About a mile from the homestead, McAvoy approached from the north.
“I didn’t think the fire would make it this far east. I was trying to finish up some chores when I realized I should come check on you,” McAvoy tried to explain his tardiness. “Looks like your fire strip saved you. What about Nordhuff?”
Frank shook his head slowly, and his eyes grew big, pleading with McAvoy not to ask anything more.
McAvoy took the hint. His own eyes showed his grief at the loss of the neighbors. The three men stood in the rain for a silent moment.
Gregory broke the stillness by moving toward the homestead. As they walked through the burnt landscape to the house, he spoke. “Everything up north is gone, too.”
McAvoy accompanied them. Once they reached the house, he asked, “Do you guys need anything?”
