Braxton's Run: Cattle, Whiskey and Women

Chapter Thirteen

"I should have been a cowboy. I should have learned to rope and ride. I'd be wearing six shooter riding my pony on a cattle drive... Singing those campfire songs. Oh i should have been a cowboy. I might of had a side kick with a funny name. Running wild through the hills chasing Jesse James. Ending up on the brink of danger. Riding shot gun for the texas rangers. Go west young man haven't you been told, Californias full of whiskey, woman and gold. Sleeping out all night beneath the desert stars. A dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart." Toby Kieth 'Should've been a cowboy'

"You want me to what?" Braxton demanded of his brother, convinced that at some point Brandon had been killed and an imposter had returned in his place.

"Look, pa is too sick, Bradley's throwing a bitch fit and I have to stay to run the business end so you are the only McAvery left to go."

"So you're desperate." Braxton asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the livery wall. He'd been putting away his and Laura's horses after a short ride when Brandon had found him. Laura had gone to the hotel to freshen up before Braxton had realized his brother was around.

"No I'm not desperate. If it was desperation then I would just let Trace handle the drive." Brandon replied and Braxton raised a brow.

"So why don't you? You all have never once asked me to help out with a cattle drive before." Brandon let out a sigh and lit a rolled cigarette.

"Look Braxton, I'm sorry for how I always treated you, okay? I was an ass and a jerk and you have every right in the world to hate me but I'm trying now. I stood up to ma and pa and told them I think you'd be a good man from the job. Did I piss them off for no reason or are you gonna take the job?"

Braxton squinted off into the distance for several long minutes. He wasn't sure what to say to his brother. Brandon's last words had been the kindest he had ever spoken to Braxton. All these years of wishing that someone in his family would give him a chance and Braxton would had never imagined it would be Brandon that did so.

"I don't know…." Braxton said uncertainly. What if this was just one more thing he would screw up? One more thing for his family to hold over his head? And did he really care what they thought anymore? He had no reason to help Brandon or anyone else in his family. Not a single one of those people had ever done anything for him….. Then he remembered how Brandon had believed in him when Maynard had accused him of trying to rape Laura…. He did owe his brother one.

"Come on Braxton, you've done drives with other ranches haven't you?"

"Yeah." Braxton replied as he scratched at his arm.

"This won't be much different. I just need someone with the McAvery name to be along and lead everyone and I have no doubt that you can do it." Brandon said. That was a bit of a lie, he did have a few doubts but he wasn't going to voice them out loud. He was determined to give Braxton a chance. "It'll take you about a month to get the cattle up to Dodge City. Trace and a couple of the other hands have made the trip several times so if you ever have questions over the best route to take you can ask them."

Braxton squinted up into the hot Texas sun. One month to Dodge and probably a good two weeks back. Did he really want to be away from Laura for six weeks just to prove something to his brother?

"All right. I'll do it." Brandon let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, you need to get out to the ranch though. We have a lot to get ready and you all need to head out within the next three days."

"Let me go tell Laura and I'll be out there." he replied. He started to walk away and Brandon called out to him.

"Thanks." he said. "You don't owe any of us a damn thing so… thanks." Braxton just nodded and walked away.