"Aw, Maw…"
"That's right Roy, we need to win our money back. This little man has won too many hands." A bearded man across the table, wearing a white cowboy hat, winked at Roy.
"Perhaps another day gentlemen; it's time this family started heading home." Roy patted Abe's shoulder. "Your maw is correct, time to stop. You and Billy want to drive the buckboard?"
In a flash, Abe and Billy bolted for the front door.
During the ride home, Abe and Billy quarreled over control of the reins but finally agreed to share the experience.
"I forgot to tell you Sara, but Grover Matting mentioned he may have an interested party in purchasing your land."
Sara snuggled with Roy then looking up, "If it does sell, could we visit the place one last time and say goodbye?"
"Absolutely."
"I love you Roy; you're a great man."
"I'm the one that feels very lucky."
Initially, when they arrived home, Roy went upstairs after finishing his chores. Sara was giddy with excitement and watched with disappointment as Roy disappeared up the stairs. She had clean sheets on her bed and picked fresh flowers that she placed in the room. She even took the extra time to ensure everything looked just perfect. She wondered why it was taking Roy so long to come back down, and several times, she opened the door to see if he was outside her door. Finally she crawled on top of the covers, pulled her knees to her chest and sat in a tight ball. Did I scare him off or is he just nervous? Sara thought.
Roy put the boys to bed and then gathered all his clothes packing them into a big duffel bag. He was slow and deliberate with his actions and Abe studied Roy. Several times, Roy walked to the door and then came back into the room and just walked in circles. He sat on the edge of his bed looking at his hands.
"You scared Roy?"
"Maybe; a little."
"Maw won't bite. She's probably just as nervous waiting downstairs."
"Abe, sometimes you're so smart you scare me."
"Maw likes being told she looks pretty. Paw used to say that to Maw and the next thing you know, they went off to bed. Maw was always smiling the next day, so Paw must have known something."
Roy stood up gathered his things. "Thanks, Abe. You're a great son and a terrific friend. Good night."
"Good night Roy."
Roy walked over to Billy's bed. He was lightly snoring. Roy smiled, pulled the bed covers up to Billy's neck and kissed him on his forehead. Roy walked back over to Abe's bed.