“I'll ask Ray.”
Luke leaned against the barn wall. “It's hard to be patient. I don't know how we'll ever come up with the money to get our own place.”
“What about homesteading? We talked about it,” Mattie said.
“Even that takes money, and I'm not going to have my family living in a tent.”
“Ray's been keeping an eye out for farms coming up for sale,” Jean said.
“He can't take care of his own place, let alone help me find one.” Luke shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “Well, I got to get cleaned up.” He headed for the house.
Ray returned the following day, a large ram and a chunk of cash to show for his efforts. He was whistling while he unloaded his gear.
Feeling cranky, Luke walked into the barn. “You seen the new calf yet?”
“Nope, but I'm fixin' to just as soon as I get this sheep hung up. I did real well this week. Everyone in the party bagged a ram, and they paid well. I could use a hand.”
“I'm kind of busy. You ask Brian?”
“He's in town. S'pect he'll be back soon, but I'd like to get this animal up and out of harm's way.”
“All right. Just wanted to give that Guernsey a handful of grain first.” He shuffled toward the stall. The cow licked up grain from his hand, and then Luke patted her face and scratched between her ears.
Ray leaned on the gate. “Heard she had a hard time of it and you pulled the two of 'em through.”
“You nearly ended up losing the cow and calf. I did what I had to. Too bad you didn't.”
“I did what I had to, but I'm sorry this fell on your shoulders.” He ran a hand over the cow's soft nose. “I checked her before I left and figured I had time to take care of business and get back before she came fresh.”
Luke swung around and glared at Ray. “You knew better than to leave. All you think about is hunting. If you're not careful, this farm will fail. Then where will my mother and my brother and sister be? Not to mention all my father's hard work.”
“It's not going to fail.” Ray scratched the place between the Guernsey's ears. “I know I'm no farmer, but I'll make sure the place holds its own. I had to go out. Those men were countin' on me, and I was countin' on their money.” He plucked a piece of straw from a stack and stuck it in his mouth. He was silent for a long while, then looking at Luke, said, “I'm going to enter the dogsled race set for late November.”
Keeping his eyes on the Guernsey, Luke said, “You should do well. The dogs are in good condition.”
“You know, ol' Frank Reed wanted to test out his dogs in this race, but he's got a bad case of gout. Can't work the dogs and doesn't figure he'll be fit even by then. He's lookin' for someone to run his team for him. I mentioned your name.”
“Oh?” Luke couldn't shut off his adventurous spirit, and he liked the idea of competing against Ray. In an offhanded way he asked, “Why November? Snow's not usually set by then.”
“Yeah, I know, but the folks who decided on this one don't want to wait. They said we're supposed to have heavy snows early. It'll test the teams' mettle.” The straw in Ray's mouth bounced as he chewed. “Prize money is being offered. Every racer puts into the pot, and the winner takes all. Would be a real help to you and Mattie, what with the new baby and all. Might even help with your house savings.”
“Why do you care? If you want us out of the house, we'll be gone.”
“That's not it. Just figured you'd be interested.” Ray threw down the piece of straw and headed for the truck. “Guess it was a bad idea.”
Over the next few days Luke thought about racing and was intrigued. The prize money would help, and it would feel good to beat Ray; but after deciding to get along with Ray, he wondered if it would be a good idea. It might add fuel to bitter fire. Even as he considered the rift between them, it felt smaller than it had.
It's just a race, he thought. He needed to decide soon before someone else stepped in to drive Frank's team. He decided to talk to Adam.
“So, you're asking my opinion?” Adam asked, leaning on his ax handle. “I don't see any reason why you shouldn't race. You think you're good enough?”
“Sure. I've got as good a chance to win as anyone else. I exercise Ray's dogs and do some of the training.” He paused. “He's got a good team. I'd like to beat them.”
“Just them?”
“No. Everyone racing.” A crooked smiled spread across his face. “I have to admit that it would feel good to beat Ray.”
A frown creased Adam's forehead. He planted his ax in a stump. “Let's walk.”
The two men started down the road. Adam pulled his coat closed. “Cold.” He gazed at distant mountains already layered with snow. “If the weather stays cold and we get some good snows, you might have a decent race.”
“Maybe.”
“So, do you want to know what I think about all this?”
“All what?” Luke asked, knowing he was referring to Ray.
“You and I both know it's time for you to settle things with Ray. You've got to let go of all the hostility you're carrying around. To tell you the truth, Luke, I don't understand. It's been years, and the whole thing was an accident in the first place. And in the second place, Ray Townsend has proven he's a man of integrity. He helped you and your family from the very beginning, and since he married your mother, he's been good to her and to the rest of the family. He's a decent man and doesn't deserve your ire. You just won't give him a chance, and it's time you did.”
“You don't know what I feel. I've been thinking about setting things straight. There's no rule that says every person has to like every other person.”
“No, but God says we're supposed to love our enemies.” Adam's expression was stern. “I'm glad you're thinking about it. I'd say Ray's been more than patient with you, and it's time for you to act like a man.”
