The Wandering One

Chapter 14

Terrin woke the next morning, feeling more rested than she had in the last two weeks. She smiled to herself as she got dressed in her gray trousers and a black shirt. When she sat down to breakfast, she realized just how hungry she was. She had been living off of the broth she had been feeding to the sick Paiutes. She hadn't had any time to cook anything more for herself. Hop Sing had prepared a huge spread of all of Terrin's favourite breakfast foods that she was more than happy to dig in to. Ben and the boys chuckled, half in relief, and Little Joe piped up as she went for a second helping, "Gee Terrin you're givin' ole Hoss a run for his money!"

Terrin grinned sheepishly, and apologized, to which Ben gave a stern look at Little Joe.

"Nonsense, you eat as much as you can stomach. You've earned it and I'd be willing to bet you haven't eaten a single proper meal in the last two weeks."

"Terrin," inquired Adam, "What exactly did you eat while you were quarantined?"

Terrin lowered her fork mid bite and answered sheepishly, "Broth."

Hoss dropped his fork, "Surely you ate more than just that! You mean to say you didn't have no meat nor bread? Nuthin' but broth?"

Terrin nodded. "Didn't have time to make anything else or even time to eat it. I'm fine though. Broth is very healthy."

The men decided to drop the matter and Ben got down to the business of the day. "Alright boys, we've got work to do today, Adam and Joe, I want you two to go and check the herd in the south, check the fences while you're out that way. Hoss, we have some late calves that still need branding. Take a few hands and start on that please." Everyone nodded and set off to get ready.

Hoss was saddling Chubb when Terrin emerged from the house and whistled for Lash. As she began bridling him, Hoss asked, "Where are you off to? SHouldn't you be restin'?"

"Nonsense. I've slept a day and a half. I couldn't rest more if I tried. I'll help you with the calves."

"But Terrin, that's a man's work. You ain't gotta do that."

"Hoss, I have worked for many different ranchers in my short lifetime and have branded more calves than you can shake a stick at. If I'm going to stay here, I'm going to earn my keep."

Hoss gave up on arguing with the headstrong young woman and mounted up. Terrin swung onto Lash's back with ease and followed Hoss out to the holding pen they'd be working at. When they arrived, Terrin jumped right in to the work, eventually the two got a feel for working together with the hands and by suppertime they had accomplished a lot. As they rode back to the house, Hoss marveled at how good Terrin had been at handling the calves.

At supper that night, he told the others all about how Terrin had helped out and Ben spoke, "Terrin, please don't feel that you have to work the cattle like the boys. Surely there's something else you'd rather do?"

Terrin chuckled. "Don't you go worrying about me. I've been working cattle for the last four years of my life. I also wrangle, and I aint about to sit around on my backside and do nothing all day and eat your food. I'll earn my keep, just like your boys. And before you suggest it, I would much rather be out working cattle and mending fences than helping in the kitchen every day."

Ben sighed in resignation. "Fine. I know when I'm losing an argument, but don't you go pushing yourself too hard and making yourself sick, you hear?"

Terrin happily nodded and caught Adam's eye, causing him to grin as well.

The next day, Terrin and Adam set off on a supply run to Virginia City. Adam took the wagon and Terrin accompanied him on Lash. As they rode, Adam struck up a conversation with her.

"Do you know how to shoot?"

"Yes, I know how. Used to have a nice gun too, but those two good for nothin' men took it when they captured me. Why?"

"Well if you're going to ride out with us to work the cattle, we sometimes run into trouble."

From there the conversation turned to the kind of ranch work that Terrin had done and then to Adam's years at school. Before they knew it, they had arrived at Virginia City and stopped at the general store. Adam and Terrin went in to pick up the order and had it all packed away in the wagon within a half hour. Then Terrin asked Adam if it would be alright if they visited another store before heading back. Adam agreed and followed Terrin. Fifteen minutes later, Terrin walked out of the store carrying a saddle blanket and saddlebags, while Adam carried her new saddle.

Terrin had Adam place the new saddle in the wagon and mounted Lash, perching comfortably on her blanket she had purchased from Pohamas. Her wad of money had shrunk considerably today, but it was worth it in her eyes. She was slowly building a life for herself, with the help of the Cartwrights. Even the looks the townspeople had given her today were less severe and judgemental, and far more curious.

Adam pulled her from her thoughts, "Let's go home Little Sister."

Terrin grinned like a fool. He had called her little sister! She had always wanted brothers, and now it appeared she had one. As they made their way home, Adam regaled her with tales of his and his brothers' antics and escapades.

Adam smiled as he saw her smirk at his latest tale of Joe and Hoss practicing bullfighting in the house. It was like the shroud of heavy sorrow was slowly peeling back, allowing her to have glimpses of happiness. Ever since the typhoid epidemic with the Paiutes, she carried herself with more of a quiet strength, with purpose. It made him happy. She also let them touch her now. Sometimes she still flinched at sudden movements or if she wasn't expecting to be touched, but he could see how hard she was trying to get better, and he was determined to help in any way he could.

When the two arrived back at the house, they had about an hour before supper. Terrin made use of this time by helping Hop Sing and Adam unload the wagon, and then adjusting her new saddle so it fit Lash perfectly. She was riding him around the courtyard, getting him used to wearing a saddle again when Hoss, Joe, and Ben rode in for supper. They watched for a few minutes as Terrin worked Lash through a few figure eights, using only leg pressure to guide him. She eventually noticed their arrival and stopped, dismounting.

"That's a mighty fine saddle there." remarked Ben. "Have you ridden Lash with a saddle before?"

Terrin nodded, "It's just been a good long while. My saddle was stolen about six months ago, I didn't replace it until now since I didn't really need one if all I was doing was trapping and bringing furs to town."

Ben nodded and as they both untacked their horses, he showed Terrin where she could store her saddle. Then they all went inside for a wonderful supper of roast duck.