Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

38

"You boys looking for some company!?" Tina shouts leaning half her body out of Jan's tuck as it comes rumbling up to the camp. Mags sticks her head out the back window too, "I hear there is a new rancher in town!" she shouts. Jack and Ace stand and run off to the truck pulling the girls out and kissing them. Evelyn stands and smiles as she watches them until the boys put them down then they go running to Evelyn with open arms, scooping her up and cuddling her as she giggles. It amazes Hazel how Evelyn is so grown up but then still just a kid. "I heard you are shaping up to be the best rancher in Utah, miss Evelyn," Mags says. "I just want to be as good as my dad," Evelyn says. "Well you are way cuter than him so that's a start," Tina says kissing the tip of her nose. "I smell better too," Evelyn says and then the three of them howl with laughter. Hazel turns to look at Austin how has bowed his shaking head as he tries to suppress his laugh.

They finally put Evelyn down and she walks back to her father and curls up on his lap. She has had a long day, Hazel is surprised that she is still awake. "I am proud of you, my heart. You did well today," he whispers down to her. She lifts her hand and pats his cheek then curls up again and Hazel is sure she is asleep before Hazel blinks again. Austin looks at Hazel out the corner of his eye then winks at her."And you ain't dead," Tina says sitting down next to Hazel. "So? How was it?" Mags asks sitting down across the fire next to Ace. "I can't use my arms or my legs, but my heart is still beating...I think," Hazel says. "She did good," Austin says. Mags and Tina both let out exaggerated "Ooooh's" and then giggle. They are both happy gils - Hazel likes them. "Are you going to just leave me to carry the beers?" Jan complains walking into the camp. All the cowboys turn to look at Austin. He looks back at them then flicks his head. Tina and Mags applaud as Josh and Ellis jump up and walk off to Jans truck.

"Austin runs a tight ship when they are moving the cattle, The old grump," Tina says and bumps shoulders with Hazel. "I am the same age as you, Tina," Austin says. "Exactly. All that thinking and brooding has aged you while I am fresh-faced and free," Tina says. Austin rolls his eyes but smiles fondly at her. Josh and Ellis come back with the beers and hand them out to everyone. Soon the guitars appear and that country music starts up again. Hazel wants to join in with the laughing and chatting. She wants to sway to the music and enjoy the night sky but her body is drained and the beer only helps in making her eyes heavy. "You fallin' asleep on me, Darlin'," Austin asks. Hazel nods and takes another sip of her beer. "Sleep. Ain't no one going to judge you after the day we heard you had," Tina says smiling at her. "What did you hear?" Hazel asks, curious. "Only that you got heart...and a hat," Tina whispers grinning and wriggling her eyebrows. Hazel turns red and covers her face with her hands. "Is nothing sacred in this dam place?" she groans. Tina lets out a giggle and bumps shoulders again with her. "I like you, miss Hazel and I am glad I am not the only one," she says flicking her head for Hazel to look behind her. Hazel turns and sees Austin walking away with Evelyn in his arms. When he gets to the other side of the fire he stops and looks back at Hazel, flicking his head for her to follow him. Tina takes her beer, "Goodnight...a rancher's girl sleeps by her rancher," she says.

Hazel stands and follows Austin. He walks some distance from the fire so their laughing and singing sounds like a distant hum. Austin places Evelyn in Zip's neck and tucks a blanket around her. Hazel sits down on the bed and removes her boots then burrows into the blankets. She falls asleep just as she feels Austin lie down and press himself against her back.

The following morning Hazel wakes and feels Austin still pressed to her back, but she also feels little arms around her neck and her mouth is full of hair. She looks down and sees that Evelyn has moved away from Zip and is snuggled up to her. "She has taken to you, darlin'," Austin says from behind her. "I believe I am a forgivin' man...but you hurt my daughter and forgivin' would be hard to come by," Austin adds. Hazel's stomach churns and she holds Evelyn tighter. That's the last thing she ever wants to do - hurting Evelyn would kill her. She will never tell them. It's settled - she will die with the lie she came here on. She is a bad person but maybe if she does enough good it will cancel out her lies. That sounds like a good solid plan...right? Right? She will ignore her stress for now - also a good solid plan. "Those cows...the ones you...you know. What did you whisper to them?" she asks. She feels Austin shift and then his lips are on her ear, goosebumps form where his breath hits.

"Thank you. This ranch was built from the beating of your heart. I hope I have served you well as you did me. I remember the day you joined this ranch and I shall remember the day you left, now feed my land and I will tend to your kin till the day I am laid to rest under the old oak down by the winding river."