The Wandering One

Chapter 15

The next day, Terrin rode with Hoss to check on some cattle and get Lash, and herself, used to a saddle again. She and Hoss spent their work day talking about animals and the tips and tricks they had both picked up over the years. This led to Terrin telling Hoss the story of how she met Lash.

"It had been raining for a week and I was in between jobs at the time. The horse I had then, was quite old, and I knew he didn't have more than a year left in him. So I made inquiries at a few livery stables, to see if they had a good horse that I could afford. None did, the ones that I could afford were sick, or just as old as Blue, who I wanted to replace.

I eventually gave up and rode back out to my campsite. It was a good half day's ride from that town. I got to camp, soaking wet, only to find a fair sized mountain lion stepping over my bedroll. It had something cornered and pounced. It was a mare and a foal and a yearling. I quickly grabbed my pistol and shot the cat, but unfortunately the mare had already been wounded really badly. So I patched her up best I could and then buried the body the next morning. The yearling was Lash. He was so spooked, it took me a week to actually win him over enough to touch him.

I worked with him for a year, training him, but also letting him be wild. Eventually, he let me ride him. Blue died shortly after, and Lash and I continued on. He's stuck with me ever since."

Hoss smiled at the story and at the special bond the two shared. He greatly enjoyed having someone around who loved animals and caring for them as much as he did. He watched as Terrin suddenly wheeled Lash around and went to round up a cow that had separated from the herd. The pair worked together seamlessly and had accomplished their task effortlessly. Terrin rode back over to Hoss with a grin stretched across her face.

"I forgot how much I enjoy working cattle."

Hoss grinned back at her and they continued to swap animal stories as they worked the rest of the day.

That evening, after supper, Adam and Terrin sat by the fireplace and Adam read aloud to her. Terrin soaked in the warmth from the fire and the smooth sound of Adam's voice. Eventually the other three Cartwright men came and joined them, also listening to the story Adam was reading. As they all lounged around, Terrin looked at them and realized just how attached she had become to this family. They had taken her in, been incredibly patient and understanding. They invited her to be a part of their family with no payment or ulterior motive. It baffled Terrin. It was all so new and a bit scary, while also being exciting and comforting. Terrin smiled to herself, even if this didn't last and they grew tired of her, this in this moment, was truly wonderful.

Adam eventually stopped his reading, and after a bit of chatting about the next day, everyone started to wander off to their respective rooms to sleep.Terrin climbed into her bed and fell asleep with a small contented smile on her face.

Terrin awoke with a start and looked around her in a panic, something wasn't right. SOmething had woken her. She gave herself a brief moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness and climbed out of bed, quickly throwing on her robe. As she did so, she noticed the sound of Lash's snorting and whinnying. Terrin ran out of her room and grabbed a rifle from the study on her way out the door. She quickly followed the sound Lash was making to the barn where she found two men attempting to steal Buck and Sport. Terrin cocked the rifle and aimed, letting her voice fill the air of the barn.

"Put your hands where I can see them or I'll fill you so full of lead that you'll be better suited to being a paperweight."

The two men froze and slowly turned towards her. Terrin sent them her most intimidating glare and barked out her next instructions.

"You with the red hair, move real slow and tie up your buddy there. No funny business."

The man complied, but when he thought he had a chance, he lunged towards Terrin. She quickly fired the rifle and the bullet sent a puff of dust up by his toes. "The next one goes in your leg. Now finish tying your partner up."

As he finished obeying Terrin's instructions, Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Joe all came running into the barn, revolvers in hand and bathrobes flapping as they ran. Joe and Hoss quickly tied up the red headed thief and then they checked his partners ropes and tightened the knots. Ben took over from Terrin and started questioning the two while Adam gently grabbed Terrin and checked her over for injuries worriedly.

"I'm fine Adam," Terrin chuckled. "They didn't even touch me."

Adam nodded in relief and gave Terrin a quick, tight hug. Joe ran back past the two to change and then rode to get the sheriff.

An hour and a half later, Joe and the sheriff arrived back at the Ponderosa where he quickly got the story of what happened from all involved. After hearing about Terrin's actions, his eyebrows rose in surprise and he smiled at her.

"Well ma'am, I have some good news for you. I already talked to Ben, and he stubbornly insisted that you were solely responsible for the capture of these two, so if you'll come by my office tomorrow, I'll give you the reward." he stated. Terrin looked at him, confusion evident on her face.

"What reward sir?"

The sheriff chuckled. "These two paticular horse thieves are wanted and have a reward out for their capture, and since you captured them, you get the reward."

After securing the two thieves to their own worn horses, the sheriff bid the Cartwright's and Terrin a good night and set off back to town. After checking that the horses were alright and settled down, they all slowly made their way back into the house and back to their beds. Each of the Cartwright men gave Terrin a hug and praised her for her quick thinking and actions. Adam hugged her the longest and promised to ride into town with her in the morning to pick up her reward. With that all returned to their respective beds and fell asleep once more.

Terrin found herself restless the rest of the night, tossing and turning for an hour before she got out of bed and got herself dressed. She quietly made her way to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee before walkin out to the barn again. She found Lash inside in the stall Hoss had prepared for him. Lash had adjusted well and enjoyed his spacious stall. He had learned quickly that although he couldn't roam quite as freely, the stall came with oats each morning and hay delivered as well.

Terrin entered his stall with her cup of coffee and sat down in the straw next to him, using him as a backrest to lean on. As she sipped her coffee, she began talking to him, processing her thoughts out loud and just enjoying his company as he dozed contentedly.