“I hope to see you in the fall, when you and Gus get back,” she said.
Sam was not sure he was planning to return to Laclede’s Village. He passed over her remark by saying he would miss her and thanking her again for all she had done for him.
Mary shooed them out the door with the excuse that now she was without her cook, she had dinner to prepare. Sam knew it was to keep the parting from becoming too emotional.
Garrett and Gus headed for the livery. Sam steered Todd down the street to the general store. True to his word Todd would never return to the mill, Sam bought him clothes and supplies he would need on his trip across country. Todd protested, but in the end acquiesced, acknowledging he had no desire to return to the mill. The few possessions that would be left behind wouldn’t be missed