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“I’ll be back in time for harvest.”
    â€œThe Lord willin’,” Polly added.
    â€œYes, the Lord willing,” Chad said.
    â€œAren’t we going to have a farm in Mexico, Papa?” Simon asked.
    â€œNot exactly. Remember I told you that we were planning to sell the land? First we’ll drill for oil. The folks from the big companies will buy the land if we find oil.”
    â€œIt won’t be as pretty as our fields, will it?” Alice said.
    â€œNo, it won’t,” Manda answered for Chad. “Nothing is as pretty as these green leaves and sprouts of corn.” She glanced at her husband. “We’ll all miss it.”
    Chad remained silent for the rest of the trip to Winner, and the children wisely said nothing more about Mexico.

    The small church was crowded with worshippers, and after the service it seemed that everyone pounded Luke on the back and welcomed his return after so many weeks.
    â€œI hear you folks are joining the caravan to Mexico,” the minister said. “That’s a pretty long trip. Staying a year, are you?”
    â€œWe plan to,” Chad replied. “I’ve filed on several sections, and it’ll take that long to see whether it’s going to be profitable.”
    â€œTaking a chance, aren’t you? What if your claim is a pile of rocks that won’t even grow cactus?”
    â€œDon’t think it will be,” Chad replied. “We have to take the land agent’s word for it, but if he tries to hoodwink all of us, he’ll be in big trouble.”
    Dr. Flynn wandered over while the ladies were putting out the dinner. “I happen to know that this is the best food around,” he said. “Polly sure got you back on your feet, didn’t she, Luke?”
    Luke happily agreed that this was so, and Polly looked pleased. “Go along with you, Doc. You just saw this berry cobbler and thought you’d get a piece of it. Why don’t you and the missus join us for dinner?”
    â€œWe’d be happy to do that. I think Elaine is already over here talking to Frances.”
    He sat down with the men, and they were soon discussing the crops and the upcoming trip to Mexico.
    â€œYou’re leaving your place in good hands, Chad,” Dr. Flynn said. “Henry and Amelia are capable young people, and her brothers are good workers. We’ll miss all of you, especially on Sunday when Frances isn’t here to play the organ. You have a wonderful family. Make sure you don’t lose any of them in Mexico.”

    Ethan was sitting with some of the older boys. They were talking about Mexico too.
    â€œYou’re lucky, Ethan. I wish I could travel like that.” Sam Goode sighed. “I’ll spend the rest of my life on the farm and maybe get to town on the Fourth of July.”
    â€œYou come in to church every Sunday, Sam.”
    â€œI don’t count that as going to town. This is the only thing I see.” Sam gestured at the woods surrounding the little church on three sides and then out across the prairie they were facing. “Hey!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Look at the dark clouds coming in! Do you suppose it’s going to hail the way it did three years ago?”
    The boys stood and watched the black clouds come closer. The men stopped talking and walked to the edge of the churchyard. Very soon the sun was covered, and the bright day had turned to dusk.
    Mothers gathered their children and headed for the church. “Hurry and get inside! We’re going to have a downpour!”
    â€œThem ain’t rain clouds. We’d best take shelter,” one of the older settlers declared. He headed for the building, and Ethan and the others followed quickly. As many as could crowded around the windows to watch the ominous blackness approach. There was silence in the church. Even the small children watched wide-eyed while objects like pebbles hit the panes of glass,