The Taylor Ranch

part 3

‘Crack!’
“Oh my god!” Someone screamed.
Alexandra smiled at the shock on their faces.
“Can anyone tell me what this is?”
“A whip!”
“Yes, that’s correct.” She held out it out. “This is a seven-foot single-tailed bullwhip made of braided leather.” She stepped back, letting it kiss the ground. “Traditionally used to control livestock but also used for competition.” She moved back, holding the grip in her right hand. She paused for a moment passing the whip to one of the girls. “Can you hold this for me?”
Charlie shook her head, watching her take that damn sling off again.
Rolling the grip in her hand a couple of times, she stepped forward, flicking her wrist, and the whip flew past, cracking in the air before them.
“The cattlemen’s crack.”
She took it over her head.
“The overhead.”
“Reverse direction overhead crack.”
“The volley.” It cracked fast in front of her.
“The overhead flick.”
“Figure eight.”
Singles Doubles, the cracks echoing throughout the valley.
Charlie moved closer, wanting to watch her.
She was a real sight.
When she finished, everyone cheered and clapped. She bowed.
“Oops, I’m in trouble.”
Charlie stopped beside her with the sling.
“Yes, you are,” She growled.
Alexandra stood up.
“It’s feeling better, though.” She let her slip it over her arm.
“I don’t care. He told me you had to wear it for a few days; It’s not a few days.”
“Close enough.”
“And that you were stubborn.”
“Hmm.” She forced a smile turning back to her young student twirling the end of the whip around.
“You alright now, you got it?” He nodded. Sticking out his tongue, he put his arm back and flicked the whip. ‘Crack’.
“Yeah, good work.” Alexandra turned to Charlie, who was casually looking her over.
“That was pretty impressive, cowboy.”
“Thanks,” They began to walk. “It felt good. I was a junior champ for ages. Still gives me a thrill.”
“I’m no good at stuff like that.”
“I’m sure if you tried...wait.” Alexandra went over and brought back a whip. “This is a six-foot, easy beginner.”
Charlie shook her head.
“Nah, ah, everyone’s watching.”
“Who’s watching?”Alexandra looked around, handing her the grip. “No one’s watching us here.” She came behind her and held her hand with the whip.
“Hold it tight; you got it.” She said against her ear. All Charlie could smell was her leather.
“Loosen your wrist and flick it like that. Ready?” Alexandra brought their hands back and let the whip roll forward and flick, letting it crack.
Charlie jumped.
“You got it. Turn this hip a little.” Alexandra moved their hands again. ‘Crack.’ “See, you are a natural.” Goosebumps went up to Charlie’s neck as her tone vibrated through her ear.
“No one’s looking,” Alexandra whispered and moved away. Wetting her lip, Charlie moved like she just had.
‘Crack’,
It came back over.
‘crack’
Over again
‘crack!’
Alexandra laughed.
Charlie’s expression said it all.
“Alright, alright!” She closed the gap reaching for the whip. “Either I’m a good teacher, or you’re a bloody show-off, give me that.”
Charlie slapped the grip in her hand.
“Did you see that?” She laughed, moving into Alexandra wide-eyed.
“Alexandra!”
Stepping back, she looked at her brother, heading towards them, stopping beside their guest.
“I wanted to ask Miss Warner if she could join me on a walk.”
Charlie bit her lip, taking a quick glimpse at Alexandra.
She met Charlie’s warm smile.
“I can keep an eye on Aiden for you.”
“Will you? Thanks,” Charlie touched her arm. Watching them go, Alexandra looked around at the other potential walking buddies he could have asked.
Seeing him offer his arm to her as they walked, she dropped her head back. That’s how they’d walked back to Charlie’s cabin together last night. She rubbed her neck, deciding to walk away. She had to forget this feeling.



A couple of hours later, Charlie could see Alexandra with Aiden ahead of them. Jarrod was quite the charmer. He’d taken her on a little picnic by the creek. She admitted it was nice to have a man’s attention again. It was flattering. Noticing Alexandra was helping Aiden with something, she smiled; her boy was happy here.
Alexandra saw the movement out of the corner of her eye. Her brother was such a flirt. He’d cottoned on to the game of trying to seduce one of their guests every time. Alexandra herself played for a while, but it wasn’t her thing to be the lesbian experiment.
She glanced at Aiden in front of her. This was what she wanted...a family.

“Hey,”
Aiden looked up at his mum as they came into view.
“Mummy, look, mum!”
“What you got there?” He ran up to her as she crouched down.
“Wow, you got a horseshoe?”
“Alexandra made it for me from the horse.”
“Ha, not quite, buddy.” She laughed as he ran back over to her. “But you look after it alright; it will bring you good luck.”
Charlie stopped beside her as she remained sitting on the hay bale.
“Well, thanks for the picnic.”
“Oh, you’re welcome; I enjoy your company.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Jarrod smirked at his sister before drawing his attention to Aiden.
“Right young man, you ready to join the others for a swim?” Charlie watched her son look between the siblings.
“Here, bud, mum can look after that for you till you get back, ok.” Alexandra took the horseshoe from his hand.
“Ok.” Aiden ran and got into step with Jarrod. Alexandra passed the horseshoe up to Charlie.
“May give you some luck too.”
“You think I need it to do you?” Charlie looked at the horseshoe in her hand.
“Yeah, you need some luck from my brother.”
Alexandra packed her stuff away and got up. She looked at Charlie. “He’s pretty sweet on you.”
“Ha yeah, I kind of got that impression.” She watched the dark-headed cowgirl head into the stables.
“If you’ve got something to say, Alexandra, say it.” Alexandra stopped in front of her.
“Look, I know we don’t know each other, but if you’re looking for a little holiday romance, there it is...” she waved towards where Jarrod went.
“What makes you think I came here for a little holiday romance? I came here for my son. Although...” She smiled. “It is nice to have attention from someone who thinks I’m worth it.”
Alexandra stood up straight.
“I didn’t say you weren’t worth it. I’m paying you extra attention, aren’t I?” Charlie searched those cheeky eyes looking back at her.
“Yes, of course, and thank you.” She laughed, twirling the horseshoe in her hands. “But I know that’s because I’m your lawyer, so... we need to do some ringing around before it gets too late...”
Alexandra nodded, grabbing her hat.
“Yeah, we do; come on.”



“That’s ok. Thank you for your time.”
Alexandra hung up her phone, looking at Charlie on her cell phone.
“And will you email that through? Great, thanks again, Joady. Alright, bye.” Sighing, she hung up, looking at Alexandra. “Well, I managed to get you an appointment at the civic bank tomorrow.”
“Oh my god, thank you!” Alexandra leaned over, hugging her shoulders. “You’re amazing! You will come with me, right?” She bit her lip a second seeing Charlie hesitate. She leaned closer. “Please come with me.”
Charlie pursed her lips.
“Bring Aiden; we’ll make a day of it.” Charlie searched her eager eyes. Was she getting too involved with these siblings?
“Sure. Ok.”
Alexandra smiled, looking at her watch.
“Shit, I’ve gotta set up the hall for the dance tonight.”
“Are we dancing tonight?”
“We are dancing tonight.”
“Ha, no, I don’t dance.”
“What?” Alexandra looked at her, surprised.
Charlie shrugged her shoulders.
“Unless we are nightclubbing with lots of alcohol, I don’t dance... “ Alexandra pushed her chair back.
“Oh, you so need to come here.” She pulled her sling off and reached out for her hand. Charlie moaned, but she put her hand in Alexandra’s as she pulled her close.
“Watch my feet.” She put her other hand on Charlie’s hip.
“Ouch!”
“Sorry.” She watched their feet for a few rounds.
“You got it?”
“I think so.” Alexandra reached over and turned the radio on. Grabbing her hat, she plonked it on her head. She was leading.
“Just relax and move with me.” For a moment, Charlie just watched her feet.
Alexandra pursed her lips.
“So, what time do we need to be at the bank tomorrow?”
“Um...”Charlie raised her head. “two o’clock.”
Alexandra moved their joint hands between them.
“Do we need to take anything?”
Charlie thought for a minute. Alexandra’s lip curled; Charlie was dancing with her and not even thinking about it.
“I think we’ll just take all your documents so we don’t miss anything.”
“Ok.” Alexandra spun her around. “Anything you want to do while we’re in town?”
Charlie moved back into her arms comfortably.
“We’ll have Aiden so...” She spoke with her hand on the cowgirl’s shoulder. “Is there somewhere we can take him?” Alexandra felt the heat of this woman’s body moving with hers.
“Well...” She cleared her throat, spinning her again. “An amusement park is just on the other side, a few minutes out. We can take him there first...” She laughed. “Might wear him out.”
Charlie’s eyes fell on her smile.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, of course.” Alexandra squeezed her hand against her chest. “It will be nice to get out of here for the day and spend it with you.” Laughing to herself, she looked at this woman so comfortable in her arms.
“By the way, you’re dancing,”
Charlie looked at herself and then gave her a sweet smile.
“I guess I am.” She felt the hair in her fingers at the base of the cowgirl’s neck. Alexandra blushed slightly.
“Um, I better go and set up.”
She removed Charlene’s hand from around her neck. For a second, she held her hands in her own.
“Thank you, my lady, for the dance.” She bowed.
“My pleasure,” Charlie curtsied.
Alexandra let go of her hands, picking up her keys.
“You’ll enjoy tonight. And hey, wear some comfortable shoes tonight, alright,” She smiled, reaching the door and giving her a tilt of her hat. “See ya after.”
“Bye.”Charlie stood there thinking about the moment they had just shared. A smile crossed her cheeks. She was going to enjoy tonight.


Later that evening, Alexandra walked in from the back of the hall, seeing Jarrod pouring a couple of glasses of wine.
“Hey, I’ve got a meeting in town tomorrow, but I might do some other stuff while I’m there. Will you be alright without me?”
“I’m not a kid, sis.” He looked at his glasses momentarily, a realization coming to mind. “You just enjoy a day away from here, ok.” He picked them up, giving her a wink. “I’m sure I can keep myself busy.”
She watched him go through the crowd to the blonde woman he was focused on tonight.
She watched Charlene laughing with him as she took the glass. Feeling the conflict in her emotions, she exhaled.

“Well, guess what...” She picked up the whisky bottle, pouring herself a shot. “Enjoy tonight, little brother...” She threw it back. “Cause tomorrow I’m going to have her all to myself.”