The Mayfields and the Elledges arrived later in the afternoon that day. They had brought the converted bus Grandad Elledge had bought a few years ago. It was a service bus that he had removed the last four rows of seats from, to allow them space to carry other things in the back. The last four seats, at the rear, would lay all the way down making beds to sleep in. There were also hooks, 4 on each side to hang hammocks on, if it was preferred. It was ample for most of the things, as there was almost 12 feet of cargo space to the rear. Grandad had laughed as he worked on it. He had observed that if he and Granny had had this while he was still in the Army, they would have driven the wheels off the 3 times they were in Europe. They HAD had a Volkswagen bus. Both of them had fallen in love with the little, square box vehicle. He had bought it for $750 when he arrived, and sold it for $600, 3 years later. The only reason he hadn’t brought it home was it wasn’t built with American safety standards. He had sold it to his replacement Sergeant Major, for HIS family.

The gang had rushed out to greet them upon their arrival. Bruce had introduced each of them as they stood outside the gate to the yard. They had all felt an immediate kinship with Bruce’s family. His Father and Mother, Chris and Nola, were just a little younger than the Breens and the Campbells elders. Almost the same as Pete and Doris. They had immediately started talking about the hunting in the area. All of them lived to hunt. Nothing was ever wasted. Granny Elledge and Nola were expert at tanning the deer hides to perfection. It was as soft and supple, when they finished as any suede you could find. Granny had learned from HER Grandmother how to cure them almost perfectly white, to make ceremonial garb. Her dresses were highly prized among the ladies, and her coats/jackets as highly prized among the men.

Grandad Elledge belied his former life as a retired Division Sergeant Major, with a cutting since of humor. He loved making people laugh. His favorite method was to portray himself as the old western movie Indian. He listened to the men discussing guns for their hunting, and quipped, “UGH!!! Paleface not know how go hunt good. He use bang stick. Bow and arrow only good way hunt! No scareum other a****l.” He kept the stern look on his face until the others started laughing, then broke into laughter his own self. Granny poked him in the back, and told him, “That’s enough o’ your bull crap, Sitting On Ass. Talk like ya got a brain in yer head.” This made the laughter even louder. Liz kissed her on the cheek. “Looks like we BOTH married clowns, Dear. Gotta love ’em, though.”

Bruce, Billy, and Rick took the array of luggage up to the rooms that Cathy had given for their stay. She wasn’t sure what to expect from Bruce’s sister, but ALL had been surprised at her amazing beauty. She was, by ANY standard, BREATHTAKING!!! She was a hair taller than any of the other women, admitting that she was a half inch shy of 6 feet, and had straight, coal black hair to her waist, tied, for now, in a long braid. She had the most beautiful figure any could imagine, and tan complexion of a person who lived for the outdoors. Her eyes were very slightly slewed, and such a dark brown as to, at first glance, appear black. Her nose was straight, and perfectly formed, and her lips were a perfect cupids bow, and a delicious, rosy pink. She looked like she was begging to be kissed, which was, as a matter of fact, near her true nature. She was wildly romantic with family and close friends, loving to hold them close, and loving to be held. She greeted Bruce with a long, sweet kiss on his lips, tears of joy flowing from seeing her brother after so long. She admitted freely to their closeness. Cathy had guessed, correctly, that she would weigh probably 115 to 120 pounds. She told Cathy later that evening that she weighed in at 116, and had studied ballet, receiving offers to join several companies, but refusing to return to her rural background. She had come to hate the bustle and deceit of city life. Their hometown had less than 3000 residents. Granny was teaching her the old ways to live, and she loved it with all her heart.