It took a little more than an hour to reach the ranch, but the time was worth the ride. I could see a portion of the little valley that would become mine, thick with trees and glittering with ice-rimmed streams. There was a small herd making tracks toward the barn—paint faded a little, maybe... but solid-looking and ample—and it seemed that I had never seen handsomer beasts.

The homestead spread out in a single storey sprawl, and smoke rose like a welcome flag above the snow-covered roof.

I nudged my horse into a trot. I couldn't get home quick enough.