Two weeks earlier; southwest territory...

Brandt stepped off the plane and greeted Columbus with a bone-crushing hug. "Are your brothers here so I can see if they've outgrown the runt of the litter?"

Columbus's laugh was as big as he was. "Who are you calling a runt? Even Amy complains I'm eating them out of house and home."

Brandt kept his arm around Columbus as they walked to one of several waiting vehicles. They encountered no problems during the trip to ...