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“Apparently, this filly isn’t the only one you have won over today. Joe sounded mighty pleased when he told me how well you’re doing at roping.” He ran his hand up and down the neck of the horse in a soothing gesture. “He also mentioned you completed a full day of hard work.”
She stared up into his face and liked the way the moon danced across his features.
“We’ll probably get you started on herding tomorrow but keep practicing your roping.”
She nodded.
He paused seemingly intent on the horse’s neck. “I might just have been wrong about you.”
Anna had an overwhelming urge to raise her hand and cover his with her own where it lay against the horse’s soft coat.
He turned and looked down at her in the darkness. “You might just make an excellent ranch hand after all.”
Hearing his approval should have made her heart sing, instead she felt her spirits drop. She didn’t want to be this man’s ranch hand. She wanted much more.
“It’s getting late, the men will be turning in soon.” He stepped away from the horse but made no effort to leave. “You best get along. I’m sure today has worn you out and tomorrow will be just as full.”
Anna nodded slowly but didn’t agree. She didn’t want to leave. She loved being outside with the animals, and with the man. With a start she blinked and took a quick step backwards. Her thoughts were becoming more troublesome. From here on out she would have to be more careful where she allowed them to stray. Or there was the fear of her feelings following shortly after. She turned and climbed over the gate fence, then ran back to the bunkhouse. Wade had remained where she left him.
* * *
The next couple of days Joe spent hours training the boy for the upcoming roundup on the southwestern terrain. It would be impossible to have him fully trained before that, but sufficient enough to get along. Besides, Wade always felt the best school of learning was hands-on experience.
Atmosphere at the ranch had changed in those few short days. Spirits were brighter and everyone seemed to be getting along. In particular the boy. Wade couldn’t express how pleased it made him to know he was fitting in with the ranch hands. The group was a crusty and brash ensemble but were jolly and good-natured. Wade had hand-picked the lot of them himself, except the cook and old Chuck Rhodes.
Both had been with the ranch since the days of his father.
Chuck was probably the only one who stood out of the group. His odd behavior was an easy target for the cowboys. Even Wade had begun to notice some unusual conduct. Like the time the men were in the shoot, rounding up cattle and the boy was in the watering hole filling the animal troughs. Chuck showed up out of nowhere and as the boy bent over to fill the large containers, he began sniffing the boy’s buttocks. It was apparent the old man had thought no one had noticed for he scattered pretty damn quick when Wade hollered over at him. The boy, unaware, had only looked up confused.
Wade made a mental note to have a chat with old Chuck Rhodes before they headed off for the roundup. He didn’t want any trouble out in the unforgiving wilderness. Nature usually provided enough conflict. Turning his attention to the sky, he acknowledged as of yet the weather looked like it was going to cooperate. It was a perfect day to head out.
They would be covering the southeastern terrain first, driving the cattle west and then upward north of the Durand Pass. It would take three full days, the second would have them passing through the town of Lantern where they would stop for the night. It allowed his man to relax, get a decent meal, and good night’s sleep on an actual bed.
Down by the stables the ranch hands were getting ready loading their horses with equipment. Automatically, Wade searched out the boy. It had become a regular habit. In four short days, a bond had formed and grew. Admittedly, he liked the kid and for the fact he shadowed Wade wherever he went, he knew the boy liked him in return. His lack of speech had not been an obstacle and, in fact, he conceded it was probably one of the things he liked most about the boy. His silent presence was very calming.
Chuck Rhodes had dressed Sty and had him waiting outside the stables with the rest of the ranch hands. As usual, right before a roundup or cattle drive, the men were getting antsy and wanted to hit the trail. Like Wade, they too loved the great terrain. Somehow he knew the boy shared the same love. He noticed it in his every move and his every look. Today was no exception.
The boy appeared more alive than ever and if eyes could smile, his were beaming. It was obvious he was looking forward to being out in the wilderness.
Joe brought his horse next to Wade. “The men are ready whenever you give the go ahead, boss.”
He looked toward the homestead. “We’ll just give Prescott a few more minutes.”
“Right.” His lead hand replied, but Wade knew what he really thought about his brother and had to agree. Where the wilderness was concerned, Prescott always seemed out of place.
“Listen, have you noticed the boy visiting Lucy’s pen nightly?” Ever since that first evening, he had stepped out onto the large porch circling his house and looked down the hillside to the paddocks. Each night, he had seen a lone figure in the paddock with the filly. From the shape and form, he knew it was the boy.
“He bin givin’ Lucy a hard time?”
“No, of course not,” Wade said. “More like they were sharing some type of communication.”
Joe frowned. “How so?”
Wade looked over at the boy. “For one thing, I’ve never seen a man capture and hold eye contact with a horse for so long.”
The lead’s brows rose in surprise. “Can’t say I ever seen it either, but I’ve heard of an ancient craft where they say men were able to whisper to animals. Likes they were talkin’ to ‘em.”
“The boy is a mute.” He reminded him.
