The Rogue Mate

Chapter Four.

“Seriously!” I said in frustration as the horse once again took one look at Chev, nostrils flaring, before tucking tail and running; this was the seventh horse this month!

“They sense I’m a predator.” He said, watching as the horse slid to a stop in front of the coral fence, eyes wide with fright.

I pursed my lips and began walking towards the horse. “Well we’re just going to have to train him to be around you because we always have and always will, use horses here.” Some of the terrain was inaccessible to vehicles and although there were vet and farrier costs, horses were the most effective way to get around the ranch, plus I’m pretty sure Chev didn’t have a license or any idea how to drive; cars hadn’t been around in his time.

“You do realise that the all the animals here are going to react the same way?”

“Even dogs?” I didn’t have any yet but I’d made an appointment with a cattle dog breeder a few hours from here and was planning on buying a few from them. He nodded and I sighed. “You’ll be coming with me to get some cattle pups then so we can get them acclimated to you.”

I was determined to make this work. He’d been a massive help in the month and a half he’d been working at the ranch; fixing fences with ease, clearing the weed infested paddocks, feeding and watering the animals, mucking out the barns, fixing up the bore drains and cutting, baling and stacking the hay.

It meant that I had a little more time to handle the business side of things and we’d already had three ranchers from out of state purchase cattle and our stock horse breeding operation would be up and running again once breeding season came. I was planning on building another barn and opening it for boarders to ensure that the ranch had a constant source of income and plans for a new hand quarters were being drawn up. Now that Double T was back in business, I knew that Pine Hills would struggle and if it was put on the market I would be there to buy them out.

But three people couldn’t handle such a big ranch; we couldn’t keep this pace up forever.

Today was going to be spent looking for more men and women to help out, then we’d probably check out the dogs and stock up on medical supplies.

“Go get ready to go into town; I’ll put him away and meet you at the truck. Could you remind Ernest we’ll be going in an hour?” Sometimes he could be a bit forgetful, though he was around sixty he still insisted on working. He got on well with Chev and when I found more help I was planning on giving him a slice of land and building him a cottage in reward for all the years he’d given to my uncle and for watching over the ranch after his death; he didn’t know it yet though.

“Sure thing.” He walked away as I caught the horse and returned him to his stall, giving him a fresh biscuit of hay and topping up his water.

-

“You need to re-join the community; if you’re trying to get more hands you should talk to some of the other ranchers, I’m sure they have turned a few men down and could point them your way.” Ernest said as we stared at the open doors of the church. In our small town, everyone attended every Sunday.

I wanted to say no but I knew that he had a point and if I wanted to make life a bit easier for myself, I should at least try. “Let’s go then.”

Chev followed us inside and ignoring the many looks we received, ducked into the nearest pew at the back of the building. I could feel the stares of many of the townsfolk as the minster began his sermon and soon everyone was focused on the service, rather than me.

My mind wandered throughout the long service and when Chev squeezed my knee I jolted forwards. I looked at him questioningly and he nodded towards the front where the minister was now mingling through the crowd; the service was over.