Even Velma Rusk, the woman who had fought their presence from the beginning, was clapping through tears. "You saved my chickens," Velma said, her voice shaking. She looked at Yara and Kea. "I was cruel to you. I said terrible things."
Her eyes filled again. "And you still saved my chickens." Yara walked toward her without anger, without bitterness. She simply took Velma's hands. Everyone deserves help when they need it.
That was all it took. Velma broke down crying and pulled Yara into a fierce embrace. Then Zayn Pruitt, owner of the goats, stepped toward the children. "You three," he said, pointing to Sani, Daro, and Meri. "You handled those goats better than I ever could."
He shook his head in admiration. You've got a natural gift. Jory Bell stood at the edge of the crowd for a long moment before finally walking toward Reco. His earlier swagger was gone. I I'm sorry about what I said yesterday, he muttered, staring at the mud near his boots.
It was wrong, he glanced up. You're brave. Braver than I am. Reco studied him for a moment. Then he smiled and held out his hand.
Friends. Jory looked at the hand, then at Reco. A smile slowly appeared. Friends, Creed Talbot walked over to Ryland and gave him a heavy slap on the shoulder. Ryland Voss, you brought some remarkable people into this town.
He looked toward Yara and the children. Good people. Then his expression turned serious. And I owe you an apology. He glanced around at the others.
Truth is, all of us do. Ryland shook his head. We don't need apologies. His voice carried across the quiet square. We just need to be accepted.
He looked toward his family and treated like any other family in Dusty Creek, and that is exactly how it will be, Doc Calder declared, loud enough for everyone in the square to hear. This family showed us who they truly are today, and Dusty Creek is better for having them here. A low murmur of agreement moved through the crowd. Something had changed. The suspicion in people's eyes had given way to respect.
Faces that had seemed cold only a day earlier now carried warmth. That evening, after everyone had washed off the mud and changed into dry clothes, the family gathered around the table for supper. They were worn out, but they were happy. "Did you see the way they looked at us at the end?" Kea said excitedly.
"They weren't afraid anymore." "Because they finally saw who we are," Yara answered with quiet pride. "They saw our hearts." Ryland lifted his cup of water. "To the Voss family," he said.
"The bravest family in Dusty Creek. Everyone raised their cups. To the family, they shouted together. Outside, stars began appearing in the clean sky, left behind by the storm. The air smelled fresh and new, as though the rain had washed away more than dust.