WATER RIGHTS, CHAPTER 3, LUKE AND HANNAH

LUKE AND HANNAH 

          While Hannah was lost in her own thoughts, Luke drove and tried hard to figure out what he was going to do, or should do. Today had been the first time he’d run into Jamison since he’d manufactured his truck breakdown so he could be on the ranch. And Jamison had been so pissed Luke couldn’t provide any new information about Thomas and the girl and the ranch. Luke cringed when he recalled Jamison’s tirade.

          “What the goddamn fuck am I paying ya for if ya haven’t learned a single goddamned fucking thing since ya been there? I figured by now you’d be in that gal’s panties and her pillow talk would give you every single fuckin’ thing I need to know. What, she’s too fuckin’ ugly for you? I’m not payin’ you to court her. I’m payin’ ya to fuck her for information. Did you forgit I hired ya for ya pretty face and manners, not to mention getting your equipment out of that pawn shop?”

          That’s when they became aware Hannah had returned to the truck. Thankfully, Jamison hadn’t been shouting and Luke hoped like hell Hannah hadn’t heard a single word of his diatribe. He wondered if that’s why she was being so quiet. Jamison’s final words still rang in Luke’s ears even though the man had whispered, “Now, ya get ya fuckin’ ass back over to that twat, make nice, and find out what they’re fuckin’ plannin’ about the fuckin’ water on their land. If’n you cant fuckin’ do it, I’ll find myself someone who fuckin’ can.”

          Luke had been desperate when Jamison had approached him just after the first of the year. All his tack had been pawned and he was living in his truck, barely able to feed his two horses in the trailer. He was at the point where he’d almost decided to sell his horses and trailer. It would hurt like hell to let them go, but it was going to be that or they’d all starve.

          It hadn’t sounded like such a big deal when Jamison said he’d pay to get Luke’s tack out of pawn, that he’d give him so much a month with a bonus once Luke acquired the information Jamison needed. It had sounded like he’d get there, be there and then be gone before the month was over. The way Jamison talked, the old man was due to die any time and then the girl would go back to New York and he, Jamison, would be able to buy the ranch. Sounded easy peasy, but here he was, over two months later without a single mention of the ranch’s disposition when Thomas died. And, Luke realized with some chagrin, he didn’t really want Thomas to die.

          In fact, Luke didn’t want Thomas to die or to have Hannah return to New York. He had come to care for them both, to love the work he was doing at the ranch. He realized he didn’t want to play either of them to get information, that he didn’t want to load up his horses and leave. Luke felt like he was between a rock and a hard place. He wondered if he should tell Thomas and Hannah about Jamison. He wondered if there was some way he could get enough money to pay back what Jamison had already given him. Luke didn’t want to tell Thomas and Hannah why he’d come into their lives. He liked the way they looked at him, included him, and that would all change once they realized he was Jamison’s snake in the grass. He heaved a big sigh.

          “You okay over there Luke? You’ve been pretty quiet since we left town, but then, I haven’t had anything to say either.”

          “I’m okay, just thinking about some stuff. Nothing to concern your pretty head.”

          “Pretty head? What, did you have something to drink in town when I wasn’t looking?”

          Luke laughed and responded, “No, didn’t have a drop, but you should look in a mirror some time. You really are quite pretty.”

          It was Hannah’s turn to laugh, and she adopted a southern accent to say, “Why shucks, sir, you’re gonna turn my head if you keep talking like that. My daddy done warned me about pretty boys like you.”

          They were both laughing as they pulled into the lane to the ranch.

          Another couple of months passed and Luke became even more engrossed in the lives of Thomas and Hannah. A couple of times during that period, Thomas and Hannah drove into town together, but it wasn’t their town, it was the larger little city more than an hour away. It wasn’t reachable during winter because of all the snow in the pass. Luke tried to find out what they were doing there, but all Hannah would say was that her gramps had some business he needed to see to. The second trip, Luke tried to go along or drive one or both of them, but Thomas had told him it was family business and he needed Luke to stay behind just in case an unexpected storm hit the pass and they couldn’t get back the same day.

          Luke and Hannah continued to work together and had become close. They could exchange a look and know exactly what the other one was thinking. Sometimes they finished each other’s sentences. They found some of the same topics made them both laugh. They enjoyed each other’s company, but there had been no overt touching or seducing or anything romantic between them.

          For Luke, it was a kind of torture. With the warmer weather Hannah had discarded some of the layers of clothes she wore. She still didn’t show a lot of skin, but that was a good thing because she was so pale the sun would have burned her to a crisp in no time. He couldn’t tell for sure, but she seemed to have a nice set of boobs and her waist looked so tiny, he thought maybe he could put his hands around her. He tried to think of some way he could approach her, touch her, but didn’t want to ruin the great rapport they shared and he was afraid if he tried to take the next step, she’d back far far away.

          Hannah was also experiencing some pangs about being so close to Luke but being unable to touch him. She wanted to trace the tattoo on his bicep that appeared when he began to wear short-sleeved t-shirts. Actually, Hannah wanted to rip the t-shirt off him and just stand there and gawk if his body and muscles were as defined and gorgeous as the t-shirt tucked into his tight jeans hinted. She couldn’t bring herself to reach out. She was too afraid Luke would back away, be insulted by her desire if she let it show. She was seriously afraid she’d come to care for him so much that if he pushed her away, she’d simply curl up and die.

          During this time Thomas was doing less and less around the ranch. If he wasn’t sitting inside dozing, he took himself to the front porch where he could see his land and the valley beyond. Whenever Luke had a minute, he’d join Thomas on the porch and listen to the old man talk about the old days. When the evenings warmed up, the three of them would gather on the porch and both Hannah and Luke would listen to Thomas reminisce.

          When Thomas’ dad was young, and even when Thomas was a boy, it was a hard-working ranch. There were way more cattle than now existed. There would be a round-up every fall with lots of cowboys hired to track the cattle down and move them from the hills to the valley. They’d all work to get the male calves castrated, the animals held over from the previous year, now fat and heavy from the spring and summer grass, to the railroad for shipment east to become beef for sale in stores.

          Luke came to realize he was looking at a very faded picture of what the ranch had once been. The barnyard had bustled with chickens clucking, crowing and pecking, pigs snorting and rooting through mud, horses and foals out in the pasture, at least two or more milk cows to provide the milk needed for butter and cheese and drinking. Luke wished he’d been able to be part of that ranch, that successful ranch that no longer existed.

          One evening, Luke tried to ask Thomas about the ranch’s future, “So, Thomas, what’s going to happen to the ranch when you join your ancestors?”

          Before Thomas could form a reply, Hannah jumped in with, “Now don’t go asking questions like that. Gramps has a lot of time left yet. He won’t be leaving this ranch or me any time soon. Right gramps?” Then she got up, kissed the top of Thomas’ head and left, saying, “I’m going to take myself to bed. I’ve got a good book I’m reading.”

          In the silence that followed, Thomas cleared his throat. “If’n you’re wondering what will happen to Hannah when I die, I’ve made sure she’ll be well taken care of. Her and any husband and kids she may have in her life. You’re a good boy Luke and you and Hannah seem to get along really well. Just want to say you’re welcome here for as long as you want to stay.”

          Silence returned and Luke was so uncomfortable he wanted to put his horses in his trailer and drive straight away from there. Thomas had more or less let him know he would approve of a relationship between Luke and Hannah. Luke was sure he wouldn’t feel that way if he learned or knew Luke was Jamison’s hired hand.

          Luke didn’t say anything and soon Thomas was regaling him with a tale about the largest fish he’d ever caught in the river than ran through the ranch. “Used to be you could stand on the bank and barely get the hook wet before a trout would be hanging on. I haven’t been down there fishing for a few years now so I don’t know if the population has increased or gone down. My gear is in the hall closet, so if you’d like ta throw a line in, feel free. Trout is good eatin’ and I’d dearly love me a trout dinner with fried onions and potatoes.”

          Luke thanked him and Thomas became quiet for a bit. “Course, the potatoes and onions would be even better if they’d grew in ranch dirt. Did I tell you we always had us a huge vegetable garden when my wife was alive? The summer before Gracie died was the last big garden we had and even then, it wasn’t as big as we’d had in years past. With just me and Han, there didn’t seem to be any point, although Gracie did teach Han every single thing she needed to know to plant and grow and harvest from the garden.

          “You know Han’s mom left here for good when she was 19 because I know Han told you that. What you don’t know is that Gracie and I felt like we’d been given a second chance when Han came to live with us. And, the way she took to the ranch work and doing even more than her share at times made us hope Han would find someone who’d want to take over from me and continue the ranch for another generation.

          “But Han’s never brought anyone home or even tried to become part of the town’s social scene. Think it was hard for her to fit in coming from New York. I haven’t asked her what she thinks she’ll do when I’m gone, mainly because she don’t want to talk about it, but it’s a conversation we’re going to have to have at some point. I hate to think of her here on her own all alone.”

          Thomas lapsed into silence again and Luke was even more uncomfortable. The thing was he could see himself sitting on the porch when he was as old as Thomas. He could see himself with Hannah, helping bring the ranch back to a new glory. He could even see a bunch of kids that looked like him and Hannah running around the barnyard. And while Luke could see that, he knew it wasn’t in his future, that his future had already been decided when he’d removed the fuses from the truck so he could stay here and find out whatever it was Jamison wanted to know. He was such a low-life snake in the grass.

          Thomas seemed to be talked out and Luke heard him begin to snore. “Thomas, Thomas, c’mon, wake up. You can’t be sleeping out here on the porch. C’mon and we’ll head in to bed.”

          Luke helped Thomas rise and steadied him until he found his balance. They went inside, Thomas first and Luke turned back to close and lock the door. He followed the old man down the hall. “Is there anything I can do or get you before you hit the hay?” Luke asked.

          “I’m gonna brush my teeth, but if you could bring me a big glass of water, that would be great. I find I get pretty thirsty during the night.”

          Luke took his time to give the old man a chance to get in bed. He turned off lights, checked doors and windows as he’d see Hannah and/or Thomas do and then carried the water into Thomas’ bedroom. As he’d hoped, Thomas was in bed, covers pulled up. He sat the water on the night table where the old man could reach it.

          “Thank you, Luke. You’re such a fine young man. I hope you know just how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me and for Han since you arrived here. It was almost like the good Lord looked down and saw how much we needed a young man like you. I’m so glad He made your truck stop by the end of our lane.”

          “Thanks Thomas, but I’m definitely no angel. Good night, sleep tight.” Luke responded, feeling absolutely miserable and so sad. He went on to his own room, thinking he absolutely had to find a way out of the mess he was in.

          

WATER RIGHTS, CHAPTER 2, HANNAH AND LUKE

 

HANNAH AND LUKE

          Soon, the three of them settled into a routine. Luke and Hannah went out to the meadow morning and evening. Luke took care of the work required in the barn while Hannah returned to the house and cooked a hearty breakfast. Thomas was feeling a bit left out after a few days, so Hannah told him he could do the cleaning up after meals. “And don’t be telling me you don’t know how, because I still remember how you always helped granny. I’ve been spoiling the dickens out of you since you came home from the hospital.”

          Most days Luke went back out to the barn to take care of the tack and saddles and any other things that he thought could be improved. Clearly, there had been way too much for Thomas and Hannah to keep up. Things that weren’t absolutely necessary had gone without attention. He found he really enjoyed the work he was doing here and the people he was doing it with. He tried not to think about why he was doing it because it made him feel guilty.

          Over time Hannah’s reticence was replaced by a young woman who had a clever sense of humor, was friendly, relaxed and verbal around Luke and her grandfather. On the rides back and forth to the meadow, and sometimes in the afternoons, Luke could get Hannah to respond to his carefully worded questions, and slowly he learned how and why she’d ended up on the farm.

The drives into town were also opportunities for him to ingratiate himself and learn more about her. In town, she would get her grandfather’s prescriptions filled, visit the feed store and the grocery store to keep their larder stocked, but her never saw her actually interact with or act as though she was happy to see any of the town folk. Luke enjoyed having the young woman, who he’d learned was actually 19 years old, beside him in the tractor or truck or just at the kitchen table.

He learned Hannah’s mom had been an only child and hadn’t wanted the ranch life. She broke her parents’ hearts when she took off for New York City as soon as she was old enough. Hannah’s mom hadn’t become a star on Broadway as she’d been so sure she would, but she’d met Hannah’s dad when she got a bit part on a soap opera. According to the stories her mom had told her, it had been love at first sight. They were together from that first day and joyous when they’d found out her mom was pregnant with Hannah, so they got married.

Luke was astonished to find out her father was Stephen Townsend. He’d watched the soap on which her dad had a regular part with his mom growing up. Her dad’s salary was enough so Hannah’s mom didn’t have to go out and work. Hannah had so many memories from those first years. She and her mother explored New York when she was old enough while her dad worked. In the evenings, they had dinner together and often danced and sang and pretended to put on shows for each other. There was lots of hugs and kisses and togetherness. Hannah always felt so safe and so loved, even when the World Trade Center Towers were attacked and New York became a nightmare for a while. To Luke, it sounded perfect and he hoped as time went on, she’d share more stories about New York and what she’d done there.

When she was ready for school, her mom had enrolled her in a one that many actor’s children attended. Most of the other kids were like her and believed they’d grow up and become actors like their parents. The gleam from Broadway stretched far. By the time she was 10, Hannah had already been in a number of plays, a couple of commercials and her parents were convinced it was only a matter of time before the right role in a movie appeared.

Then, just after her 11^th birthday, her entire life was upended. Her parents were riding the subway together which was something they rarely did because they didn’t believe it was safe. A young man going through withdrawal, crazy with need for a fix and carrying a gun, shot them both and took her mom’s purse and her dad’s wallet. Just like that she was an orphan.

Her father didn’t have any close family, so Hannah’s only recourse was her mother’s parents and the farm. Granny came to New York as soon as she got word and helped Hannah with her grief, funeral arrangements and finally to go through all the stuff in the apartment. There wasn’t a lot she could take to Montana with her. There wasn’t money to box it up and store it. In fact, there was very little money because her parents had been so young and hadn’t even begun to think about the future which seemed so many years away.

Her granny was very sympathetic, holding Hannah while she cried, assuring her things would be okay eventually. So, what Hannah didn’t want or couldn’t take to Montana was sold and the remaining clothes, photos, and keepsakes were boxed up and sent to the farm. Her parents were cremated and packed up too, so they could be buried together on the ranch.

The ranch and her grandparents weren’t total strangers because her mother had brought Hannah back home once a year to visit. Then, Hannah had loved everything about the ranch, but she’d never ever thought she’d leave her beloved New York to make it her permanent home. The first year was exceptionally hard because there was so much she had to learn both at the farm and at school. She told Luke she was determined to be successful even if it meant having to act a part and she knew she was a good actor and could pull it off. She was right about part of it, the ranch work part.

Ranch work wasn’t terribly difficult once she began to develop some muscles and she did love the animals and taking care of them. Then they’d had chickens and ducks, and pigs as well as the horses and cattle. Some of Hannah’s favorite memories were of her and her granny riding out into the hills together and granny showing Hannah her very most favorite places. Even though granny had been gone a couple of years, Hannah told Luke she still rode out and visited those special spots because it made her feel close to her granny and her mom because granny said her mother had loved them too.

School was a totally different story. First, Hannah was dressed all wrong, like something out of a magazine. Then there was her hair. It had never been cut and hit below her butt. She almost always wore it in a braid. All the other kids wore jeans and flannel shirts and boots and sported the latest hairstyles. And, okay, granny had bought her jeans and shirts and boots when she first arrived, but Hannah thought those were work clothes. Her very first day she became the butt of many mean jokes. It didn’t help that she’d arrived after sixth grade had already begun for the year, but the cliques had been formed years before and any chance of her being initiated into one of them didn’t even come up because she dressed and looked funny.

Luke wondered then if that was why Hannah wore such ill-fitting clothing. The shirts and pants were always way too big and he thought perhaps there was at least another layer, maybe two beneath what he could see. He wondered just how much damage had been done by her school mates. Kids could be so cruel. He also wondered if that’s why Hannah tended to avoid anyone in town that looked as though they could be close to her age. She was always polite and respectful to her elders, but he’d actually seen her turn and walk the other way at times when younger folk were headed her way. He got his answer on what must have been their fourth excursion into town.

Hannah had walked around the corner toward the grocery store. Luke was going to the feed store. He’d only taken a couple of steps when his ears caught her name.

“Well, if it isn’t that Hannie Girlie.” A male voice said nastily. “Haven’t seen you since school ended. And, I can see you still have that stupid braid. Wish I had me some scissors and I’d cut it off right at the top.” This was followed by laughter, both male and female. “And just look at the way she dresses. Is she actually a girl? Doesn’t look like she even has any tits.”

Another female voice took over. “Well, I can testify to her having tits because I saw her in gym class. And she’s got the biggest bush of hair on her pube. You could probably braid that too.” More nasty laughter.

Luke straightened himself all the way up and stepped back around the corner, “Are these assholes bothering you Ms. Townsend? If they are, I surely know just how to make them go away. But, instead of making a scene like they’re trying to do, let’s just get our business done and go home.” He took Hannah’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Now, if you rude and nasty little rats could step aside, we’ll be on our way.” He towered over the people who had been tormenting Hannah. He stepped forward and they stepped back. Within a couple of steps, he and Hannah were walking away from the offensive little group. Once they were around the corner, Luke asked, “Does that happen often?”

“Well, it’s happened ever since I came to live here. It’s not their fucking business how my parents died. It’s not their fucking business why I had to come live with Granny and Gramps. It’s not their fucking business if I promised my mother I wouldn’t cut my hair. They’ve always needed someone to pick on and since the day I arrived in my New Yawk clothes, they’ve picked on me. I use my acting skills to make them think whatever they fucking say doesn’t matter. Still, it fucking hurts, hurts a lot so I just try to make myself as inconspicuous as possible and escape as soon as I can.”

“School must have been hell.” Luke could hear the tears and rage in her voice.

“You have no idea and my grandparents had no idea either because I did act. I did pretend that everything was just fine. And I always had some excuse for why I didn’t bring any friends home to the ranch or attend any parties. I couldn’t share the nasty stuff with them. They were so good to me. If I couldn’t have my own parents, they were the next best.” Hannah stopped and took a deep breath. “Anyway, I’m okay now. Let me do the grocery shopping and meet you back at the truck.”

When she came pushing the cart toward the truck, she didn’t see Luke. Then, she saw him with horrible Clyde Jamison. Jamison seemed to be telling Luke something, gesturing with his hands and arms. Luke was listening attentively. She stood and watched, wondering what Jamison could possibly have to say to Luke. Probably trying to find out how gramps is doing. I’ll have to warn him that Jamison is a snake and not to be trusted she thought.

Suddenly, they both looked her way. Something flickered in Luke’s eyes, but was gone so quickly she wasn’t sure if she saw what looked like guilt or not. Jamison doffed his hat and gave her a big toothy smile. She looked away.

When Luke reached her and began to help stow the groceries, she asked, “What did Jamison want?”

“Is that his name?” Luke responded. “He was asking me about your grandfather’s health and asked me to take his best wishes to Thomas. He seemed to genuinely care about how Thomas is doing. Are they good friends?”

Hannah slammed the truck door and turned to face Luke, “Hell no, they have never been and will never be friends. Jamison is a real, a real, a real, well asshole, make that a fucking asshole. When gramps had his heart attack last year, Jamison was at the door trying to buy the ranch before I even knew if he was going to live or die. He almost caused Gramps to have a second one which would have killed him. I hate Jamison and wouldn’t sell him a cup of water if he were on fucking fire.”

“Wow, there must be some red hair in that braid of yours. I think you could become a real spitfire if someone made you angry.” Luke laughed and patted her back. “Relax, he’s gone. Your Gramps is fine, it’s all fine. Now, let’s head back to the ranch.”

Millie leaned back against the seat and stared out the window as Luke drove. She could still feel Luke’s hand on her back, could still feel the strength of his arm under her fingers. Him standing up for her made her feel good. He seems to care for me she thought. The experience and Luke’s touch made her feel sort of unsettled, like she had an itch in the middle of her back she couldn’t reach. She also felt something at the base of her tummy. She thought she knew what it was. She’d read a lot of books. Based on what she’d read, Hannah figured what she was feeling down there was desire.

She knew what an orgasm was and not just from reading a book. Hannah had already found she could make herself feel good before she came to the ranch. What she didn’t know was how it would feel to have a horse between her thighs. The first time she’d been on horseback alone, she’d let herself go and was thankful she hadn’t fallen off when she experienced the best come ever. She’d just never felt anything like what she was feeling there now.

She wished she had a best friend she could call and talk to about her feelings. She’d never had a boyfriend, or even a close girlfriend because she’d come so late to the ranch and the town. She wished she had her mother or even granny to advise her about the thoughts and feelings she seemed to be developing for Luke. But she didn’t have anyone, so she’d have to trust herself and maybe trust Luke as well.

She felt like she wanted to hold and kiss him. She’d taken to staring at his mouth when he wasn’t paying attention. She really wanted to kiss those lips, to do whatever came after. She wanted to wrap herself around Luke and keep him at the ranch forever. She didn’t know what the days to come held in store, but she was absolutely, positively sure she was beginning to love having Luke in her life.

WATER RIGHTS, CHAPTER 1, LUKE ARRIVES

 

LUKE ARRIVES

          “YOU IN THE BARN. COME OUT NOW.”

          He wasn’t sure what to expect when he opened the barn door, but it wasn’t a giant black gelding with a rider holding a gun nonchalantly pointed in his direction.

          “I’m sorry sir,” the man said. “My truck died out on the highway and your place was the closest. I couldn’t leave my horses in the trailer, it’s too cold for that. I rode one here, trailing the other one and knocked on the house door. No one answered, so I took the liberty of letting myself in your barn so we’d be out of the cold.”

          “Who are you?”

          “My name’s Luke, Luke Berenson.”

          It was at that point a noisy tractor pulling an empty trailer came around the back of the barn. It caused both the horse and Luke to back up nervously “What in Sam-hill is going on here? I figured you’d have your horse put away and some coffee cooking by this time, Han. And, who the fuck are you mister?”

          “I was just telling your son my name’s Luke Berenson and my truck broke down on the highway. I couldn’t leave my horses there to freeze, so we came here looking for some shelter. I did knock at the house but there was no answer.”

          “Well, that’s because we was out making sure the cattle in the meadow are doing okay. Have to make sure the trough water doesn't freeze and threw out some hay for them. Anyway, you’re welcome to some shelter. And, c’mon up to the house once you get your horses situated. I’ll put the coffee on Han, while you take care of Onyx.”

          Luke watched as Han put the rifle back into the scabbard attached to the saddle. He was surprised to find the horseback rider, Han, wasn’t all that big once his feet hit the ground. He looked huge up on the horse, but he wasn’t as tall as Luke. Maybe the gun made him seem bigger. “Well, c’mon with me and let’s see about getting your horses taken care of.”

          Inside the barn, Luke was directed to two empty stalls and told to put his animals in there and to make sure they had water, hay and some grain. Jesus Christ Luke thought. Does this Han think I’m fucking stupid or something and have never taken care of my horses before? But he complied with the directions and then waited while the boy took care of Onyx. Luke attempted some conversation, but soon gave up when all he received were single-word responses. Then, they walked together to the house. Again, Luke was surprised by the boy’s ability to take long quick steps. He almost had to trot to keep up.

          In the warm mudroom of the house they removed their boots and outerwear. That’s when Luke noticed the huge braid of golden reddish-brown hair that fell down the boy’s back. It had either been under the hat or beneath his coat. Luke thought the boy’s friends must give him a really hard time about his hair.

The mudroom opened directly into a large kitchen. There were huge windows on two sides of the room which allowed for views down into the barnyard as well as far down the valley. The appliances, cupboards and countertops looked fairly new and very well-kept. The big table in the middle of the kitchen was huge and old and had seen many years of many meals taken on its top. Luke wondered if any of the gouges or nicks had tales to go with them and bet there were more than a few.

“Hannah,” the old man said, “I think I ‘d like to have something to eat now. How about some scrambled eggs and toast with some of those Irish potatoes you froze?”

When Luke heard Hannah, he realized what he’d thought was a boy was actually a girl. He turned his attention to her and aside from the thick long braid, there was nothing to suggest there were any female parts beneath the big shirt and pants. He wondered how old she was. Luke watched her closely while she moved around the kitchen. He decided she couldn’t be all that old, maybe 14 or 15, but she was graceful and economical in her movements.

By the time Hannah finished cooking and putting food on the table, Luke realized he was hungry too. She had put three place settings on the table, one in front of him, so Luke assumed he was welcome to eat as well.

“I’m sorry sir, but I didn’t catch your name or that of your daughter.”

“Oh well for Christ’s sake, I’ve lost my manners. My name’s Thomas Wakefield and this is my granddaughter Hannah. I own this spread although it’s just about to the point where it’s way too much work for Han and me.”

“Don’t you have any hired hands?”  Luke asked.

“We usually have a few in the summer and fall, maybe spring too depending on how big the herd’s become, but no one wants to be working way out here during the winter. It’s cold and nasty. If’n I was young, I wouldn’t try to get myself a job way out here when the snow flies.”

“Does that mean you could use a good hand with his own horses?”

“Well, now maybe, depending on how much you want to be earning.”

“Room and board and a few bucks so I can get my truck fixed. I usually do the rodeo circuit, but have had nothing but bad luck this year. To be perfectly honest, I’m down to my last couple of bucks.”

“Well, okay,” Thomas said. “Soon as we finish off this food, we’ll take the tractor out and haul your truck back. Han’s a pretty good mechanic. Maybe she can figure out your problem and fix it. Might cost you nothing at all.”

By this time, Luke was sure there was something wrong with the granddaughter, but he wasn’t going to say anything. She’d barely spoken two words all through breakfast. She kept her eyes on her plate and didn’t look up or act interested even when Thomas said she was a good mechanic. Luke hoped she wasn’t too good since he’d made the problem with his truck himself. It had seemed like the best idea at the time in order to have a way in to this house, but he wouldn’t last long if she discovered what he’d done to make the truck inoperable. He’d have to work on it himself before she got there and replace the fuses he’d removed.

When Thomas told Luke to get ready to go get his truck, Hannah fussed over her grandfather. “Gramps, you aren’t going back out into the cold. You’re going to sit here and enjoy the peace and quiet and another cup of coffee. I’ll take Mr. Luke and the tractor down for his truck. You know I can do it as well as you.”

Thomas seemed to hesitate, but let Hannah push him back down into his chair. “Well, if you’re sure Han. It surely is colder than a witch’s tit out there.”

They donned their outerwear and boots in the mudroom and then went out into the cold. She led him down the small hill and through the barnyard to the shed in which the tractor was parked. Hannah detached the trailer from the tractor, heaved in a big chain and told Luke, “Get in.”

Hannah drove slowly out of the shed and started down the road to the highway. She pulled the scarf away from her mouth and said, “Thank you for being willing to help out here for a bit, that is if you are. There’s way too much for my gramps to keep up with. I am so scared this winter is going to kill him off. How long do you think you can work for gramps?”

“Is your grandfather ill?”

“Yes, sort of. He’s got a bad heart, but I can’t let him go, can’t have him go before I’m ready.”

Luke realized she had tears in her eyes and as the tractor came to a halt in front of his truck, he turned her toward him and pulled her in for a hug. He could feel the sobs shake her body, but she didn’t allow him to comfort her for long. She pulled away, wiped her eyes, turned away from Luke and said, “Thank you for that. I appreciate your sympathy, but the best idea would be for you to keep your hands to yourself. Gramps wouldn’t like it.” But maybe I liked it, Hannah thought to herself as she climbed down from the tractor. It had felt good to be held and have her back rubbed. She’d also felt something at the base of her abdomen when Luke’s smell wafted up her nose. It left her wondering.

Working together, the two of them disconnected the trailer from the truck and got the truck hitched up to the tractor. Hannah would drive the tractor and Luke would steer his truck. When they arrived back at the outbuildings, she continued with the tractor to another building with closed doors. She got down and opened the doors and pulled the tractor as close as she could and still keep it outside. She turned the tractor off, got down and met Luke as he got out of the truck and came toward her.

“We’ll have to push it into the shed from here. That way it will be out of the weather and when it’s not quite so cold, or we can bring in an electric heater if you’re in a rush, I can take a look and see if I can figure out what’s wrong. Gramps is right, I’m a pretty good mechanic.”

Between them, they got the truck inside. Luke was amazed at how strong the girl was. He thought he’d like to see her without the bulky clothes just so he could see her muscles. Based on the strength she'd exhibited, Luke thought she had to be pretty ripped when it came to her musculature.

Then, they had to return for the trailer. It couldn’t just be left on the highway or someone would probably come along and tow it away. When they got it back, Hannah drove to the off side of the big shed where another horse trailer was parked under the roof that extended out from the shed.

“We’ll have to leave it here for now.” Hannah said, “You go on to the house while I put the tractor away. I also want to check on the animals in the barn.”

“That’s okay. If you don’t mind, I’ll tag along and check on my horses as well. And, maybe you could give me some idea of what you’d like done in the barn and elsewhere. I know the orders will come from your Gramps, but it never hurts to learn as much as you can however you can.”

In the barn, Hannah went to check on Onyx and then on the only other horse that was stabled besides the two Luke brought. That horse was black as well, but seemed to be fairly old. There was a lot of silver or white hairs throughout its coat that seemed to catch the light and glow. Hannah moved from Onyx to the other horse, murmuring and stroking its head.

“This your grandpa’s horse?” Luke asked.

“Yes, this is Sampson. He’s Onyx’ father and has belonged to gramps from the time he was birthed here on the farm. Kind of like me and Onyx. I was there when he was birthed, saw him take his first steps and we bonded almost as fast as he and his mom did. I would have been bereft here if Onyx hadn’t been born just after I moved to Montana. He may have been a black colt, but he was the only light in my life then.”

“What happened?”

“Oh, pay me no nevermind. It’s just been such a hard day already and it’s not even half over. C’mon, lets head for the house and you and Gramps can talk about what he’d like you to be doing around here, that is if you’re staying. Are you staying?”

          “Yes, Hannah, I’d like to stay. It seems like you and your grandpa could use a little help just as I could. You need some muscle power and I need some money, so it should work out just fine.”

Back in the house, Hannah checked on her gramps who’d been dozing in their absence. “I’m going to get some stuff done Gramps, so why don’t you and Luke talk about what you’d like him to do. He has agreed to help us out for a bit.”

“Well, that’s just dandy, young man. You have no idea how much I appreciate the fact you’ll be stayin’ on a while. I always feel as though I’m working Han way too hard. With your help, maybe I can give her some time off to do other things she likes.”

Standing behind her grandpa, she shook her head at Luke to let him know the time off would be for her gramps and not for her. He slightly nodded and she gave him a thumbs up before disappearing down a dark hallway.

Luke and Thomas talked about Luke’s ranch experience with Thomas asking questions and Luke responding. By the time they finished, Luke had agreed to go with Thomas each morning and evening to check on the cattle out in the meadow. It wasn’t a real open meadow, but more of a bowl which kept the worst of the cold, snow and sleet from the animals. There was also a large shelter, not big enough for all of them at once, but they could move about and share the space as needed. Thomas said he’d been doing it this way for decades and had never lost an animal to the weather.

Actually, Thomas talked about how he and Luke would make those trips, but Luke already knew Thomas would be staying behind if Hannah had anything to do with it. Thomas also wanted Luke to help Hannah in the barn and to take her into town once a week to pick up supplies. Thomas said he’d been doing it, but Hannah had been getting upset about him driving her around and doing stuff he’d always done.

“Well, sir, maybe you need to look at things a bit from Hannah’s point of view. She told me you had a heart attack last year; and while she may not say anything to you, I think she’s mighty scared you’re going to overdo and end up back in the hospital.”

“That ain’t a gonna happen, I goddamn guarantee it.” Thomas snapped back. “I may be older than dirt, but I’m in good shape and don’t have any plans to go back to the hospital any time soon.”

“Maybe now that I’m here, you could ease Hannah’s mind by doing a bit less, especially when it’s so cold outside.”

“Hmmm, I’ll give it a think. Now, do you s’pose you could fill up my coffee cup again?”

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about this and that and getting to know one another. Luke found Thomas to be a very interesting rancher who’d been born in the house and lived his entire life on the land. He envied Thomas his background and knowledge of who and what he was. Luke had never really known his own father or grandparents. His mom had had a series of men that came and went in their lives until Luke felt he was old enough to go out on his own even though he was only 16. He didn’t tell Thomas any of this because it was an embarrassment.

Hannah returned to the kitchen and began to make what Luke assumed would be dinner. “Can I give you a hand with anything?” Luke asked.

“No thank you. Granny taught me how to make this venison stew and it doesn’t take but two hands. Appreciate the offer though. Once we get it on the stove, it will be time to go check on the cattle.”

“Luke and I’ll be doin’ that,” Thomas said a bit loudly.

“No, you won’t be doin’ that, Gramps. You’re going to stay here and make sure this stew doesn’t boil over on the stove. It’ll be much quicker for me and Luke to make that little trip.”

Thomas started to get up, saying, “Now Han….”

Hannah turned from the counter and looked at Thomas. Her eyes were wide open and her chin quivered. “Please gramps. Please just humor me. Let me and Luke go to the meadow.”

“Well, if you’re gonna get all upset, fine. I’ll just stay here.” Thomas slumped back into his chair.

Hannah danced across the room, bent down to hug and kiss him. “Thank you gramps. Thank you. That makes me so happy.”

Thomas grunted, but Luke could tell he was pleased by Hannah’s attention.

The cattle were just fine and Luke was amazed at their location. It really was a little bowl surrounded by forest and small hills that kept the wind from blowing through. Then it was back to check the horses in the barn, give them some grain and hay and finally back to the house for some very tasty venison stew and fresh bread rolls.

Luke leaned back in his chair and looked at Hannah calmly eating her own dinner. She seemed to be able to do almost anything the ranch and her grandfather required. He wondered how he was supposed to get close enough to her to fulfill the job he’d actually been hired to do. Well, he thought, this was only the first day and it had seemed to go fairly well. I’ll just have to have a little patience and look for ways in which I can become indispensable to not just Thomas, but especially to Hannah.

At that point Hannah looked up. Luke smiled and winked. Hannah looked away.

SO ACCOMPLISHED???

           

Another day yesterday where I had no words that left my fingers and made sense for this post. Rather than be depressed or upset about that, I’m trying to concentrate on what I did accomplish. I pretty much finished weeding the flowerbed around the deck and water feature. I also spread two huge bags of soil amendment on top of the newly cleared soil. I have one bag to go to finish the south side of the pond and deck. Maybe I’ll get that done today if it stops raining.

I also managed to fall down again…that’s the second time in less than two weeks. This time I don’t seem to have any bruises to show for my klutzy self. I was standing at the edge of the flowerbed and had put a number of wire containers behind me on the grass. These are the ones I put around the dahlias to hold them upright. Anyway, apparently, I wasn’t paying attention, or rather I was paying attention to what was in front of me and stepped back. Boom, down I went on my butt, back and my head got a good knock too. It took me a minute or so to get up and get busy again. I also had a headache for a little bit, but it went away without any pain medication.

So, perhaps instead of thinking about staying here or moving someplace smaller, I should look into assisted living. It’s not something I want to do, but if I’m getting so elderly I cannot stay up on my own two feet, then perhaps it’s time. I’ll have to give it some thought and see if I cannot stay upright from now on. I actually think I just need to pay attention and be more aware of my surroundings, but I’ll see.

On Tuesday, I had my hair cut and Gail, my hair person, was talking about getting a new dog since Douglas had passed on a month or so ago. I jokingly told her she could have one of mine, or even both. She said it would only be fair for her to take my dogs since I took her chickens. I’m torn about sending them off to live with Gail and her husband. Part of me, the part that hates all the dog hair, Kaizer yelping and barking before it’s light outside, and I guess just the responsibility wants to pack them and their stuff and drop them at Gail’s. The other part of me doesn’t want to do that because Karma and Kaizer both each have at least one bad habit that wouldn’t make Gail happy, plus, I think I’d really miss their company, especially when they are laying with/on me on the couch. I do love their warmth and cuddles.

Oh, and I was thinking I wouldn’t leave home today, but it’s a Friday the 13^th and I need to go purchase a lottery ticket. I always say I’m going to do that because 13 is my lucky number and has had a significant impact on my entire life, and then I forget. I’m going to remember today and perhaps, just perhaps my numbers will come up and I’ll be monetarily rich…I’m already rich in many other ways and need to always remember that.

Well, I guess that’s it for today. It will soon be time to publish this post. Then, I’ll feed the doggies and put myself in the rain locker for a shower and shampoo. Clean and dressed, maybe the day won’t seem quite as dark and gray as it is right now.

TIRED AND SLEEPY DAY

           

Sheesh, but I think today (Wednesday) is a day where I have absolutely no “get up and go.” I did get up and had big plans for today, but they were cancelled and so I spent the morning on the couch with the doggies…my go done left before it even got going. Ah well, I do have days where the go can hardly keep up with me, so I shouldn’t complain about my lack of energy and initiative too very much. Perhaps now that I’m sitting at my computer, I’ll even do some work on WATER RIGHTS and begin publishing chapters…and maybe not.

Even though I’ve had a shower and shampoo, am all lotioned up and dressed, I still feel as though climbing back into my bed and hugging my pillow tight while I fall asleep would be my best response today. I think it’s probably a good thing the plans I had were cancelled because I doubt I would have been much fun if I were only barely awake and that’s how I’m feeling.

And, sorry folks, it didn’t get much better as the day progressed. I did visit the grocery store and got take out for linner, but aside from that, I was on the couch with my book(s)…finished one, started another. Maybe tomorrow will be a more creative day. And, perhaps getting out and walking, which I haven’t done once this week because my walking partner has a bad knee, does really help with feeling more energized and less sleepy.

Anyway, here’s hoping we all have a great day today.

MORE MISCELLANEA

 

Well, here I am again without a prepared post. I did work on WATER RIGHTS today, but just don’t feel comfortable enough with what I’m doing and where I’m going…or rather my characters. With SHE, she burst, or at least seemed to, fully developed into my mind and; as I’ve said before, some days I was able to pound out more than one chapter. I’m hoping as I move forward with Luke and Hannah, they will leap into my mind and practically write themselves for me as SHE did.

Meanwhile, I’ve put all of SHE into one document with the exception of the last three chapters. Once I add those, then I’ll continue putting SHE into an acceptable format for sending off to an agent or publisher of erotica. I’ve already looked them up, but haven’t picked one to whom I’ll send the material once it’s ready.

I also don’t think I bragged about myself yesterday and my ability to take the furnace filter apart, clean it and replace it. AJ showed me a year or so ago, but I wasn’t sure I’d remember. The new thermostat AJ installed is one of those smart ones and told me I needed to clean the filter. Well, once I realized the blinking red light was to indicate I had a message and got the message, I put off my attempt for probably a week. What do I know about furnaces…NOTHING!!!

In any case, I got the first step correct and was able to pull off the filter cover. Then, I removed the two huge electronic sections and put them into the dishwasher. Next, I removed the two smaller silver mesh screens and added them to the dishwasher. A little soap and on it went, to give me clean filters when finished. And, Kathy B., thank you for the dishwasher suggestion.

To say those filters were dirty is to say the sky is blue when it is. I could not believe the filth on those filters. It even included some dead bugs that had apparently gotten into the air returns (AJ told me that, but weren’t you initially impressed I’d know that???) and ended up plastered to the filters. Considering all the dust I get up with the vacuum and dust cloths, I’m surprised there’s anything to go in the air intakes at all. Maybe I should add cleaning the furnace filter to my list of things to do each time the time changes in the fall and spring.

I did call AJ today though because it seemed as though the furnace was making more noise, but apparently, it’s just the sound it makes when the air is able to smoothly flow through without being impeded by dead bugs and lots of dust.

Today (Tuesday) I also got rid of the ancient electric stove (photo above) John had been saving for decades. The boys thought it might make a good piece of yard art, and that’s its future come next spring. I posted pictures and offered it on Buy Nothing and a very nice woman responded and wanted to have it for that purpose. She, her husband and brother-in-law came, loaded it up and it’s gone. Now, if I could just find someone who’d like a sailboard, my driveway would be almost totally empty. I do live in hope.

BORING, BORING, BORING

 

First, thank you all for your comments about my staying or leaving. Isn’t there a song with the words, “…should I stay or should I go now?” In any case, I feel as though that’s my anthem for the moment. I am, of course, leaning toward staying. It would be so much simpler than, as I think it was my sister said, using so much energy to move and establish a new place. Anyway, appreciate your comments and suggestions.

I didn’t get anything written to post today, so I’m writing this now, an hour after my post usually goes up. Yesterday, a group of very nice young men came to my house (okay, yes, maybe I was drooling just a bit) to remove an alder and even up the red maple from where the City Light-retained tree folks (who, in my opinion know nothing about pruning) butchered it. To be fair, there have been a couple of companies in the past where if I went out and made nice, they would do a better job of pruning the maple.

Today, the company who mows my grass and gets up the mountains of leaves will be here. I think the owner may not be happy when he sees the alder gone and maybe he won’t notice the maple. I asked him about the trees and the prices he quoted were like three to four times more than the company I used charged me. Of course, it helps when the company gives you a “family” price because they’ve taken down three huge trees for my son.

I also went to Sky Nursery yesterday and bought four huge bags of soil amendment. Then, I continued with garden clean up and got enough done to spread one bag of the amendment out. What’s done looks terrific and since the sun’s shining right now, I’m wondering if that means I can get back out there this afternoon and complete the area that goes around the deck. Guess I’ll have to see what happens as the day progresses.

Also did a bit of work on the next book. I think I was making the first chapter way too long, so I’ve cut it back into three parts. Also think I’ve decided on a name, WATER RIGHTS, but we’ll see. Depending on how the writing goes…and the thinking because I spend a lot of time thinking about what’s going on the page…maybe I can begin posting chapters this week, surely by next Monday.

Finished off yesterday by making myself a very nice salad to go with the frozen lasagna. How many of you have tried or use Stouffer’s lasagna or mac and cheese? The little boxes are just the right size for one person and I love them. Even when I used to feed the whole family, I would buy Stouffer’s or Kirkland big pans of lasagna. You add more mozzarella cheese just before it’s done and it’s perfect. I haven’t made lasagna from scratch for probably a decade or more.

Well, that’s it for this boring post. I haven’t had breakfast yet either, so it’s time to go fix my oatmeal with raisons and decide what I’m going to do today. Y’all have a very busy, happy and pleasant day.