With the sunset, the town was covered in a golden mist. The dusty roads carried long shadows deep into the town. Veronica, with her usual cheerfulness, walked along saying, "This is the oldest bakery in town… And that over there is Martha's shop, famous for its apple pie."
Duncan leaned slightly toward Millie and whispered.
— This woman is definitely making extra income from tour guiding.
Millie smiled, nodding her head.
— I think she's working voluntarily… or maybe just the joy of talking is enough for her.
Veronica turned and looked curiously.
— What did you say, darling?
Millie quickly recovered.
— We were just talking about how lively the town feels.
Duncan nodded in agreement, but when he tried to add a sentence, he couldn't find the words.
When they reached the street where the house stood, laughter could be heard from inside. Veronica stopped at the door and spread her arms wide.
— Here is your new home. I hope your day went well.
When the door opened, inside was complete chaos. Marcus, with a cowboy hat in his hand, was trying to keep his balance on top of the couch, while Jason was trying to get him down. Albert was in the corner sipping his coffee with a look that said, "Don't involve me." Sunny, meanwhile, stood by the window pretending to watch someone important outside.
Duncan stopped at the threshold and raised his eyebrows.
— Did this place turn into a rodeo while we were gone?
Jason sighed, snatching Marcus's hat and sitting down.
— Long story… But sometimes a cowboy takes his role a bit too seriously.
Millie turned to Marcus with raised eyebrows.
— You… what were you doing on the couch?
Marcus shrugged, with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
— Practicing cowboy balance.
Jason lifted his eyebrows slightly, giving him a mocking look.
— Cowboy balance… or "cowboying isn't as cool as it looks but we don't admit it" balance?
Marcus tried to suppress a grin as he looked at Jason.
— My cowboying is always cool. (giving Jason a slightly challenging look)
The corner of Jason's lips curved slightly, and there was a brief silence between them. Marcus, without breaking eye contact, placed the hat back on his head, as if to say, "Alright then, next time you try it."
As Veronica said goodbye, she added, "Good luck with your tasks tomorrow. This town is your home now."
Marcus immediately glanced toward the kitchen with an empty plate in his hand.
— So… is there any food?
Sunny giggled and nodded her head to point.
— There is, but I won't say who made it. Taste it first. (Jason had cooked, since Albert had come home late, and Sunny knew if Marcus found out, he'd avoid eating it.)
After a bit of chatting, everyone started heading to their rooms. Millie turned to Duncan with a sweet smile.
— Come on, little sir, today's adventure is over.
Duncan pouted.
Millie shook her head.
— You're both little and adorable.
Duncan turned his face away.
— I'm not adorable…
When night fell, the house was wrapped in silence, broken only by the faint sound of snoring. It wasn't clear whose room it came from, but everyone had the same name in mind: Marcus...
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