Trouble X Two

Chapter:2

Supper time was definitely interesting. Annie invited the twins to supper to get to know them better. I already got my answer to how hard they can work. One sat next to me at the six person table while his twin sat across from him. "So which is which?" Annie asked.

"Kent." The one next to Annie said. "So Eli is sitting next to Jo." She said. "Yes ma'am." Eli said. He had a higher pitch in his voice than Kent. We ate in near silence with Annie asking most of the questions. "I think Jo and I will need another shower before bed." James said trying to lighten the mood. "After delivering that breech baby, I would say so." I said to him.

I finished my plate, getting up and rinsing my plate good before going to my room to get some clothes for a shower. I got a shower rinsing the tension out of my muscles before getting out, into some basketball shorts and a tank before going to bed. I crashed hard as soon as my head hit the pillow.

When my alarm went off I was getting up out of bed and into some jeans. I'll be out with the cattle all day long today. Also checking for holes in the fence. I put my gun holster on my belt before making sure my handgun was loaded as well as on safety for now. I went downstairs with my phone in hand making my way to the kitchen.

"Going our to watch the herd?" James asked as he was sitting at the table. "Yup." I answered. "Mind if the twins help you bring the cattle up after they clean stalls?" He asked. "Nah. Which geldings did they choose?" I asked. "Mickey and Donald." He said. "His grandkids named those two." I said. "They're perfect for greenhands." James said.

The front door opened then closed. "There they are for breakfast." James said. I snagged a muffin off of the plate before going out the back door. I could see James shaking his head. I went out the side gate leaving it open for the dogs to roam before going to the tack room. I made sure I had plenty of ammunition just in case, water bottles, a slicker, a flashlight, and the walkie talkie I always have with me out near the cattle.

I put it on my saddle before going to get Sandy. He was excited to see me. I brushed him down before putting his bridle on. Then put the blanket in before the actual saddle. I fixed the girth and cinch. Then made sure nothing was in his hooves. The twins came in shortly. I tied my horse up to the ring next to his stall as I decided to go to my office to grab one more thing.

As I came out the twins were finishing up the last two stalls. I pulled Mickey and Donald out of their stalls, brushing them down. I glanced around again seeing the two bringing Mickey and Donald's saddles. I finished up with brushing the geldings down before going to put the brushes up.

I went back with a hoof pick cleaning the hunk out of their hooves. Donald is more hoofshy than anything. Every time I go to clean his hooves, I'm always checking for thrush. He tries to knock me down, get me off balance, there has to be something wrong that I'm not seeing. His back right hoof was the one he was trying to kick me with today.

I finally sat down holding his hoof against my body checking it thoroughly. He tried to put it down when I found a tender spot. I rubbed along his hide leg checking for more tenderness. He flicked his tail. "Anything wrong with him?" James asked coming in. "Tender spot in his right hind hoof. I knew something was up with his hoof." I said.

"So he can't be ridden today." James said. "Fraid not. The stallion is my best bet today, unless I went to look at the stockyards to see if they have a gelding they want to sell for anything." I said. "I'd go tomorrow and get at least two to three good geldings that we can ranch train." James said.

I stood up. "Unsaddle Donald. Ride my gelding today." I told whichever twin was holding him. I then went to get the stallion ready. He was super excited to get out and be ridden. I had to ride him several feet and back before we could go. I let him run ahead to get some of his energy out. Once he was calm I led the way out to the herd.

I counted the number of dropped calves while keeping an eye out for the bull. When I was done counting, I got a minus one not counting the bull. One is out calving. I watched as both twins let the horses work while they just rode. Mickey and Sandy knew what to do. I started pushing the herd up. Mickey got up to one side while Sandy on the other. The lead cow went straight ahead. I found the last cow meandering back with a brand new calf. I got her and the calf back to the herd.

The bull followed lumbering behind me. Once up, I dismounted tying the stallion to the fence and went through the cows. James came through with bags of cake. As they were eating I counted more thoroughly before closing the gates up. Another day. There is another tomorrow. Every day life on the ranch. Take care of the livestock, make sure we have everything ready for tomorrow, eat, shower, go to bed, do it again tomorrow and hope there are no problems.

Before going for supper, I hooked my truck up to the gooseneck and made sure it was cleaned out. I've got room for three more horses in the barn. I've been wanting to get a few new beauties for the ranch.