I’m about to ask where the awards and accolades are, but Lyla tips her head to the side, smiles and says, “My daughter is home.”

I’m told McCade’s honors are displayed in his studio “up the hill.”

And then Lynie has arrived in a flurry of rustling bags and an excited tiger cat.

When we’re introduced, Lynie is much more friendly to me than her brother but has more interest in describing her purchases to her mother.

They decide to go through them later, and after a gentle “put them away, honey,” from Lyla, Lynie disappears into the back of the house, reappears and then exits out the front door.

She is greeted perfunctorily by her brother in a big-brother way.

However, she is encased in a bear hug by her father who also kisses the top of her dark-haired head.

McCade then tucks her into his side and, for some time, does not let his daughter go.

Lynie returns this gesture.

Holding each other close, they are standing in front of the woodshed.

I then note that the building of the fire is a signal.

For it is not only Lynie who has joined her father and brother, Jesse Simms is out there with his wife and both his daughters.

I would then learn something that, until this reporting, has been kept a secret, and my fiancé has left for a surprise.

The patch of land that Preacher McCade bought in the Arizona mountains included thirty acres.

In the time between their reunion and now, all the Roadmasters, including Tom Mancosa, have built homes tucked somewhere within walking distance on that land.

Only the McCades live there full-time, but as Lyla fusses about in the kitchen, she explains at least one of the Roadmasters with his family is there at any given time.

She shares their house is what “the boys” call “the headquarters.”

And this explains the long dining table and large pot of chili.

I’m recruited for service and thus carry out a number of thick, plaid, wool throws with fringed ends after Lyla shouts to McCade, “Tub duty!”

McCade then breaks off from a huddle that now includes Dave Clinton, Janey Rogers, with Simms and McCade’s son, all standing by a roaring fire, while Lynie, Simms’s daughters, and his wife Natalie have rearranged some chairs closer to the fire and to each other, this now including Clinton and Rogers’ very young offspring.

Simms comes to the house with McCade, greets me on the way, and they return to the fire with a large tub filled with beer and soft drinks covered in ice.

DuShawn Williams and his wife Vanessa are the next to arrive. And although the rest are in warm, rugged, but attractive mountain gear, Vanessa wears a trim, belted puffy coat and expensive lace-up-the-shins boots.