Teddy mopped up the last of the gravy with a biscuit, pushed back his plate, and looked around for the waitress. "I think a cherry pie is in order."
"Sounds good to me!" Mark flushed as Luke gave him a look, then stuffed the rest of his vegetables in his mouth. "All done, Pa."
"Don't talk with your mouth full." The big man regarded his son with affection. Was it really only two days since the boy had been pulled from the ground? Mark was completely recovered from his terrifying experience, and Luke could only be humbly grateful that his son had been restored to him. He looked at Teddy and smiled. "You know you'll always have a place in our home. I can never thank you enough for what you did."
Mark said, "I guess I was real lucky you got bit by that rattlesnake, Teddy." The other two looked at him and he went on thoughtfully. "I mean, if it wasn't for that...well, Pa, I would have fallen down that hole and nobody would have known how to get me out. I would have died down there all alone."
"Not alone, son." Luke's throat was tight.
"I know." Mark gazed adoringly at his father, then turned to Teddy. "You know what Micah did about Mr Halloran? He made him cover up that hole and pay for the horse that fell in, and he told him if he ever dug anything again without filling it in or covering it up, he'd help the townsfolk lynch him."
"That seems reasonable." Teddy signaled to the waitress and she came over. "One cherry pie, please." She took their plates and bustled away and the young man sighed. "I am going to miss the cherry pie."
"Do you really have to go?" asked Mark.
"I think it's time." Teddy smiled. "I have big plans, Mark. First I'm going to the Dakotas and get a spread of my own and then…" His voice trailed off and he got a distant look in his eyes. "I'll go back East. I always wanted to be one of the governing class. Maybe I'll go into politics."
"We're sure going to miss you, won't we, Pa?"
"I'm going to miss both of you. Lucas, you remind me a great deal of my own father. I was very sickly as a child, and my dear father encouraged me to strengthen myself. My father was the best man I ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness, and great unselfishness. He would not tolerate in us children selfishness or cruelty, idleness, cowardice, or untruthfulness. I see those qualities in you, Lucas, and I see Mark growing up to be a good man with your example to guide him."
Luke's throat was tight again. "Teddy, I don't know what to say, except I hope you'll come back and see us sometime."
The pie arrived and Teddy cut it and handed pieces around. "You can count on it, Lucas."