From Dreams
To Reality
Part 3
by
Fantasy
Chapter 7: The Haunting of De
While I was out by the lake with De trying to get her to talk, Maggie and Unc were having quite the conversation, albeit a little one-sided, back up at the ranch house.
"Are you just going to sit there and do absolutely nothing," Maggie demanded.
"Nope."
"No?"
"That’s what I said."
" What do you mean no? Jonathan Churchill Fleming are you going to just sit there and tell me you’re going to let those two girls charge out of here like that and do nothing about it?"
"Yes, Margarita Maria Rosetti, that’s exactly what I intend to do, nothing!" Maggie threw up her hands in desperation and cut loose with a string of Italian expletives. "Listen Maggie calm down. There is only one person in the world who can help De right now and she’s already out there."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes I do. Now Ms. Rosetti would you care to retire out to the patio and join me this ev’nin for a bit of wine?" Maggie eyed the tall rancher suspiciously.
"Doan you big fake! You just want to go out there so you can see where they went."
"Not true. I already know where they went; they’re down by the lake."
"How can you be so sure."
"Cause I just am. It’s the ‘thinking place’, has been for as long as anybody can remember. My grandfather used to go fishin' at that lake whenever he wanted to think, my father did too, so did Len and me. When Cody was just a little bitty thing, Len and I took her down there to fish. She was sittin’ on a log with her tongue stickin’ out the corner of the mouth. I asked what she was doing and she told me she was thinkin’. ‘This is the thinking place Unc’, she said. And so that’s what it’s been ever since. It’s good to see De could make use of it too." Maggie was still very concerned.
"Are you positive?"
"Yep. Now are you going to join me or not?" Unc asked as he extended his arm to the Italian housekeeper. Maggie eyed him with a wry expression on her face.
"Why Doan. My aren’t we chivalrous this evening?"
"Of course my dear." Maggie reached out and grasped the older gentleman’s arm and together they walked, with wine in hand, out to the patio and the pleasant Canadian summer night.
Meanwhile back out by the lake, De was still wrapped snugly and comfortably in my arms. A shooting star flew swiftly across the night sky. We both gazed at the blazing trail it left behind.
"I’d forgotten how beautiful the stars were at night. Living in the big city, the lights tend to block out the night sky with their glaring brightness. Dad used to tell me if you make a wish on a falling star it will come true." I could feel De’s head nod against my chest. It felt so good to hold her in my arms this way, so right.
"There is a Blackfoot legend that says shooting stars are the arrows of a great warrior and hunter named Running Wolf. After he was killed in battle, the Great Spirit was so impressed by his bravery in battle and his prowess as a hunter that He made Running Wolf the Great Hunter of the Heavens. His job is to supply food for all the people who have passed over." I pulled De deeper into my arms and kissed her raven crown. God I wished I could crawl deep inside this sensitive, hurting woman and fix her damaged heart.
"That’s a beautiful story De. I remember Unc telling me about Blackfoot legend when I was a kid, my dad too. De," I asked softly, "would you like to tell me why you bolted from the house the way you did?" There was a long silence, and I started to tell her not to bother if it was too hard, but she spoke, her voice soft and low.
"I don’t…it’s so…I’m not very good saying what I feel, but I’ll try." De shivered slightly as she spoke.
"Hey c’mon, lets get inside. It’s getting kind of chilly." I unwrapped my arms from the taller muscular frame and stood up. I offered my hand to her hoping she would take it.
"I…well…would you come home with me. I’d feel a little more comfortable taking there." At that exact moment my stomach went into a rumbling fit that would rival a Grizzly Bear’s stomach in volume.
"Sure, but could we stop by the house and get something to eat?" A nod. "Do you have a microwave?" Another nod. "Good then we can get the rest of the lasagna, garlic bread, and salad. I’m sure there’s lots left." A very emphatic nod.
"Um could we…uh…bring the rest of the Chianti too?"
"Absolutely partner. Let’s go."
It didn’t take long to gather up all the goodies, which would make up our meal. We walked through the back yard, across the barnyard, and up the stairs to De’s apartment. As we walked, we were unaware of the silent, smiling green eyes watching us from his upstairs bedroom window.
"I think they’ll be okay Len, you don’t have to worry. I think your little girl has found what she has been searching for all these years." The tall rancher turned away from the window and switched of the light on the bedside table. "It won’t be long before you and I are herding cattle together again, and I got a lot to do in a short time. G’night big brother. Watch over them until I get up."
********************
"I don't remember ever enjoying a meal as much as I enjoyed this one De. I hope you did too."
"For sure. I've never tasted...uh I mean...well the food I usually eat isn't this fancy."
"De lasagna isn't fancy, honey. It's more like a hearty meal. You know the Italian version of meat and potatoes." De sat there with a pained expression on her beautiful features. "I'm sorry De I didn't mean to embarrass you or make you feel bad...I..." De stopped my rambling.
"Cody it isn't your fault. It's me, my life. I've never had the chance...I...well before I came...oh dammit. A little over two years ago, I was released from prison. I had been in jail for six years on a murder charge." I'm sure if I hadn't been sitting down, my jaw would have hit the floor. "I wouldn't blame you if you ran out the door and never came back; it's what I deserve." I reached out and touched De's arm, and the muscles and tendons immediately tensed, then relaxed under my gentle, soothing rubbing.
"De I think no such thing." I leaned back into the cushions of the comfy couch and opened my arms, inviting De into my embrace. "Why don't you tell me what happened. I can't believe you are capable of murder. I know people; it's kind of a gift. I can sense the good in people. And I sense goodness in you De; there must have been some extenuating circumstances. Tell me please."
"I wasn't much more than a kid. I was living on the Blackfoot reservation. A family there sorta took me in; I was a run-away. I heard you mention Dale Half Moon when we first met." I nodded. "It was his aunt and uncle who let me, more like dragged me, into their home."
I remembered Yustus and Virginia Half Moon; they were good people. Their nephew Dale was a good kid too. He was kind of a nerdy, bookish kid. All the other kids picked on him unmercifully. He made something of himself that's for sure. He got a scholarship to the University of Toronto and graduated in law. He returned to the reservation after graduation and is the tribal lawyer now working for tribal rights in the courts. Yustus was and still is involved with tribal government. De continued with her tale.
"Anyway, my folks pretty much dumped me. As far as I know, my old man is in jail for dealing drugs and selling young girls into protitution, and my mother drank herself to death. I was sixteen when I stumbled into the cafe the Half Moons ran just on the outskirts of town. I was into every rotten thing you could imagine then. I did drugs routinely: cocaine when I could get it, crack you name it. I'd sell anything and anybody, including myself, to help feed my habit. I had been running with a gang, in fact I was leading it when a drug deal went sour. The rest of the gang blamed me and I had to run for it. They figured I had made off with the money. But it wasn't me; it was my lieutenant. A guy made Dice messed up the deal and took off with the cash; I barely made it out with my life. I decided to head north from LA and kept going. I worked odd jobs, doing drugs and just kept running. Finally I couldn't run any more. I was so sick and tired, I collapsed inside the door to the cafe. Ginny made Yus pick me up and carry me to bed. They called the doctor, and even the Blackfoot Shaman came in to help heal me. They were resally good to me, and if I had had any brains at all I would have stayed with them. But I was so eaten up with hated and lust for revenge, I left as soon as I could." The shame and pain in De's eyes broke my heart.
"I took off as soon as I could and went south looking for Dice and his cronies. This time, I was smart about things. I stayed off the drugs, and slowly gained a following. With that came more power and with power came money. Soon I was the leader of a gang called the 'Phillipiis'. For ten years, my gang was the most powerful gang on the west coast of the US. I took back my old gang, and had planned to kill Dice myself. But because of my arrogence and stupidity, I didn't realize I was being set-up, again. There was a young kid in the gang called Spike. He wasn't more than a kid. But for whatever reason, he looked up to me and admired me, dumb kid. Anyway, we had Dice all set up, and I was moving in for a kill. I told Spike to stay in my car and kep an eye out. Spike fell asleep and while he was out, someone planted a bomb in the car. When I burst into the warehouse, Dice was already dead, and on the wall painted in his blood was the word SUCCA!!!. I ran out of the building just in time to see the car explode. The cops showed up before I could take off, and I was arrested." Silent tears tracked down my friend's face at the memory of her lost friend.
"He must have meant a great deal to you, I'm so sorry." I reached out to cup her cheek in the palm of my hand and De leaned into my touch.
"I went to trial and was convicted of first degree murder. I was sentenced to life in prison, no parole. The Half Moons heard about what happened and Dale looked into my case for me. He came to see me in prison, but I was so filled with bitterness, self-loathing and hate that I wasn't much help to him. But he, and they, never gave up. Everyone knew it was a set-up, but because of my past history, I may not have killed Dice or Spike, but I had killed so many others, I figured I got what I had coming. I didn't even help in my own defense." I hauled De into my arms and let the sobbing woman cry on my shoulder. I wanted her to release all the pain and hurt. This was the only way I knew how to do it.
"De it's all right. Let it all go. Cry baby, release the pain. It's the only way you can move on with your life. You've paid for your crimes, God has forgiven you, now you must forgive yourself." The reaction the tall woman made was far from what I expected. She flung herself from my arms and began to pace.
"How can you say that? You don't even know me; you don't have any idea what I've done or what I'm capable of doing." I arose from my place on the couch and walked over to the distraught woman. I placed myself in front of her so she couldn't pace.
"Then suppose you tell me what you've done." The woman looked at me like I taken leave of my senses.
"What have I done? More like what haven't I done. Anybody who got in my way, I eliminated. If I didn't do it myself, I had it done. There were people I had under my control who would do absolutely anything I wanted no questions asked. I used people Cody, for eveything, men women, it didn't make any difference. Even when I was in prison, it didn't take long for me to take control of my cell block, and after that virtually all the inmates were under my control. I took any woman I wanted to my bed, I used them like toys, and when I was finished with them, I threw them away like trash. People die around me Cody!" I waited for De to finish her story before I spoke.
"I don't know what caused you to do the things you did," I raised my hand to forestall and interruption, "but all that was in the past. I didn't know that De, but the De I know isn't a murder, period. Tell me the rest. Where did you learn to work horses the way you do?" A small smile curved the corner of her lips at the mention of horses.
"I was sent to Colorado State Prison, and they had a horse program there for the inmates. There was a wild horse there that no one had been able to tame. The horses came in from Nevada under the BLM program for the Adopt-A-Horse Program. Anyway, I couldn't let the challenge go by, so I took over the training of the horse. I named her Elan. She was a pretty palomino filly. She had been badly abused by a previous inmate who tried to break her spirit thinking that would make her bow to his will. He couldn't break her, but I tamed her. The warden put me in charge of the program, and for six years, I worked with the prisoners and a couple of volunteer cowhands from Boulder. At the end of my sixth year in prison, Dale and his aunt and uncle came to see me. The courts had reopened my case because of new evidence. In the new trial, I was acquited and came up here. I lived the Yus and Ginny for about a year, then got my own place on the reservation. I stayed there for another year or so, before Doan offered me the job here about six months ago." Well that was quite a story.
"Whatever happened to the filly?" I asked, hoping she didn't get left behind.
"She's at my place on the res. Warden Johnson let take her with me when I was released, sorta an incentive to stay outta trouble I guess." What do I do now?
"I'd like to see her some time if you wouldn't mind me coming to see your place?" De whirled around, towering above me.
"Didn't you just hear anything I just told you? The things I've done, the people's lives I've destroyed? You're in danger if you hang around me. I could do those things to you too." There's cock-eyed logic for you.
"Oh I get it. Once a monster always a monster, huh? Well I don't believe in monsters, goblins, and things that go bump in the night, so you'll have to do better than that if you want to get rid of me. I mean just who have you killed in the last two and a half years? Tell me. Ya can't can ya, cause you've killed no one..." Suddenly warm soft lips took mine in a soft gentle kiss. If the intention was to render me speechless, it worked magnificantly.
"God finally," De said as she broke our kiss, "I didn't think you'd ever stop."
"Yeah well, sometimes, that's the only way to shut me up." The tension was broken decidedly. "Listen, you can never change the past, but you can go forward, and live your life to help others. I mean look at what you've been trying to do for the Blackfoot. Unc tells me you and Dale are doing great things together. He says the money from the oil wells will really improve the quality of life for the whole tribe. That's something to bre really proud of. And..." Again De's wonderfully soft gentle kiss was doing some really exciting things to certain parts of my anatomy.
"I could really get used to getting you to shut up like this," De murmured through our kiss.
"Umm well, I'm not compaining mind you, but you're in danger of wearing your lips out; I do tend to talk a lot. Look De, I want to know you, everything about you. I want you to know that I'll always be here for you, and I'm not the only one. There's the Half Moons, Dale, and don't forget Unc and Maggie. We all want you to be part of our family. I've never really had a best friend before, I'd like you to be mine, if that's all right with you." I had no idea why, but I couldn't look De directly in her azure eyes. Suddenly I had a bad case of the blushes. The tall, troubled beauty lifted my chin and pinned me with cerulean pools.
"You have done more for me in the last few weeks, and especially tonight, than anyone has ever done for me in my whole life. You've brought joy back into my life, you've made me think my life could be worthwhile, you've given me hope and a sense of belonging I've never had before. Thank you I'd like to take our relationship slowly. I gathered you liked it when I kissed you?"
"Oh yeah, it was nice."
"I liked it too, but I want to do this right. I'd like to...uh...well...date. Damn this is so lame. Would you go out with me on a...a...a date?" This is good. Dating is good, it's a place to start. Starting is good.
"Yes I'd like that, very much." I glanced down and noticed my watch. Shit 2:30am. "God De, look at the time, I better get home so you can get some sleep." I started to rise, but a strong hand stopped me.
"Would you stay here tonight. I mean would you sleep with me?" I thought you wanted slow girl. I must have looked surprised to say the least because De, blushed profusely. "Oh...uh...my God...I didn't mean...I mean, not for sex, I just don't want to be alone. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I understa..." This time I took De's sweet lips with mine to shut her up.
"Mmm, this works both ways. I like that, and there is no need to apologize. I'd love to stay, except I have nothing to sleep in.
"Oh, I could find you a shirt to wear. Will that be okay?" I smiled and nodded.
"That'd be fine." Although I'd rather be naked lying next to you.
'C'mon, I'll show you where you can change."
De led me down the hall passed the kitchen and study into her large bedroom. The wrap around windows gave a beautiful view of the north pasture and the lake. There was a sliding glass door that led out onto the deck. The first door on the right led to the large master bath with a huge jacuzzi and shower. Between the bathroom and another door was a mirrored closet. The door just at the end of the closet led to a fully equipped weight room. No wonder the girl was in such good shape. In the bedroom itself on the opposite wall to the right was a desk holding a computer, printer. scanner, and fax machine.The centerpiece of the room was a huge king sized bed situated under the window with the head sitting so you could lie in bed and look outside. I was taking in the view when a deep contralto voice indisconnected my thoughts.
"Cody, Cody. CODY!"
"Uh oh. I'm sorry, I was just looking at your room; it's very nice"
"Yeah it is. Doan had it built especially for the ranch foreman," De paused before she finished her thought, "I guess that's me. Here, you can put this on, and the bathroom just's in there. You can go first. Oh there's an extra toothbrush in the medicine cabinet."
"You keep extra toothbrushes?"
"I never know when I might have a sleep over," De grinned wickedly, dark eyebrows disappearing beneath equally dark bangs.
"Hum," I grunted as I turned into the bedroom. I finished my chores and returned to the bedroom. "I'm all fin..." I never completed the sentence for I found De sprawled on the bed sound asleep. I quietly crept over to the bed and gently removed the goddess'es boots, and jeans. I covered her with the quilt, and slid into the bed along side of her. I had barely crawled under the covers and got situated myself before long legs and arms covered me. De's head was placed neatly in the little indentation between my shoulder and breast. A slight murmur issued from smiling lips as the tall woman snuggled deeper onto my arms.
"G'night my friend, sleep the dreams of the loved, because you are you know."
I burrowed deeper into the nest we had made together and let sleep overtake me as well. The demons were put to rest, for now at least.
Chapter 8: A New Day
Morning found us still wrapped together in our warm cocoon. It had been so long since I felt the warmth of another human being lying next to me. Those instances were purely sexual in nature; I realized that now. This was something far more basic. This was the simple need of one human being to touch another; it was almost spiritual. The connection I felt at this moment gave me more joy and more peace than all the orgasms I had in my life put together. I suppose I'm not explaining myself very well, but it felt like I was finally home. In the shelter of this hurt, damage soul, I too found the answer to my prayer. I made a vow to myself right here and now I would do everything in my power to love and protect this special woman for the rest of my life. I just hoped De would feel the same way. One sleepy blue eye opened and instantly the owner of said eye was sitting bolt upright in the bed.
"Well good morning. Do you always greet the day like you were shot out of a canon?" A look of shame covered my new love's face at her reaction to awaking with me in her bed.
"I'm sorry. It's just that...I...well when I...oh hell. I thought I was back in prison for a minute. That's the last time I shared my bed with anyone. I'm sorry, I..." I opened my arms to the frightened embarrassed woman. Thankfully she accepted the invitation.
"You have nothing to be sorry for or feel ashamed about. I was just thinking how nice it was to wake up with you lying next to me. It's a feeling I'd like to experience everyday for the rest of my life." The words were out of my mouth before I realized how presumptuous they sounded. De looked up at me uncertainly.
"Did you mean what you just said, really?" She asked in a soft almost timid voice.
"Yes," I said just as softly, "but only if you want it too."
"I'd like that very much. I...I think I'm falling in...in...c'mon De say it, please...love...I. Oh God, Cody I don't know..."
"Just take your time sweetheart. Say whatever you're feeling; I'm listening. One of my many skills, remember?"
"It's just I don't think I've ever been in love before. I've had sex, with both men and women, but I never loved any one them. Spike was more like my kid brother ya know? But when I saw you that first day, something inside of me warmed instantly. I felt a funny nervous sort of sensation in my stomach..."
"Like butterflies?"
"More like jet fighters. I was scared I'd say something stupid, and you'd think I was a real idiot or something."
"You might be many things my dear, but an idiot is not one of them."
"Thank you. Then after that intitial little speed bump we hit, I wanted to get to know you better, but I was afraid to get too close. Afraid you'd find out about my past and want nothing to do with me. I still am. But it's too late now, because I realize what the butterflies and sweaty palms were all about. I was falling in love with you even then. Now I've fallen all the way and there's no going back. For me anyway." There, it's all out in the open. This is what you wanted isn't it? Now your turn.
"Wow, I didn't think you could say that much all at once. Between last night and this morning, that's the most you've ever said to me. And I might add, it's what I wanted to hear from you. I've fallen too, completely, totally. I love you. An just so you know, there is absolutely nothing you could ever say that could ever make me hate you or chase me away; I'm afraid you're stuck with me forever."
Our lips joined in a good morning kiss that said more than mere words ever could. I reached out with the tip of my tongue, stroking full ruby lips begging for entrance which was readily given. Tongues began a slow loving exploration of each other's mouth. I knew her mouth would taste this sweet, be this warm and velvety. I wanted to taste and feel the sweet warm textures in other places too, but unfortunately, my stomach made its presence known. The spell was momentarily broken, which was probably just as well. Both De and I knew we needed to take this slow. I didn't want to rush anything. I wanted to experience everything about falling in love with this exquisite, ravishing goddess. Several small sweet kisses followed before my stomach roared even more loudly, and persistently. Reluctantly we parted.
"I suppose that's part of the package?" De asked sarcastically nodding at my grumbling belly.
"Fraid so." I replied sheepishly.
"Well, that will never do," she rolled away from my embrace. My God, she can't be serious. She reached into a drawer in the night stand. "I can't have it said that I don't think of my lady's needs at all times. Here, chew on this." She pulled out a package of soft chewy cinnamon-apple granola bars.
"De, I love these things," I said happily chewing on the sweet gooey treat. "What else ya got in there?" I tried to reach over my new lover only to find myself flipped over on my back rather unceremoniously.
"Uh, uh, uh. Nope, you stay out of there. That's my stash for emergency purposes only. No sneaking or I'll have ta hurt ya." I stuck my lower lip out in a childish pout hoping that would budge my recalcitrant partner. The resulting action was far better than another granola bar. My lover sucked my lower lip into her mouth, and a new round of kissing ensued. God I could really get used to this. De's kisses were addictive. But one granola bar wasn't going to cut it, and my stomach let out a horrendous growl.
"My God, how do you shut that thing up?" The words came out harsher than De had intended and she instantly apologized. "Babe, I'm sorry. I..." Quickly I kissed her abruptly and effectively silencing her apology.
"It's okay sweetie, there is only one thing that will silence that monster once it's been fully aroused...aroused did I say aroused...and that is one of Maggie's ham, mushroom, and cheese omelets with hashbrowns, bisquits and gravey. C'mon, let's get dressed and get going." I paused for a minute when De didn't automatically follow me out of bed. "Hon, what's the matter."
"Uh well after last night...I...Doan and Maggie..." I returned to the bed and knelt down in front of my love.
"Hey give them a little credit. They love and care about you very much. There won't be any recriminations, trust me. They're only concerned about you. Me too. cause they know how bitchy I can be without proper nourishment. Now c'mon it's time to feed the beast." I patted my belly proudly. De just shook her head and followed.
"Okay, lead on McDuff." I turned and glanced back smiling wryly. Hmm Shakespeare no less. This will be one very interesting relationship.
********************
"Where in the world are those two? Breakfast is almost ready," Maggie complained.
"Don't get your undies in a bunch Maggie. Have you ever known Cody to miss a meal. Didn't you notice the leftover lasagna and wine disappeared sometime last night?" Maggie stopped her fuming long enough to look a little more carefully in the fridge.
"You're right, where could that have disappeared to?"
"Where did what disappear to?" I asked as De and I came through the back door carrying the empty lasagna pan. "Mm, mm, mm. Something sure smells good. See De didn't I tell you?" I peeked under the lid of the frying pan only to have my fingers slapped. "Ow, why did you hit me after the compleiment I paid you?"
"You just never mind, and go sit down; you too De. It's nice to see someone has some manners around here." De grunted, a smug expression covering her face.
"Don't get too cocky there my friend," I whispered in her ear as I walked past. Then to prove my point I nipped her earlobe sharply, getting a slight yelp from my victim. "See what I mean?" Unc was watching our interaction with a bemused expression on his face.
"So you two get things worked out last night." Maggie dropped her metal spatula in the sink resulting in a loud clatter. "Getting fumble fingers in your old age there Maggie? You used to eavesdrop a lot better than that." Maggie turned around shooting daggers at my uncle.
"Just what are you implying old man?"
"Nothing Maggie, not a thing. So did you two resolve some things or not?" Damn Unc was nothing if he wasn't direct.
"Uh yeah actually, we did. Huh De?"
"Yes we did, and I wanted to apoloigize for running out of here the way I did. That was very rude."
"Nonsense," Maggie said, "you have nothing to be sorry for, isn't that right Doan?"
"Well of course," Unce replied, "sometimes things happen, and we just need to get away and sort 'em out. That's a lot better than letting things fester. Ain't that right Cody?"
"Absolutely. See De I told you they'd not hold anything against you." De dropped her head, to stare in her plate, but not for long. Maggie was in front of the taller, younger woman in a heartbeat.
"Now you listen to me Dena Lassiter. Whether you realize it or not, you are family. We love you and care about you very much. When you are hurting or something is bothering you, we are very concerned. You have no reason to feel ashamed or embarrased to show your feelings around us. We understand; more than you think." I smiled and nodded.
"I...uh...I don't know what to say. Usually when people hear about my past they want nothing to do with me. People have even crossed over to the other side of the street to avoid being anywhere near me. I..."
"Well that's there damn problem. I say to hell with them," Unc snorted, "those no 'count lowlifes can just kiss my wrinkled old butt for all I care." Damn now there's a visual.
"Please Unc, I'm trying to eat here." De just sat and stared in amazement at all the few on my plate.
"Oh ha! That'll be the day, when a comment about someone's wrinkled butt would curb your appetite. De I can tell you some things about this woman that will curl your toes. Absolutely nothing can stop this woman from eating. Why one time we was butch..."
"Damn you Doan, save the gory stories for some other time," Maggie growled, "maybe you and Cody have cast iron guts, but the rest of us don't, so just let us eat in piece."
"Oh Maggie." A glare that would curdle milk stopped Unc cold. "Yes ma'am."
"Maggie this is great," I purred around a mouthful of omelet, which earned me a slap on the head.
"Don't talk with your mouth ful. De will be thinking she joined a family of uncouthed animals. And slow down' no one's going to take your food away from you."
"Yes ma'am," I replied contritely.
"I don't understand how you can eat so much food and stay so fit," De ventured.
" It's genetic huh Unc?" Doan chuckled at Cody's comment.
"I guess maybe it is," Unce admitted.
"So Unc what do you have planned for us today?"
"Well I want you two to ride up to the north mountain pasture. We've been losing some stock up there and I want you to check it out. But be sure you're back before the weekend. I leaving for Denver Thursday for that cattle auction."
"Don't worry Unc. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days. I was thinking we should take a look up there anyway. You know to check the cabin and the fences, right De?"
"Yeah we should be back in plenty of time to fill you in before you leave. You thinking about replacing the breeding stock Doan?"
"Been thinkin' on it. Old Duncan ain't getting any younger, and his calves have been good for us, but I should probably get another herd sire."
"You're gonna stick to Angus aren't ya?" Unc looked at me like I'd taken leave of my senses.
"You gone nuts girl. A course I'll buy Angus. There ain't no other kind!"
"Sorry, I lost my head."
"Well see if you can't get a hold of it again for a minute," Maggie slipped in. "You do remember that Friday I'm going to Drumheller to stay with my niece for a few days. She's just getting home with the new baby, and her Gregory, God love him, is helpless around the house. So do you two think you can manage by yourselves?"
"Well of course. God Maggie were adults; we're not helpless ya know," I said indignantly.
"Right," Unc smiled. De just sat there like the cat that swallowed the canary. God help me; I am in so much trouble.
The end of Part III. What do you think? I'm enjoying writing this one, I hope y'all are enjoying reading it too.