Epilogue
The winter was cold with the falling snow. The men sat by the warmth of the fire. Hoss and Little Joe were playing their usual round of checkers. Joe had caught on to the rules of the game and has even started picking up on the idea of strategy and reading your opponent. Hoss used to let him win a year ago. He didn't have to any longer. Little Joe won a good number of them all on his own.
Horses stampede into the yard. Hoss looks back at the door then at his brother who bore the look of concern. Ben stands up and reaches for his pistol in the top drawer. The footsteps on the porch led to a banging at the door. The two boys stood. Ben motioned with his pistol to get into the corner. Gun at the ready he opened the door. A man in a blue army uniform and dark handlebar moustache stood out of breath before him. A cloud of mist escaped his mouth at every breath.
"Are you the master of the house?"
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"My men were tracking two escaped prisoners. We believe they may be hiding out on your land sir."
"You believe? What makes you say that?"
"Well sir, we followed the tracks to your boundary line but lost the trail about a quarter mile in. The snow, it was just falling too fast." Hoss stepped forward.
"Show me where you last lost them." The father looked down at his son who had grown another two inches since summer growing into the man he was soon to be. Soon he would be taller than him. He smiled softly and so proudly, so very, very proud.
"What's your name boy?"
"Hoss."
"Horse?" The boy looked at his pa before responding.
"No. Not Horse. Just Hoss."