"Same thing." Ted grinned. "If you want to follow me, I'll show you the way up there."
"Ride with ya," Beamish declared. "Tha's just what I'll do."
"You're welcome."
Ordering Tammie to stay in the house, Ted guided his exuberant guest to the pickup and opened the door for him. Arthur Beamish bellowed, "Follow us, men! Ah, wilderness!"
He sat companionably close and draped a friendly arm across Ted's shoulder. "Lots of grouse?"
"Plenty. You like grouse hunting, eh?"
"Best darn' game there is!" Beamish exploded. "I rather get me one grouse than forty-nine deer! And I get 'em, too!"
"You do?"
"Didn't you ever hear about me?"
"I—" Ted hesitated. Obviously, he was supposed to know his guest. But he didn't, yet to say the wrong thing might mean to give offense, "Uh—aren't you—?"