Flycatcher Downs i've been everywhere, man

"Ha!" said Murdock, secretly rather pleased that Shale thought he could still hold on to that sort of reputation. He was getting older, and more cranky by the season. Pretty soon, there wouldn't be a girl in the world that would put up with him. "It's been longer than I've been in this area," he said, looking to set the record straight. "The girls around here have got nothin' to say about me." But it seemed as though one or two would have something to say about their brother. Murdock wondered what Grayday's woman would look like, and was about to say as much aloud when Shale carried on in that wistful tone.

The older brother couldn't help but agree. Stephie had been a great comfort to him, but he was beginning to miss the welcoming embrace of his young cousins and nieces. They'd put up with him - probably far past what they ought've. "Yeah," he agreed with a little sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just settle down again. But then I think of Chemukh and our poor little babes... and I get to thinkin' it just ain't the life for me." Because it would've worked out the first time, if it was meant to work at all. Right?