He would always love Lura. And he knew there would always be a piece of Jessica’s heart reserved for Bernard Swan. But Johnny and Jessica were in love and would be building a life together, and he would be raising Cora like she was his own.
Of course, there was unfinished business. Sam Middleton, or whatever his name really was. Johnny owed him too much to let him rot in a Mexican jail. He knew Matt, Joe, Zack and Dusty would all be with him. But it would have to wait. As much as he owed Sam, his first priorities were getting Jessica and Cora safely to the ranch in Montana.
While they were waiting out the winter in Elkwood, Dusty had told him about Jack. Johnny thought about this now, as he and Dusty sat on the grassy hill looking down at the wagons.
Johnny said, “I still don’t know what to think about Jack. I didn’t realize he felt so intimidated by me.”
“Not by you, exactly. But your presence. You don’t realize how people look at you.”
Johnny shook his head. He didn’t see himself as a legend or in any way larger than life. He was just a man. Good at some things, not so good at others.
Dusty said. “It doesn’t affect me much, but then I didn’t grow up in your shadow. But for Jack and Josh, and even Bree, it’s a little different.”
“Well, now that I’m aware of it, maybe I can do something about it.”
Matt rode along beside the wagons on horseback, and Peddie was sitting on his horse behind him.
“What do you think of them?” Dusty said.
“I think my brother allowed himself to become lost for a lot of years. And now he’s rediscovered himself. And I think he and Peddie are going to build a life with each other.”
Tom was on the seat of the second wagon, and Lettie and little Mercy were with him.
Johnny thought about Tom, and the journey he was on. Not just the journey to Montana, but the one he was on as a man. Tom was learning a lot about himself and maybe not entirely liking what he saw. But that was sometimes part of learning and growing. Of becoming more than you are.
“Come on,” Johnny said. “Let’s scout ahead a little.”
Johnny and Dusty turned their horses and started riding.
Return of the Gunhawk (The McCabes Book 3) Page 34