Juanita understood. “I would prefer that you stay here. I know how hard it will be for you but I can see that you have to try. I would do the same. If it doesn’t work, there will always be room for you here.”

Juanita offered to drive her back to Nebraska, but Emaline insisted on taking the train. “You have put yourself out enough already on my account,” she said, “and anyway, if I’m going back, I need some time to prepare myself. I can do that on the train ride.”

Emaline spent her last night on the ranch in the big house and rose early. When she came out onto the veranda, Eli asked if she would take a walk with him. They strolled down past the corrals where the horses were just beginning to stir, up the rise and out into the pasture where the meadowlarks sang. Emaline was trying to think of some way to tell him how she felt, but Eli spoke first.

“This here is just about my favorite spot on earth,” he said. “When we were walking by the ocean out in Washington, it was a sight like I have never seen, the big waves coming in, seagulls flying everywhere. But I’d still rather be here. Aint no place like it, the Bighorn Mountains and the High Plains. I’ve loved it since I was a kid and I still do.”

“It’s also home.”

“It is that. Bad times or good times, everybody needs a home. I can’t blame you for wanting to go back to yours.”

“The strange thing is, Grandpa, since I came up here I’ve found that I feel more at home here than I ever have in Nebraska. The years we lived in Sheridan and up on Little Goose Creek, I got so used to the mountains. Somehow, I’ve never felt at home in Nebraska. But I have to try to make it work.”

“I expect you do, girl. I wish you all the luck in the world, but I’m going to be awful sorry to see you go. I’m like Juanita that way. I find it real pleasant to have you around.”

“Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you for taking me in too. It was a bad time for me, but I feel better now. You’ve taken such good care of all of us, Ben and Bobby and me. That’s what I wanted to tell you before I left. We owe you so much, you and Ezra and Juanita. I still believe there are many things you should have done for Velma before she died, but I know you’ve tried hard to make it up to us and I’m grateful for that.”

“Gosh, girl. It sounds like you’re close to forgiving this old man.”