The Cowboy's Love

One: Meeting the Grifter

Wes pulled his jacket closer together as the chilly november wind began to whip through the small valley he gently rode his horse through. The valley was connected to a small town called Strawberry. At the end of the valley stood a small farmhouse with a bright red barn beside of it. He couldn't help but notice the small herd of cattle in a fence several yards behind the house. Wes eased his horse into a steady trot as he headed towards the homestead.

Laura watched her ten year old son, Caleb, work in the garden from her small kitchen window. She had both hands on her, supporting her growing belly. She smiled slightly as her baby kicked right above her belly button, the sound of horse approaching broke her smile as she grabbed her shotgun beside the stove. She stomped out onto the porch and yelled," Caleb! Caleb, inside Now!" Caleb looked up to his mother to find a frown and his Pa's old shotgun in his hand. He picked up his almost full basket and ran as as he could into the house. Laura cocked the shotgun as the stranger rode up, dismounted his horse. He raised his arms up in surrender and said," Ma'am, I mean no harm. I just want to refill my canteen and I'll be on my way." Laura didn't move her shotgun as she looked over the stranger. No doubt, he was a handsome man with a salt and pepper beard and amber brown eyes. Clearing her throat slightly and said," One condition. You happily turn over any gun or any weapon you got on ya' and you'll have it back when you leave." He slowly pulled out his hunting knife and laid it on the wooden porch in front of him. He smirked and said," That's it ma'am. I don't much believe in guns." She looked in his eyes and a flicker of truth in his brown eyes. She lowered the gun and said," The well spicket is by the barn and when you quench that thirst of yours, you head over to the bath house. You ain't sittin' at my dinner table like that." She squatted and awkwardly picked up the large hunting knife. She began to stand back up but found it alot harder than it used to be. Wes smiled and gently helped her up. She chuckled and said," Thanks-. I never even got your name." He nodded and walked over to his horse taking thd lead rope in his hand. He smirked and said," Weston but I prefer Wes, Miss?" She rubbed her protruding belly as she walked closer to the door. She gave him a small smile and said," Laura."

Caleb peeled potatoes as his mother began kneading biscut dough as a knock came to the door. Wes stood in clean clothes and slightly wet hair. Caleb let him in and quickly got back to peeling potatoes. Laura sent him a smile and said," Take a seat by the fire. Dinner will be ready soon." Wes sat beside of Caleb and saw a large cut running across the palm of his hand. Wes pointed to his hand and said," Get caught in some barbed wire, buddy." Caleb's eye grew as Laura turned to her son. She gently took his hand in her amd inspected the large cut. She frowned and said," Caleb, dear, why didn't you tell me about this. I don't want ya to lose a hand." Caleb looked in lap his mother grabbed a wash cloth and began cleaning his cut. Caleb let out a loud sigh and said," You don't need anymore stress, Ma. Plus I already cleaned it out like Pa taught me." Laura gave a disgusted grimace as Caleb talked about his father. Wes noticed how her demeaner changed when Caleb brought up his father. Laura put the rag down and walked back over to the stove placing the biscuts in the oven. Laura quickly walked out the door and slammed it behind her. Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose and said," What's wrong with me Mr. Wes? I bring him up and I make her even more upset." Wes just patted the boys arm and gave him a sweet smile. Wes looked him in the eye and said," It ain't your fault, kid. Your momma is just going to have to move on."

Wes walked outside to find Laura under a shade tree with her head in hands. Wes slowly walked towards her and sat beside her. He draped a blanket around her shoulder and said," How long ago did he leave?" She lifted her head and said," Seven months ago. Right after we found out we were pregnant." Wes just nodded as looked around the little farm. It was sadly running down and he just couldn't see that happening. He shrugged and said," How about we make a deal, Miss. Laura? You need help around here and I need a place. I'll stay in the loft up in the barn and work around the place. That way your son can be readin' and writing instead of fiddeling with barbed wire. Kinda like a hired hand but you pay me with some meals and a roof over my head. What do ya' think Miss. Laura?" Laura gently rubbed her rounded belly as she thought over his proposal. She nodded and said," I'll agree only if you sleep in the spare bedroom in the house and be there for me when this baby comes." Wes gave Laura a big smile and held out his hand to shake. Wes chuckled and said," We have an accord, Miss Laura." Laura firmly shook his hand and watched him stand. He gave her his hand and said," Come on, we dont want those biscuts burning."

Later that night Caleb had already tucked into bed as Laura and Wes sat by the fire. Laura quietly sewed as Wes seemed to be interested by the fire. Wes couldn't help but watch her fingers worked and sewed one of Caleb's shirts. He bent slightly and rested his elbows on his knees, as his eyes intently watched her fingers. Laura glanced at Wes and said," Wes, you're staring?" Wes quickly sat up and bit his lip slightly. Wes crossed his legs and said," I've never seen someone sew before. I was fascinated." Laura smiled and continued sewing. She looked up to Wes and said," Tell me about yourself, Wes." Wes scoffed and uncrossed his legs. Wes just shrugged and said," Not much to tell. I used to have a dog, named him goose. Poor thing could never walk straight." Laura giggled and shook her head as she set down the newly sewn shirt. She wrapped her hands around her belly as she said," You say there's not much to tell but you were covered in mud and dust when you came rollin' in here. You obviously have been travelin' awhile." Wes just nodded and as he watched her hands gently rub her round belly. Laura winced slightly as the baby kicked her in the ribs. Wes just nodded as he stood and said," I'm off to bed, Miss. Laura. Good night." Laura just nodded and lifted herself awkwardly from her rocking chair. Laura placed her hands on her lower back and said," You sure you don't mind sleepin' with Caleb. I don't mind sleeping with him." Wes waved her off and put a few logs on the fire. Wes Patted her shoulder and said," Like I said earlier, you need your own room. You need all the rest you can get." Laura just nodded and mumbled a quick good night.