“Yes,” Marie said, burying her face against his neck. “I called for you. Many, many times I called for you.”

“The old man finally came and told me that Santa Anna had been whipped, that all the Mexican soldiers were goin’ back to Mexico. By then I felt like I was strong enough, so I started walkin’. It was a long ways for a man afoot. I finally made it to the Willet place this mornin’. That’s where I found Fairweather.”

“The power of prayer,” Fairweather said, “and faith. James, young gentleman, would you mind handin’ me that platter of venison? I swear, the Lord’s bounty never tasted so good.”