Luke rode into North Fork just as the sun was going down, slumping wearily in the saddle after the hard ride from Bright Water. He had only stopped to rest the horse, so anxious had he been to put the town behind him. With Ford dead, Ellie and Allison would build a better life for themselves and Johnny but there was no place for Earl Bantry in their world. He had been a monster, and Luke had been impatient to drop the persona of the dead outlaw. He had taken the time to shave off Bantry's mustache and sideburns, but he was still ragged and dirty and the townspeople of North Fork frowned as he came up the street. Luke was not a fancy dresser but he was always spruce when he came to town and his friends shook their heads and sympathized with whatever tough situation he had found himself in.
Micah and Mark came out of the marshal's office and were starting over to the Madera when the boy caught sight of his father. "Pa!"
He raced down the street and Luke bent down and pulled him up on the horse. The boy clung to his father, his face buried in the smelly blanket coat, and Luke held him tightly. Micah had followed Mark and now he looked keenly at his friend. "All right, Lucas boy?"
"I am now." The big man winked at Micah and sighed. "I can't wait to get home. Go get your horse, Mark."
The boy looked at his father with a dismayed expression. "Oh, but Pa, Micah and me...I mean, Micah and I, we were going over to the Madera for supper. They have two kinds of pie tonight, cherry and apple! Well, tell him, Micah!"
The marshal frowned to hide his smile. "Now, Mark, you know there's no place like home."
The look on Mark's face was too much and both men burst out laughing. Luke tapped Mark's hat. "Tell you what, son, I'm going to get a room for us. We'll eat as soon as I get a hot bath and some fresh clothes. All right?"
"Yes, sir!" Mark smiled that smile his father loved to see, and Luke felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He still needed to wash off the grime of Earl Bantry, but in that moment, his heart was as light as a feather.
Epilogue:
Allison came into the parlor, newly decorated with pink curtains and a rosy carpet, and Johnny jumped at her and gave her a hug. Ellie smiled at them both. "I've been going over the books and I think we'll have enough next year to import a Hereford seed bull from England."
"That's a pretty big investment." Allison sat at the table, Johnny in her lap.
Ellie nodded. "It is but I'd like to try it. I think the added weight of the calves would pay for the bull in a few years."
"All right." Allison said dreamily, "It's so nice to make our own plans for the future. We have a lot to thank your brother for. Do you suppose he'll ever come back for a visit? Somehow I don't think he was as mean as he wanted people to think."
Her partner hesitated, then brought out a letter. "I got this today. It's from a man named Lucas McCain."
Johnny jumped down from Allison's lap and came over to his mother. "Isn't that Uncle Earl's friend?"
"Yes, he...well, he knew your uncle. I'm afraid it's bad news, son. Uncle Earl passed away."
The boy's face fell. "But he said he would come back if we needed him."
His mother said gently, "Don't you remember he said his friend Lucas would help us if we needed him?" Johnny nodded. "Well, then, we don't have anything to worry about. Do you want to hear Mr McCain's letter?"
"I want to hear it." Allison leaned forward.
A single tear slid down Johnny's cheek but he said sturdily, "I want to hear it too, Ma." He crawled into Ellie's lap and she held up the letter and began to read.
Dear Mrs Palmer, you don't know me but I knew your brother Earl Bantry. My name is Lucas McCain and I live in the town of North Fork, New Mexico territory. Earl stopped in our town and was took sick with a fever. I'm sorry to report that he died and is buried here. He asked me to write to you. You have my sympathies, and if you should ever need my assistance please let me know. Earl was very taken with your son Johnny and he left a particular message for your boy. He said, "Tell Johnny that he's the nicest boy I ever met and I know he'll grow up to be a credit and a comfort to his mother." Sincerely, Lucas McCain
Johnny took the letter. "Ma, what did Uncle Earl mean about me being a credit and a comfort?"
Ellie hugged him tightly. "He meant that you're the best thing that ever happened to me."