My Cowboy

Chapter 9

**Allie**

The drive became rutine for me. I'd wake up in the morning wrapped in Michaels arms. After getting dressed an helping Cook prepare breakfast i'd either saddle Stormy or get the team ready to pull the wagon. Once the men were fed i ate the left over breakfast before doing the dishes and climbing on Stormy or the wagon. When the cattle were being unruly or the way was difficult i'd drive the wagon so the ranch hand with the job of driving the wagon for the day could help out instead.

On calm days i chose to ride Stormy over the bouncy, rough seat of the wagon. We stopped for mid day meal before heading out again and not stopping till an hour before dark to cook supper and give the cattle time to catch up.

Michael had given me a hat to wear and demanded i wear it because the sun was too intense out here. After the first day i was already red from the sun so i agreed.

Night was filled getting to know the men and spending time with Michael. Sometimes we made love, while other times we lay in each other's arms too tired to do anything but sleep.

It was nearly a month before we came to a town just outside of oklahoma territory. Michael chose to camp there for the night to stock up on supplies. He rode beside me while his men staid with the cattle. I wasn't sure if he was planning on getting a motel or coming back to the wagon, but i planned on asking.

"Michael?" I turned to him from Stormy's saddle. "Yes love?"

"Are we getting a room in the hotel or going back to the wagon?" I asked.
"I planned on buying the supplies we needed and heading back tonight. Why?"
"Well.... We've been on the trail for a month now and i was hoping for a proper bath and a warm meal," i said with hope in my voice.

He turned to me and starred for a moment. "I dont see why we cant eat in town after you have a bath at the hotel and i get the supplies. I'll meet at the hotel when i'm done."

I reached out and grabbed his arm making him turn to me. "Thank you," i said with as much sincerity as possible. He smiled, "my pleasure love. I know your not used to this, but i'm proud of how you've handled it. Even when you found out you were eating cow and dear inards in your stew and having to use the bathroom in the open." He started laughing at the memory of my embarrassment the first time i asked where to use the bathroom, and when i'd nearly thrown up after they told me i was eating animal intestines. I still shutter every time i eat the stew, but a meal is better than no meal.

"Stop laughing at me or you'll regret it," i threatened glarring st him. Him chuckled As he looked at me. "What are you gonna do if i don't love?"

"Well i thought you enjoyed our night time together, but if you insist then i guess you can sleep outside," i said nonchallantly. "Okay fine you win," he said pouting cutely. I smiled triumphantly as his eyes narrowed.

He couldnt do anything though, because we were entering a town slightly bigger then my old one. I looked around in curiosity not caring that i probubly looked a grummy dirty mess after the long cattle drive.

Ladies walked by in those puffed out, fancy dresses that i hated. For one all of the lace on the trim got itchy, all of the petticoats required to make the dress flare out so got very hot and HEAVY, and finally many women liked to pad their clothes to fake womanly curves they didnt have making them look more appealing, but falsely so. If a man was going to look at me i wanted him to see me, not what silly clothes made me out to be. Besides those clothes werent practical in a garden or keeping house or working in the shop. I didnt need nor want one.

We were just in front of the shop when i heard the sound of a whip popping over and over. When i looked i felt anger, hot and boiling, rise inside me.