"Thank you for your help, Abe. I couldn't have done the work without you." Roy wrestled his hand free from Abe and patted the boy's shoulder. "You're stronger than most men I know."
Abe then wrapped both arms around Roy's waist and hugged the man like he was a long-lost relative. Roy stood frozen with outstretched arms. What am I supposed to do now? Roy thought. Instinctively, his arms encased Abe, remembering how Roy felt when his own pop would do the same. Roy fought back tears of joy and then sniffed.
"Abe, how about you and I go fishing tomorrow?"
Abe smiled and looked up at Roy's face. Tears were in Abe's eyes as well. "You mean it, Roy? Fishing? Can Billy come along too?"
Roy hesitated at first. "Sure. The more, the merrier, I guess."
The sun was beginning to set so Abe saddled his mare so he could ride home. Roy assisted but kept a safe distance. He wanted Abe to feel a sense of independence. Abe then jumped up into the saddle.
"What time do you want us here, Roy?"
Roy pondered the question. "I'll tell you what, right after breakfast, I'll swing by your place and pick you two up. Sally and Molly are itching to go for a ride as well, so I'll bring the buckboard."
Abe pulled the neck of his horse around to head home and then yelled over his shoulder. "Yahoo, Roy! This is gonna be exciting. I can hardly wait." Then swinging the reins side-to-side he set the mare into a full gallop.
At daylight, but before the sun crested the mountains, Roy drove his wagon onto the Johansson farm. His fishing gear was riding in the back. The Johansson mare produced a whinny and both Sally and Molly hee-hawed in response. Stopping at the edge of the mare's corral, the animals communicated with each other for a few minutes. Roy smiled.
"What are you grinning about, Roy?"
Startled, Roy looked up at Sara standing on the porch. "Oh, nothing; I think your mare was inquiring about the filly, that's all."
"Really, you think they talk to each other?"
Roy shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not sure, but it seems like Sally and Molly are telling the mare something. Are the boys ready for their fishing adventure?"
Sara paused before answering. Her words were hesitant. "Say, Roy… Do you… What I mean is would you mind if I tagged along? I packed some lunch."
On one hand, Roy was excited at Sara's proposal. On the other, he felt awkward. This started out to be a gift for Abe's hard work on Roy's farm. Now it was turning into a family outing. Roy tried choosing his words carefully because he didn't want to offend Sara.