“Definitely, though I told her it was unkind of her to make me come home during fly season and she should not say such insulting things about Da.” He grinned when the MacEnroys all laughed.
“Fly season?” asked Iain.
“Black flies. Biting flies,” James replied. “They swarm all over the place at this time of year. Tormenting little beasts.”
“And this is the place you have been wanting to go back to since you joined the army?”
“Oh, yes, I should get home in time to offer the mosquitoes a meal.”
Geordie laughed. “I remember those creatures. Hated them. Don’t get that many up here, although there are days when they can be thick in the air.”
For a while they talked idly about what Iain was still doing, what Reid and Robbie were still working hard on, and what James had plans to do. Then, when James idly asked Geordie what his plans were, Geordie thought for only a minute before telling him.
“I am planning a journey east. Want to see the ocean again,” he said.
“Why not go west? There’s an ocean that direction too, and a lot is happening that way.”
“Too much, I am thinking. I dinnae want an exciting or dangerous journey just to see any ocean. I want to see the one we traveled on, the one I have always looked on the times I got close enough to do so.”
“It is just water.”
“So speaks the mon who has lived near it his whole life. Probably can step out on your front stoop and stare at it.”
“Nope, not that close. Only a fool builds that close to it. It can be as destructive as it is beautiful.”
“Really? I suppose we did hit some rough waters on the way here.”
“Well, picture those rough waters hitting the shore. They have washed away many a man’s home.”
“Sad, but I dinnae have a wish to be living there, just a craving to see it, sit on shore and soak in the sight and sound of it when it is calm.”
“Before the two of ye get caught up in whether the ocean is calm or nay, dangerous or good, let us discuss what we were wondering about before ye came here, James,” said Iain.
“Oh? Am I going to like this?”
“Dinnae ken. Ye are headed back to Maine, aye?”
“I am. Hoping to spend a night in a bed here, then riding out.”
“Mind if Geordie and Robbie ride out with you?”
James looked at the two young men, then back at Iain. “Company is always good, but”—he looked at Geordie—“are ye hoping to stay with me? Because I am nay certain there will be much room. Had a bad storm come through and had some damage there. That damage is what caused Da to hurt himself. My sister and her family had to move in with us until they get their home fixed. Tree came down and took out their roof.”
“I wasnae expecting to be housed,” said Geordie. “I rather assumed there would be rooms to let or something, since I suspect ye get a lot of folk coming in for a summer visit.”
“Yes, we do, and that number appears to be growing. Also, a bit of trouble with men using underhanded legal tricks to take homes or land the owners don’t want to sell. I made sure I can get the money I saved quickly and easily in case it is needed by my folks. Mother often had a room to let so she could get some extra money, but my sister and her family are in it now. I have neighbors who even built a couple small cabins to let on their land, and do quite nicely when the summer folk wander up. It may be a slowly growing business, but it is agrowingbusiness. Trains going up that way have really added to the numbers. Haven’t decided whether I like it or not, but doubt I will get much say in the matter.”
“I am nay sure I could abide dealing with strangers wandering in every year,” said Iain.
“Seems a relatively good way to get some money and there arenae that many ways to do so in some places now,” said Robbie.
“Too many businesses destroyed and fields burned and towns pummeled into dust. From what I have seen it is being cleaned up fair swiftly though.”
James nodded. “Not that much ruined up my way. So, are ye ready to set off as soon as tomorrow? Hate to rush you, but when one’s mother sends out an order . . .”
“Aye, I have already started packing and can finish that tonight,” answered Geordie, and then he turned to look at Robbie. “Are ye ready?”
“I can be by morning.”
