The wagon stopped halfway from the front gate of the farm, and Wally watched Sally jump down from the shotgun position despite the literal stand her cousin took against her departure. Once he saw that she was determined to speak to Wally, he dropped back down onto the wagonboard and resumed his transport of the other two Darcy sisters in the direction of the farmhouse.
Wally stood in the center of the field, one hand on the rope he had been using to lead the latest cow into the shed, and watched Sally approach with slow, defeated steps and a downward cast. “Sally, I’m sorry I didn’t stay afterward. Someone’s gotta—”
“Wally.” Sally stopped atop a patch of mud, her hands holding the hem of her dress above the filth.
“Yes?” The ignored cow gave a painful low.
“It’s okay.” Sally wasn’t looking at him, but was looking straight at the horizon beyond him. “That’s what I came to talk to you about. I’d like you to stay on.” She managed to hold a pair of tears in her eyes. “I’m in charge now, and I’d like you to stay on. Stay on for as long as you can. You can do whatever you want on this farm, just as long as you stay on.”
Wally followed her eyes to the setting sun. “I’ll stay on as long as you need me, Sally.”
Only now did Sally’s tears break through the dams. “Thank you.” She turned and headed to the farmhouse without another word, leaving Wally and the lowing cow in the center of the twilight field.
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