I had tough when we cleared the trees and the wayward juveniles spotted their mothers. They ran bawling to their moms and immediately sought out a teat to nurse on. Therger cows stood patiently and let their young feed. I couldn’t help but think that if it was me that had run off from my mom I would have gotten an ass chewing instead of a tit to suckle on when I got back.


    We had fried chicken, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes for supper that night. The tter was piled high with breasts, legs and thighs cooked to perfection. I had more energy that night and talked more than the night before. I learned more about Colleen. Her parents had immigrated to the United States from Irnd when she was five years old. Her father had always had a fascination with the tales of the Old West and hade to Montana. That exined the trace of the Irish brogue. She had grown up in America but still had the influence of her parent’s in her speech.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I was feeling much better the next day and once again after breakfast I headed back to rece fence posts. Sam helped me load up the mules but I headed out on my own. All I had to do was follow the stream to my destination. This day was easier than the first. I had learned a few tricks that made the work less strenuous. Shortly before four o’clock I set thest post and headed back to the barn. I had some extra time so I mucked some of the stalls before cleaning up for dinner.


    My fourth day I helped Sam make repairs to some of the buildings and the day after set more fence posts. The next two months passed quickly. I now took my turn riding the range checking on the cattle. I was in the best shape of my life. We had a schedule set where Sam took Saturday off, Bill took off Sunday and Monday was my day off. I used my day to do myundry and run into town if I needed anything.


    I had grown quite fond of everyone on the ranch. Sam was good-natured and easy going. We would often sit and talk after supper. I had a lot of respect for Bill. He was honest and hardworking and we got along well. Colleen was very sweet to Sam and I but I could see she had some fire to her. She and Bill made a great couple.


    Colleen and Bill were getting excited now. At breakfast on Friday Colleen told me that her daughter would being home in one week. It was my turn that day to take a horse and ride through the wooded section checking for cattle that might have wandered up into the hills. It was a little after four and I had made my way to the stream and turned to follow it down. When I reached the pool below the waterfall I stopped and dismounted. I took off my shirt and knelt down next to the water. I dipped my bandana into the cool water and began to wash the sweat and dust from my face and neck.


    I heard a whinny from downstream and looked to my right to see a horse and rider approaching. At first I thought it was Colleen but quickly realized that this was a younger version of her. This beautiful woman could only be Caitlin. She had the same crystal blue eyes and red hair as her mother did. She rode up and stopped several feet from me as I stood up and faced her. She looked me over and I saw her eyes stop on my bare chest. The two months of hard work showed in my taut muscles.


    “Who are you and what are doing on this property,” she snapped in a haughty tone.


    “Names Carson and I work here,” I replied.


    “I don’t believe you. My dad said he couldn’t afford to pay another hand,” she said.


    Despite how beautiful she was I was getting a little aggravated at her unfriendly tone. “Yeah, I heard that too. I guess that’s why Iugh all the way to the bank every payday.”


    Caitlin red at me and reined her horse around and gave it a kick in the sides. I watched as she cantered out of sight. Chuckling to myself I put my shirt back on and remounted my horse and continued on towards the barn.


    Later I found out that there had been a mimunication between Caitlin and her parents. They thought she wasing home next week. Instead, to her parents surprise, she had arrived a couple hours after I had rode out . She had spent the morning and the early part of the afternoon with her parents until she told them she wanted to go for a ride, something she hadn’t had time for in school but loved to do. So she saddled up and rode up to her favorite spot, the waterfall and pool of water. I guess after two months I was old news and Bill and Colleen had forgot to mention me.


    Just as I rounded the barn I saw the back of the red head disappear inside. I got down and proceeded to lead my horse inside. Caitlin must have been looking for her father and finally found him in the barn.


    I could clearly hear her loud voice. “Who is that man that was up at the waterfall?” she demanded to know.


    Bill thought for a minute. “That must have been Carson,” he answered.


    “He said he works here. Butst time I was here you told me you couldn’t afford to pay another hand.”


    “Well, he’s right, he does work here. As to what he gets paid, I don’t think that’s any of your business. I still own this ranch youngdy.”


    “Daddy, he says you pay him so much that heughs all the way to the bank,” she sputtered.


    I had walked into the barn by that point. Caitlin had her back to me and didn’t see me. Bill did and gave me a grin. “Is that true, Carson. If you think you’re over paid I can rectify that,” he said to me. Caitlin spun around and locked me in her re.


    I pulled my hat off with one hand and scratched the back of my head with the other. “Well, I would hate to take advantage of you Bill. Just how much are you thinking of cutting my wages?” I asked. At that Bill and I both cracked upughing. Caitlin now red at both of us as she failed to see the humor.