A week later Mark supported Teddy out to the porch and deposited him in the rocking chair. "All right?"
The young man smiled. "Bully!" His face was still pinched but he moved his arm around easily. "I think I could even help with some chores!"
Luke came to the door and Mark gave him a mischievous look. "Why, Teddy, you can wash all the dishes you want."
"Mark!" The big man tapped his son's hat. "We don't ask guests to work."
"Oh, but, Lucas, I want to work," said Teddy earnestly. "I came out west to learn how to be a cowboy."
"A cowboy!" Luke pushed his hat back. "You'd have to learn how to stick on a horse better, for starters."
Teddy chuckled. "I told you how I fell off my horse. Haven't you ever fallen off a horse?"
"Pa, you fell off Razor just last month!" Mark blurted. "Remember? He stepped in a gopher hole…"
The boy's voice trailed off as his father gave him an exasperated look. "Thank you, Mark." Luke turned his attention back to Teddy. "Look, it's not just the riding. You would need working clothes, and I don't think anybody around here would give a job to a greenhorn. Folks are too busy trying to make a living to teach somebody when there's plenty of seasoned hands."
Teddy said calmly, "I thought you might teach me."
"Me!"
"You and Mark. I'm a fast learner, Lucas. And you wouldn't have to pay me. In fact, I would be glad to pay you to let me stay and work."
Luke rubbed his forehead. "I never heard of such a thing as somebody paying to stay on a ranch." Mark was staring at him and he steeled himself. There was no way the boy was going to get around him this time, with those big eyes and that hopeful expression. He opened his mouth to tell Teddy that he would have to leave. "You can stay and work for your room and board." Mark gave his father that big smile Luke loved to see and he blew out his breath. "You're going to have to show Teddy the ropes, son. Think you're up to it?"
"You bet, Pa!"