IIC - Staking Claims
”Kinda why I thought you had a hand in what happened,” Henry says, taking a sip from his own cup, ”This valley hasn’t had a hell of a lot of good news to share lately. You, and whoever was with you, did a real good thing. I reckon those young uns are real happy to be back with their folks.”
He looks across the table at Albert. ”Just...just be careful. You’re a grown man. You can take care of yourself. Better than I can, truth be told. But, you’re important to your aunt and I. So just...take care. Alright?”
He shifts in his seat, momentarily uncomfortable with his own display of emotion. ”I imagine you’ve got some concerns in town you’d like to see to. So, if you’d just look after the horses this morning, I can take care of the rest. I could use a ride out to the east side of the property anyway. Shake some of this damn stiffness out of me.”
From outside of the house, the pair hear a voice call, reedy and unfamiliar. ”Hello the house!”
Henry raises an eyebrow. ”You expecting any company?”