Chapter 31The winter was not so onerous, and a spring rain came hard on the heels of planting, boosting our hopes for a decent harvest at the end of the growing season. Once the heavy work was done, James began to spend more time in town, usually remaining overnight and occasionally longer because of a rising civic interest. Talk of statehood had begun to make the rounds, and James felt a responsibility to represent a moderate political faction. I wholeheartedly approved.
One day, when he was away at the territorial capital, laughter echoing across the plains drew my attention. I straightened up from hoeing and watched a horse with double riders approach from the east. They looked to be children. Alex and John? I scoured the landscape but saw none of the rest of Cuthan’s family. The boys
