They woke early the next morning, and Frank made breakfast while everyone else finished loading the last of the belongings into the two wagons. They ate quickly and were on their way not long after the sun came up over the eastern horizon.
It was one of the first cool mornings heading into late summer. James didn’t have a jacket, so they put one of Frank’s shirts on him until it warmed up later. Harley and Viola led the way north from the homestead. As they reached the northern border of the farm that Frank and Gregory had worked so hard the last two years, James spoke up.
“What about Bandit? Where’s Bandit?” he asked frantically.
Gregory stopped the team. The Harleys didn’t notice, but continued on.
“He’s an independent spirit, son. He’s different than Sally. She needs us,” Gregory an
