He stood back, one hand on his hip, the other shading the sun as it tried to find different angles to penetrate his vision. The smile that spread across his face surprised him with its spontaneity. He didn’t remember the last time he smiled so widely. He didn’t remember the last time he felt this surge of happiness and satisfaction. The little cabin showed off its pride of place on the rise, declaring ownership of the surrounding land. Smoke from the fire he’d set snaked its way out of the chimney, disappearing into the crisp winter air. The hens, with no need to worry about predators, scratched and fossicked in the ground around the front door. This small piece of land, enough to keep himself in food and shelter, was his. Given to him by Major Ross. James Bryan Cullen puffed out his chest
