Cowboys and Mustangs

Branding- Codi

Mom, Zona, and I all scramble around the kitchen as we try to make the huge breakfast/lunch for the expected cowboy posse about to come from the pasture after they gather all the cattle from the fields. My family and other people around here are helping Weston's family brand today and I couldn't be more excited. I loved branding day; a day full of team work with family and close friends, cow horses, cussing, laughing, being ranchy, and the meals during it.

I was in charge of making the coffee and making my famous blackberry-cinnamon-roll hot dish. It was so simple to make but I guess people like the syrup I mix in there. All it consists of is cutting up the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, put them inside a crock pot, cut up blackberries and gently mush them together, add maple syrup, and cook them while occasionally spreading the delicious icing over top and in the mixture. It's a sweet and delicious meal to balance out the meats used during breakfast.

Weston's mom, Zona, was in charge of the bacon and the pancakes as my mom made a variety of omelets. We also had fresh fruit, deer sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, and I think someone else is picking up donuts too. We take our meals serious in the ranching life.

I helped my mom with the omelets but turned my head when I hear the porch door open. In comes Reynah Sulfur and her three kids, who I absolutely adore. Reynah was Weston's cousin and I met her and her husband a few times before. "Hi Reynah." I greet her as I immediately begin to chase around her oldest boy, who thinks I'm his girlfriend. "Come here stinker." I say as I chase him around the living room couch, catching him and tickling his tummy as he laughs loudly.

"Codi play with me!" The oldest girl, Zoey, says to me as I let Connor go.

"Do you wanna help with breakfast?" I ask her and she nods. I lift her up and carry her into the kitchen, keeping her on my hip as I check on my hot dish. I lift up the lid and up comes the sweet scent of berry and the icing, "Hmm smells good doesn't it?" I ask Zoey and she nods along.

Just as I put down the lid, the door opens to reveal cowboy hats and aged men as I call them. "Boots on the porch!" Zona orders right away making me chuckle as all the men mutter 'sorry ma'am'. They all come back and say a quick greeting to us, 'Mornin' gals', then they start to crowd the extended dining table with not much elbow room.

I let Zoey down from my arms because she wanted to say hi to her dad which I thought was precious. Speaking of cute, Weston was looking cute as hell today but when doesn't he? Usually, when he walks in he always looks for me, but this time he walked straight in then sat down to claim his spot by putting his hat on the chair.

Soon all the men line up to receive their breakfast, having a variety of delicious options. Whatever they want, us girls put on their plate with a smile. "You better eat what your woman made, son." Jack says to Weston as they come up, "Learned that lesson a long time ago." Weston gives me a special smirk as we make eye contact for the first time today. Good lord he still gives me butterflies.

"Well I smell blackberries so I know who made this." Weston says as he dishes some of the hot dish.

"How'd it go?" I ask him since he was the last in line.

Weston discretely looks around him, "You mean with Austin or the cattle?"

I hadn't thought my jackass of a brother but since he brought it up I had to ask, "Was there a problem?" I didn't want there to be, but I was just making sure.

"Nope, everything went good." He says shortly as he dishes more, making me perk an eyebrow but he says nothing else.. okay?

"Great." I softly smile as I pick up the coffee pot and begin making rounds at the table. Most of the cowboys wanted coffee so I was quite popular, but then I got to my three brothers. I poured some in Wyatt's and then I started to pour in Austin's cup, "I didn't say I wanted that." Austin barks at me.