∗ ∗ ∗
A large hand tapped lightly on Muriel’s door. When she opened it, the sound of adult laughter and children squealing in playful delight poured out. The aroma of roasting turkey wafted from the kitchen. The small, tidy house was packed and the man at the door wondered if there’d be room for him. He tugged on the stiff collar of his denim shirt and struggled to straighten his clean white overalls.
Muriel looked up with a welcoming smile. “I’m so glad you could join us, Barstow. Please, come on in.”
∗ ∗ ∗
The post-hunt festivities at Montfair were equally joyous, although the participants were a much more eclectic group than were those at the Hudkins’, where Bar was the sole non-family guest. Besides Thumper, Janey, and Elizabeth, the Montfair celebrants included Ryman, Nard
