Dane smiled. “Of course he''s going to leave. We can''t keep him forever. I''ll send him on his way when I go to pick up my brother. Now, don''t be upset. Eat. It''s your favorite,mb stew."


    The crazy guy said, "Soon. He leaves soon!"


    "I know, I know. He''ll leave soon. Now eat." Dane''s tone was gentle, like he was coaxing a child.


    Only then did Wyatt take the food and squat on the ground, wolfing it down.


    Dane said, "Wyatt, I''ll bring you home tonight to take a bath and change into some clean clothes."


    Wyatt immediately shook his head, resisting the idea. "No bath, no change."


    He always kept himself filthy. Every time Dane tried to get him to clean up, he refused. But today was different...


    Dane said, "It''s the Fourth of July. The country''s birthday."


    Wyatt paused at his words and looked up. "The Fourth of July?"


    "Yeah."


    Only then did Wyatt nod. "Bath. Change clothes."


    Dane smiled. Even though Wyatt had lost his mind, he was still a patriot.


    "Okay. After I pick up my brother, I''ll heat up the water ande get you."


    "Okay, okay."


    After Wyatt finished eating, Dane packed up the container, mounted his horse, and left. "I''m heading out now. I''ll be back for youter."


    Wyatt waved at him. “Bye.”


    "Bye, Wyatt."


    After Dane left, Wyatt frowned, his face clouded with worry as he watched him ride away.


    ...


    When Dane returned home, Lowell was still asleep. The medicine had worked, and he had actually fallen asleep on Diaz''s bed.


    Dane stared at him in surprise for a few seconds, then quietly backed out of the room. He took a quick ? karound the main room and saw everything was in its original


    that


    ce. It meant Lowell hadn''t


    touched a thing while he was gone.


    To Dane, this was a sign of good manners, and his impression of Lowell improved even more.


    After washing the container in the kitchen, he went to the storeroom to pack some things.


    When Lowell woke up, it was already past four in the afternoon. Hearing noises outside, he limped out of the room. "When did you get back?"


    Dane nced at him. "Feeling any better?"


    "Much better. It doesn''t hurt as much."


    "Then let''s go. I need to pick up my brother."


    Lowell nodded. He noticed the bundles tied to the horse''s back and asked curiously, "What''s this?"


    Dane said, "Some of our local specialties. Just a little something to say thank you. This is for your boss, and this is for you."


    Lowell knew he was returning the favor. He smiled and graciously epted the gifts. "Thanks."


    Dane didn''t reply, just helped him


    onto the horse. Once Lowell was et


    steady Dane swung himself up, and


    before the


    set of


    he reminded him,


    “Grab on here!”


    Lowell chuckled. “I know. Are you this jumpy with girls, too?"


    Dane ignored the jab, flicked the reins, and they set off for the Suttons'' house.


    Jove circled high above, following them.


    Lowell was curious. "I heard Jove


    has been with you for over ten years. But I read online that you falconers release your eagles back into the wild after a few years to let them breed."


    Dane said, "I released him a long time ago. He just refused to leave."


    Jove had no tethers; he could leave Dane at any time. He stayed because he wanted to.


    Lowell thought of White. "Our Evan has a little snake named White. It''s always clinging to him, too. They''re like brothers. Animals have feelings."


    Dane looked up at the eagle soaring in the sky and murmured, "Jove is my brother,


    too."