Luke and Anyata watched as Doc Burrage carefully probed Yule's leg. "How does that feel?"
The woman spoke to her father, then relayed his answer. "He says is much better and he can travel now."
"Oh, he did, did he?" Burrage smiled at the old man. "You can travel out to the porch and sit in the sun if you want but that's as far as you're going for at least another three weeks." Anyata fumed. "And you, missy, can tell your father how lucky he is to have such a good daughter." She looked daggers at him but the doctor was unperturbed. "Lucas, I want him to use the crutches I brought and walk around every day. Otherwise he's going to get bed sores."
"All right." Luke walked the doctor to the door. "Anything else?"
"Nothing medical." Burrage hesitated. "A lot of folks have come by to complain about me taking care of that man."
"I know." The big man sighed. "They don't like gypsies. Well, it's not like Anyata and Yule are living in town."
"I agree. Folks should mind their own business but you know how it is."
"I know how it is." Luke pushed his hat back on his head. "I'm not looking forward to going in tomorrow for supplies."
"I suppose that can't wait?"
"No, Doc, it can't wait. Even if it could, I wouldn't wait. Mark's been looking forward to dinner at the hotel and I haven't seen Micah all week. Now that Yule can move around, I don't have to be here every minute."
Burrage got in his buggy. "You know best, Lucas. Just be careful."
Luke waved as the doctor drove off, then turned to go back in the house. Yule was coming to the door, his daughter hovering, and Luke stepped back as the gypsy came out onto the porch. His face was grave to the point of sadness, but when his daughter had settled him in the rocking chair, his eyes brightened. He gestured and spoke to Anyata and she nodded, then turned to Luke.
"My father says your land is good."
"I like it. I wasn't expecting him to get up. You should have waited and let me help you."
Anyata translated Luke's remark and the old man spoke gruffly. His daughter said proudly, "Yule has not needed any man's help to walk for many years. He does not need it now."
Luke was careful not to smile. He could understand the old man chafing at his enforced inactivity. "I'm glad he doesn't need me. He's too big to have to hold up." Yule looked up sharply when his daughter translated Luke's remark, then his face relaxed. He sat back, rocking himself. "Anyata, I'm going into town tomorrow. Is there anything I can get for you or your father?"
"Does the store have paprika?"
"I don't know. I never heard of it before you came."
"No paprika." The woman shook her head. "This is why gajo cooking is no good."
"Let's not start that again. If you write it down, Hattie can order it even if she doesn't have it."
"We shall see." Anyata sat next to her father. "My father wishes to remain here for a time."
Luke grinned. "Here on the porch or here on the ranch?"
Anyata shrugged. "Is no difference. When Mark returns, I will cook. Without paprika the food will not be good."
"We'll try to struggle through anyway," said Luke solemnly.