My Cowboy

Chapter 7

**Michael**

I led my wife down the streets heading to her parents house. All of her things had been moved into the cart and taken to meet up with the food wagon. All we had left to do was say goodbye.

I knew this was going to be hard on her. She loved her parents very much, i could see it in her eyes every time they were mentioned and hear it in her voice when she spoke of them. I offered them a place in wyoming but they were adament about staying here. They loved the town and their friends were here. They trusted me to take care of Allie.

She walked quietly beside me with her arm through mine. I could see the sadness start to fill her eyes the closer we got. I held her close as we came up to the door. I knocked softly and it was a moment before the door opened.

Her mom was all smiles with a few tears as she looked at us together. Her father looked pleased but sad as well. They welcomed us in and led us to the dining room. Laid out was full meal of chicken and other side assortments.

We were silent for a while before Mr. Spencer asked, "so Michael, what was my daughter's surprise i heard you talkin about?" "Well sir, she'd spoken to me before of how she'd always wanted a horse but never gotten one. I surprised her today by taking her to choose her own horse, though the one she picked was very unexpected," i said eyeing her. She gave me a sweet smile and i felt my face soften.

"What did she choose? She's always been a great hand with horses," he said smiling at her. I opened my mouth to speak when i was interrupted, "what do you mean she's always been a great hand with horses? Since when has my daughter rode a horse?" Mrs. Spencer did not look very happy as she looked between the guilty looks of her daughter and husband.

"Well dear, i'll explain that later. Michael please continue," Mr. Spencer said pleadingly. I smiled, "she chose a rather unruly stallion that apparantly no other man has been able to ride. She rode him easily though and he never offered to balk or buck."

"Well that sounds like Allie alright," he said smiling at his daughter. She seemed to glow back at him with her smile and i found myself transfixed. It took me a moment to realize he was still talking to me.

"Michael!" He spoke rather loudly and i stiffened. "Ah i see i have your attention," he gave me a knowing smile, "we have a few gifts to give then you can be on your way. I know you have a lot of ground to cover."

I nodded to him not missing Allie's smile falling. My mother-in-law got up from her chair and grabbed a package that was sitting off to the side unnoticed. She handed it to Allie while my father-in-law handed me a smaller box.

I let Allie open hers first. Inside was a quilt made up of small peices of soft fabric all shades of blue and white. It was very beautiful and i watched Allie's eyes fill with tears. She got up quickly and hugged her parents. Her mother had tears in her eyes but she hid it behind a smile.

Her father looked at me expectantly and i opened the box to find a pistol inside. Engraved on the handle was a delicate latticework of swirls and spirals. Inside of that was my name with te delicatest of penmanship. It was amazing!

I looked up at him with shock, "Sir you didnt have to do this!" "Nonsense. You're now my son and my daughter chose you. It's the least i can do." I shook his hand and Allie leaned over to admire my new pistol. After a moment i holstered it putting my old one in my boot before standing up.

"Well it's time we head out," i said giving Allie an appologetic smile. She nodded sadly before hugging her parents tightly. I gave them all the time i could before i pulled Allie away gently tucking her under my arm. I shook her father's hand and hugged her mom before we left.

Outside James sat on his sorrel mare holding my gelding and Allie's Stormy. When he saw her he neighed and his ears perked up. I just shook my head at him. He was a strange horse alright.

She went to him and he stood easily for her to mount. I swung up on my mare and we headed out.

It was obvious Stormy sensed her mood, but instead of walking calmly he pranced and bounced around until i saw her lips begin to pull up into a smile. I felt my heart warm. Though she was sad about leaving her family she looked like she was happy being with me. I hoped so anyway, because i dont know what i'd do if i lost her. She was slowly becoming my whole world.

**Allie**

I followed behind Michael and James as they led the way out of town. My mood had lifted since i got on Stormy and he'd bounced around cheering me up. Michael kept glancing at me and smiling which made me happy.

It was a little while before we climbed a hill to find a giant herd of cattle laid out before us. Men on horses rode easily around them making sure none of them strayed while two wagons were riding off into the distance.

"Why are the wagon's so far ahead?" I asked Michael turning to him. "The wagons are much slower than the cattle. It would be hard to keep the cattle at the wagon's pace, so the wagons head out early and set up for our lunch stop and then stop for the night," he explaind looking at the cattle.

I turned back to them as i felt Stormy's body tense as he gazed down at the cattle. His ears perked up and he began to gently push against the bit letting me know what he wanted.

"Would it be okay if Stormy and i helped with the cattle today?" I asked not looking at Michael. "No," he said bluntly in a no questions voice. My face fell and i felt my heart tighten at his tone, but i also felt my anger rise.

"And why not?" I said in a hard voice. "Because you're not a ranch hand. You have no idea how to work cattle, and your skirts blowing in the wind will scare the cattle. James will take you to the wagons to get you out of the way before coming back to help," he said his voice softer but still hard.

"Don't bother," i said in a hurt, angry voice before kicking Stormy into a lope. I gave the cattle a wide berth and they just looked at me as i rode by.

Yeah i'm new to cattle but that doesnt mean he had to be so rude about it. All he had to do was explain, but no he was a man. They don't explain all they do is give orders and expect you to follow them. Well he was right. I wasn't a ranch hand. 'I'm not going to follow every order he gives me', i promised myself as the wagon got closer and closer.

**Michael**

"Do you mind telling me what i did wrong?" I asked James as i watched my wife ride away. I was glad she knew enough to give the cattle a wide berth. I didnt need a stampede on my hands.

"Women are sensitive creatures that i find dont like being told no. You also sounded like an ass the way you said everything," he said before riding down to the herd and rouding up the men.

Did i really sound that bad? Thinking it over i guess i did. Looks like i had some sucking up to do if i wanted a happy wife in my bed tonight.