Chapter 98
Wolf trotted along beside the group until they came to the gate. There he stopped. He looked back at Sam, then at the departing men. He dropped his head, his plumed tail hanging down and walked slowly back to Sam and Ramón. In the distance, Sam could hear the roll of thunder.
* * * *
Sam rode Sweet Summer Storm slowly along the trail that led from the hacienda to the vineyards. He was alone, except for Wolf. For many months now he had lived happily at the ranch with Ramón as his lover. They had made love almost daily, sometimes several times a day. They had gone for long rides over the dela Vega property. Frequently they went to Sacramento with Ramón’s friends for a night of drinking and laughter at the cantina. Often they would spend the night at the hotel.
While Sam enjoyed these times, as spring approached, he had become increasingly restless. He was not used to being idle. This life of total leisure began to lack direction, seeming to have no purpose.