchen chores, or did it just seem that way? At any rate, he came, walking at a slow
