Go live your way Part 2

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When they got to the ranch the next morning, Ruby was in the square with a horse on the lunge. She seemed to want to get used to a saddle. With a lot of patience she showed him the saddle again and again, spoke calmly to the animal and very slowly laid the saddle on its back. Travis stood to the side and watched the scene.

"Hey good morning," he said softly. The six saluted back and watched Ruby. She managed to pull the girth tight and suddenly the horse freaked out. First it went up the front, then up the back and started running. Travis got hold of the lunge and managed to stop the big animal.

"Was that because  we are here now?," said Zoe,

"No, this is the third time today. Leo is afraid of the saddle." said Ruby.

"Leave it alone for today," Travis said, putting the horse back in its box.

"Does any of you dare to drive Alberto's pickup or mine? I think we'd rather not drive your cars up there," said Travis. Roberto and Alvaro looked at each other while Juanma said "Sure I'll drive" and everyone laughed.

Alvaro took the key and Mia and he drove with Juanma and Zoe with Travis pickup, Travis, Ruby, Roberto and Clara took the pickup from Alberto.

The paths up to the meadows were bumpy and stony and Alvaro realized that Travis was right, the paths would not have been suitable for the normal cars of Roberto and Alvaro.

Suddenly Travis made an emergency stop and Ruby got out. She ran to the edge of a sloping meadow and looked down. Travis joined her and Ruby pointed to something further down. Alvaro and the others got out and joined them,too. They looked where Ruby was pointing.

"What's going on" asked Clara.

"A metal enclosure has been set up down there," said Travis. The students looked at each other.

"This is a wild horse trap," said Ruby while trying to get coverage on her cell phone.

"There is the herd," Travis called. "Shit they're running towards it."

"Can't we stop them" asked Zoe.

"No, unfortunately not," said Ruby. "It makes no sense to stand in the way of the horses. They people who built this put feed and hay in it and lie in wait somewhere. Most of these guys have weapons, that's too dangerous."

Clara swallowed. "Then we'd better go back down and get help, right?"

Travis narrowed his eyes. "There's only one car down there, there can't be that many. Let's drive around the back and see if there's a van somewhere."

They got back in the cars and Alvaro followed Travis. They drove around the mountain once. When they saw the meadow again, they saw the trap from below. Travis drove by. They stopped again when they were out of sight.

"My suggestion is to wait until they've got a couple of horses trapped. They'll have to fetch a truck, then maybe someone else is there to watch out. If we distract him ..." Travis said.

"Are you crazy, we have guests with us, that's way too dangerous," said Ruby.

"Alvaro can you find the way back home alone?" Travis asked. Alvaro looked at the others. Juanma shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"We'll stay with you. Distraction is good, I can do that. I'm a stranger here. I can say I've lost my way." Said Alvaro

"Alvaro, Ramiro and Isabel would never ..." Zoe got no further, because a shot was fired from the meadow. Clara had immediately ducked, although they were not visible from the meadow. Roberto took her in his arms and said "Shouldn't we at least bring the girls home."

Mia said "I'll stay with Alvaro." and Zoe nodded. Clara swallowed. "I don't want to get away from you either," she said softly.

"So we should think carefully about what we do. I suggest you stay here. One of you goes with me to see how the situation is. Ruby stays with those who stay here."

Everyone nodded and Juanma said "I'll go with you".

He and Travis went to the car. When they got back to where they could see the meadow from above, Travis parked the car behind the trees. The horse catchers had caught around 10 horses in their enclosure and apparently the shot was used to chase the others away. Travis saw that there were three men and two of them now appeared to be walking towards the car. "Then our plan will work, there is only one left."

They drove back to the others.

"Alvaro, there's one man still there, if you leave the pickup on the way where their car was parked you should see him."

"I'll go with you, Mia said

"No way," said Alvaro. "I won't let you go there alone." Mia insisted.

"I'll go with you," said Roberto and Juanma almost simultaneously. Travis looked at the boys. "Juanm, you drive with him. A little further away is a fisherman's hut that belongs to a family near us, say that you are looking for it. Wait 10 minutes for your ride to give us time to get down." Alvaro nodded and he and Juanma got into the car.

Travis said "Mia, Zoe, Clara you stay here with Roberto in Alberto's car. Ruby and I run down under the cover of the trees and bushes, as soon as Juanma and Alvaro talk to the guy, we open the bars."