The Taylor Ranch

Part 1

“Good morning.”
Charlie looked up, seeing the cowboy standing at the end of her cabin’s porch.
“Hi.” She smiled, closing her book.
“I was wondering if you would like to go for a ride with me.”
Charlie looked at the handsome man standing there in his denim shirt and black cowboy hat. He was smooth.
“Sure, why not.” She smiled. She was technically on vacation.
She walked with him over to the stables. Jarrod saddled up a horse for her and readied his own. She had been on a horse a couple of times, but that was before they moved to the city millions of years ago.

They had been on a casual stroll when there was a gunshot out of nowhere.
“Oh my god!”
Her horse reared up and bolted. Looking back, Jarrod was trying to catch up. Charlie held on tight as the horse just ran for its life.

Alexandra got out of the Ute, noticing the blonde racing across the paddock.
“Is that Kobi?” Dean, the stable hand, looked up.
“Yeah, it is, boss.” Alexandra looked ahead of them. Kobi was heading straight towards the old wooden gate.
“Quick, call the vet!” She jumped over the fence into the paddock. Her brother was too far behind.

Charlie looked up seeing the cowboy running across the field.
“Jump!” Alexandra yelled out.
Charlie looked at the fence coming closer.
“Trust me, you’ve gotta jump!” Alexandra ran towards them, waving her arms.
“Jump, I’ll catch you!” Feeling the fear, Charlie let go of the reins, free-falling into the arms that caught her. They rolled a couple of times before they came to a stop.
Opening her eyes, she leaned up and moved the hat from over the cowboy’s face.
Alexandra opened her eyes, and it took her a moment to focus on the brown eyes staring back at her.
“Hi.” Charlie smiled, taking in her features. She looked like Jarrod, only prettier. She felt her tense noticing and the instant frown between her eyes.
“Oh, are you ok? Did I hurt you?”
“Do you mind just...”
“Oh, sorry,” She started to get up. “I’m Charlie, by the way; actually, Charlene, but my friends call me Charlie.”
She could see the pain growing on the Cowgirls’ face.
“Wanna know why they call me Charlie?” She smiled, hoping to distract her a little from her pain.
Alexandra blew out a breath feeling the burning sensation in her arm. “Sure.”
“cause I bite like a Charlie horse. prrff.”

Alexandra laughed. “Ouch.” She continued holding her arm tight against her side. She looked up at this woman, just smiling down at her.
   “Alex.” She put her other hand out. “I work here.”

“No, she owns the place.” Jarrod offered his hand out, seeing his sister in pain. He helped her to her feet.
“What the hell were you doing?” She growled.
“Just showing Charlie here around the Ranch.” He smiled at the pretty city girl he had been eyeing since yesterday. He met Alexandra’s not-such-an-impressed look.
“Kobi!” She turned, calling the stomping horse and making her way across the paddock.
They followed, trying to catch up to the cowgirls’ stride.
“Is she mad at you?” Charlie quickly asked, taking a look at Jarrod beside her wiping down his hat.
“A little, Kobi’s a bit...”
“He’s not ready for riding yet.” Alexandra glared at her brother as she put her hand out to the horse, huffing at her.
“Sorry, ma’am, my reckless brother could have got you seriously hurt. I take full responsibility for the animals on the Ranch. If you wish to lay a complaint, you are welcome to do so.” Charlie watched her brush her hand up the horse’s nose, calming him down and herself.
She sighed at her loyalty.
“Truly, I’m fine, I am.”
“Hey, Docs here,” Jarrod interrupted. “You should get him to check you over.”
Alexandra exhaled, trying to relax her shoulder. Charlie moved out of the way behind the broken fence, watching the cowgirl walk the young horse in a circle. The Doc came up beside her and gave her a treat which she put in the horse’s mouth. He ran his hand down Kobi’s legs a couple of times.
“Is he alright, Doc?”
Ted looked up at her noticing her holding her arm tightly against her side. 
“Yeah, looks like it. You, on the other hand...”
“I’m fine.”
He stopped in front of Alexandra and rolled his eyes as he ran his hand over her shoulder and collarbone.
“Broken again?”
Alexandra shook her head but flinched a couple of times when he hit the spot.
“Put that sling back on for the next few days, alright? That’s if you’ve still got it?”
His eyes fell on the pretty young woman watching them from the fence.
“Hmm.” He smiled, giving her a little nod. “Make sure this one does as she’s told. She’s the stubborn one.”
The flush crept across Alexandra’s cheeks. He gave her a wink as he took the reins from her hands.
She turned and looked at Jarrod.
“So where is everyone anyway?”
“Oh, they’re all down at the river learning to fish; I didn’t feel like it,” Charlie answered, casually stepping around the fence and joining them.
Alexandra sighed, she gave up. Her baby brother was so unprofessional when it came to pretty paying guests. Picking up her hat, she turned her attention to their paycheque.
“I’m sorry again, Miss...” They began to walk back.
“It’s ok. I guess that was my bit of excitement for the day.” Alexandra looked at her in her light-hearted mood. She relaxed.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re ok.” She wet her lip, kind of enjoying this woman’s company. “Um, so if there is anything you or you’re...daughter?”
“My son Aiden.” They stopped outside the main house.
“Aiden. Well, if there is anything Aiden or even yourself, if you want to do or see something around the Ranch that takes your interest over the next few days, just come find me, ok.”
“I will.” Charlie smiled at her, causing Alexandra to laugh to herself.
“Ok, good. I want you to enjoy your stay.” They looked at each other for a moment. “Ahh, I better go and...” Alexandra pointed to the house.
“Yeah, sure; oh, you need any help?”
“No, no,” Alexandra smiled, tilting her hat and heading off. “I’m ok. Enjoy the rest of your day, ma’am.”
“Charlie.” Charlie smiled at her again. Alexandra turned around, giving her a nod and tilted her hat again.
“Charlie.”