The Fire in Ember - DiAnn Mills [88]
He smiled and watched Racer trot toward them. “How could I ever leave with the ranch to run?”
She patted the stallion. “You were younger than Aaron and Mark when you took over.”
“But it was real hard. Not so sure I’d want my brothers to give up their boyhood for hard work.”
“What if they’d like a chance to prove themselves? To be men of purpose like you?”
He touched her nose and grinned. “Are you always going to challenge me?”
“Always.”
“And you’ll stay until this is over.”
She blinked and nodded. “I don’t want to leave you.”
Winter could not come soon enough. A hope for the future …
Early Tuesday morning, right after sun-up, John walked through the barn and admired the mucked out stalls. The barn hadn’t looked better since Davis took on the job.
John heard a rider and walked out into the sunlight to see a stranger riding toward the house. His rifle leaned against the side of the barn. This time of the day, his arm often stiffened, but he could shoot straight and to its mark. Cattle rustlers might still be combing the area, and he’d be a fool to trust a man he didn’t know.
He scrutinized the rider. The man looked like he’d been traveling for a while—dusty clothes, shaggy beard, lean. But his rifle lay horizontal on the right side of his saddle instead of across his lap. One hand rested on his thigh, opposite the rifle and the other hand held the reins. Good sign. But John had to invoke caution.
“Mornin',” John said. “What can I do for you?”
The stranger stayed on his horse. “The name’s Steven Lockhart. Lookin’ for work.”
The boys were heading back to school soon, and he needed help, especially with Evan leaving. “Where you from?”
“Wyoming. Gets mighty cold up there.”
“Does here too.”
“Can’t be any worse. All I know is ranchin'. Can you use me? I work cheap.”
John smiled. “My brothers help out during the summer months. Right now I don’t have much work until they get back to school in September.”
“I’d be willing to work for room and board until then.”
John continued to study the young man before him. Caution jumped into his bones. “Do you have anyone I can wire in Wyoming about you?”
“Sure do. I even have a letter in my saddlebag from the last ranch where I worked.”
With all the rustling of late, John’s nature refused to take the word of a stranger. “I’d prefer wiring myself.”
“I understand. A man has to be careful. I’d do the same. Once you get a good word about me, how long before you’d need an extra hand?”
“Not for about five weeks.” John thought by then he’d be able to do Evan’s chores plus his own without his arm paining him. “I do have fence to build and cattle to drive back from summer pastures.”
“Do we have a deal?”
“Let me send a wire and talk it over with my family.”
“All right. Mind if I camp on your land tonight?”
John had been hungry and tired many a time, but those times built character. “Why don’t you have breakfast with us, and I’ll make arrangements for you to stay at a hotel tonight in Rocky Falls?”
“Couldn’t I camp on your land after I check a couple of other ranches to see if they need help?”
“We’ve had some problems with cattle rustlers. I need to be mindful of you and those looking out for their own cattle.”
“What about the local law?”
John chuckled. “I’m Rocky Falls’ deputy. We thought we found the rustler, but more livestock are missing. Folks are edgy.”
“Thanks for the warnin'. I’d enjoy breakfast with your family, but I’d like to help with chores. Never been one to take charity.”
“I respect a man who wants to work for his keep.”
“Thanks.” Steven swung down from his horse. “What can I do to help you until breakfast?”
John pointed to where a couple of trees needed to be chopped. “I was about to chop wood until then.”
“Let’s get at it.”
About thirty minutes later, with another cord of wood ready for winter, John showed Steven where to wash up at the well. His brothers were curious and introduced themselves. Evan studied him but said nothing. The stranger had worked hard and been good company. John listened