Chapter 22 [Trail's End Cemetery—An Hour Later]
Penny emerged from the town's eastern edge. Purpose sped up her pace. She kept her eyes straight wanting to get everything done. She'd already left her notice at the barber shop. Danielsen would be by in a few hours to take charge of the livery's quarters. Now there was just one last stop.
Closure, it seemed, had its checklist as well….
After stepping onto the desert dirt, she hung a hard-left turn. Three minutes more found her in front of the town's small cemetery. The cross of interest to her stood just to her right and two rows into the area. She found that it had yet to incur any of Wear's scars.
"Hi, Pa." She grimaced. She'd rehearsed this talk in her mind on the walk over. "I know I was just here a couple of days ago. Well just wanted to say hi again. You know how you said my chance would come? It has! Blue Cannon came back with his uncle. They're going to help me move to Tucson. Lots more opportunity there. And there's a nice lady, Miss Mercedes. She's one of them Mexican rich ladies. You remember Mr. Montoya? They're in love with each other. I told you those folks are good to be around. I know Tucson's not San Francisco. Heck maybe in its own way, it can be better! Mr. Cannon thinks there's a place at the High Chaparral for me. And then, there's Blue…." Shyness cut her words off. She blushed. "I don't know, Pa. I just feel right and complete around him. I've never had another friend like him. You know? I just wish I understood this. It feels so warm and tingly. I feel like I can do anything around him." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Anyhow I just wanted to let you know before we left. Thanks, Pa. I won't ever forget you." A tear streaked her cheek. She bowed her head. She blew a kiss to the cross. Then she turned and stopped in her tracks. "Blue?"
Blue stood just outside of the cemetery proper. He held his horse's reins in his right hand. "When you didn't come right back, I wanted to make sure you were okay." Paranoia prompted him to look about the area. "It'd be like the Comancheros to try something here." He took off his hat. "Sorry. I wanted to give you your space with your Pa. You know?"
She smiled. "It's okay, Blue, but thanks. That's real considerate of you. Sorry if I got too personal with that stuff about us. I…."
"It's okay." He bit his lip. "I really feel that way too. I want you to come back with us. We'll make a place there and get you that fresh start."
"Maybe at the ranch?" she supposed.
He took her hands in his. "We'll have to see what my Pa and Victoria say. But yeah, I'd…really like that." He embraced her. "I'm glad you're coming back with us, Penny."
"Yeah, Blue. Me too. I'm so glad you've come back!" She returned the embrace with him. "Maybe I might get back to the livery with a ride?"
"Maybe." He smirked. "I think I can manage something." He helped her onto his horse. Then he got on himself. "Hold on tight now."
"As if I'd do anything else?" She sighed.
"Well good." He urged the horse in motion toward town and the livery beyond.
Closure reached its final stage. Transition could open the next door…..