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“She wants hot food and a bath,” Percy replied.
Albie snorted and gave him a gentle shove. “Not you.”
They climbed back into the saddles, leading the other two horses behind them. There was no rush in them now. They were sore and tired and in need of a very big feed of hay in the stables.
“We’re almost done for the day, girl,” Albie said, giving her neck a rub.
“I could say something about not quite being done for today,” Percy replied quietly. “But I’m too tired.”
Albie laughed. “I should think so.”
As they got to the stables, they unsaddled their four horses, fed and watered them, and as tired as he was, Albie still made the time to brush them down.
They’d surely earned that today.
“Do you think Des will be fine?” Percy asked.
Albie gave a nod. “He’ll be sore, no doubt about it. But you know, I think he’s missed this.”
Percy’s eyes got really big. “Did you see how good he was out there today?”
Albie laughed. “Oh, I saw.”
“And you,” Percy said softly. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too,” Albie murmured. “Of all of us. This town has called us a farm of misfits for the last time.”
Percy beamed. “Come on, let’s go eat. And see how Des fared.”
And see if Robert was still sober, Albie thought.
He hated to doubt him. He hated that the drink was a demon Robert had to fight every time he came to town. But sometimes it was an unwinnable fight, and Albie wouldn’t think any less of Robert if he lost that fight today.
But when they got into the bar, they found Des on a seat with his bad leg outstretched onto another chair and Robert telling the story of how Des had lassoed the stallion and never missed a beat to an enraptured audience.
“Here, good man,” one fellow said, trying to hand Robert a mug of ale. “Have a drink. You’ve earned it today.”
It was as if the world stopped turning. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Robert swallowed hard, raised his hand, and for one moment, Albie thought he’d take the beer.
But he put his palm up. “Not for me, thank you. It does me no good.”
Albie just about burst with pride.
“Des might need it though,” Robert said.
Des waved him off. “Not for me either. Just another water,” he said toward the barman.
“And four of the biggest plates of grub you’ve got,” Albie added. “Whatever’s hot and good.”
Des shifted in his seat, Albie guessed to give the chair to either Albie or Percy. But he winced again and hissed. “Stay as you are,” Albie said. “We can fetch another chair.”
“Sorry,” Des said. “Once I stopped, damn thing seized up on me.”
“You’ll be sore a day or two,” Albie said. “If you want to see the doc before we leave tomorrow...”
Robert sat at the table. “If you need a shot or two of whiskey, don’t deny yourself on my behalf. I’m good with it now.”
Des shook his head. “I’ll be all right.”
