THE CRAZY-H The continuing saga of "Growing Pains".

Chapter 1

The two men rode silently both deep in thought. Today they would be home. The dark-haired Texan cocked his head towards his partner and friend riding alongside him. The tall blond ranch owner smiled back. "What Jess?"

"Just thinkin Slim, Andy's gonna be real excited bout going mustanging with me. Tell you the truth, not looking forward to sleeping on the hard ground again so soon after this last week."

"You getting soft Jess? I for one am lookin forward to getting home, miss Sara. Should be home fore dark I reckon."

"What are we waitin for." Jess leaned forward urging his mount to pick up his pace. "Git up." Slim yelled as he swatted Alamo's rear with the reins. The chestnut perked up; prancing and pulling hard against his bit not wanting his stable mate getting too far ahead of him. Both men were anxious to get home. Slim to his new wife and newly built ranch house just across the stage road from the old ranch house. Jess anxious to see if Jane had returned from Denver. The dark-haired Texan hadn't seen his girl since the night the Stacy brothers had attacked him. Poor Jane had believed the brothers had killed him. Jess had sent her and Henry riding at full speed to the ranch to get Slim.

Upon Slim and Jess's arrival back to the ranch after the altercation Jane had run into the young cowboy's arms whispering over and over how she loved him and had feared him dead. This was the last time Jess had seen her. The next day, a note had arrived from the French's ranch informing them Jane's Grandpa Simon had passed on. Jane was accompanying her Ma on the trip back East to fetch her Grandma back to live with the French's in Laramie or live with her other daughter in Denver. Jess was worried, what if Jane didn't want to return. The young woman had been exposed to so much violence during the short time her family had lived in Laramie.

Slim galloped Alamo through Stone creek splashing Jess laughing as he galloped past him looking back with a smirk on his face. The cold water brought Jess out of his trance and he spurred Traveller to catch up. The ranch was only a short distance away now. Slim picked up his pace even more. Jess laughed at his partner. He knew why Slim was anxious to get home. After all he'd been away from new his bride of a few month for over two weeks. Both men couldn't wait to share with Andy how the horse sale had fetched a much higher price than any of them had dreamed. Jess and Slim drew their mounts to a standstill as they topped the ridge.

"Shore is a pretty house Slim." Jess commented to his partner standing in the saddle stretching as he looked down upon the new ranch house. Slim grinned in agreement. The ranchers studied the spread below them with pride. Slim admiring the new ranch house they had built next to the old homestead for Sarah, Mattie and himself. Jess admiring the old ranch house, his home now, with pride. The old house belonged to him now. A home Daisy, Mike and he shared and soon Jane if she'd have him. Jess's blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "Race ya." The men charged their mounts down the hill into the ranch yard. Mike spotted the men first running to meet them waving his hands and yelling, "Aunt Daisy, Sara, their home."

"They're back Mattie!" The boy hollered to the young girl on the porch.

"Ma, Slim and Jess are back." Mattie called as she rushed into the new ranch house as fast as her legs would carry her. Sara, followed her out to the yard. She stood, her arm shielding her eyes from the glare of the setting sun. The men galloped down the hill into the yard. Slim pulled Alamo to a sliding halt, jumping from his saddle so quickly his spur caught in his bedroll and he almost tumbled on his face. Turning red the big man caught his balance just in time.

"Sara." He lifted the beautiful woman into his arms heading towards the new ranch house handing Alamo's reins to Jess. "Keep Mattie busy!" he grinned dimples showing. Sara blushed as she wrapped her arms about his neck.

Jess laughing reached out taking Mattie into his arms. "Mattie, I reckon you and Mike can help me with Alamo and Traveller, they've had a long hard trip?" The dark-haired cowboy hugged the child close.

"Sure, Uncle Jess. Just want to give Uncle Slim a hug, I missed him."

Jess grinned. "You see, sweetheart, Slim and your Ma need to discuss a new baby brother for you. Reckon we should leave em alone for a bit to talk. Come on. When their done talkin they'll find us in the house. Trav and Alamo are pretty worn out and need a good brushing." The Texan set Mattie up on Traveller and turning picked up Mike swinging him in the air. "Well Tiger looks like you grew two inches in the short time Slim and I were gone."

"Aw Jess, maybe an inch. Button's had puppies you wanna see em. Mattie gets to pick one. Come on I'll show em to ya." The boy hugged Jess tightly wiggling to get down and show Jess the pups.

"Whoa tiger." Jess took in the smell of the boy. "Missed you too Tiger."

"Is Andy around." Jess asked.

Daisy rushed out into the yard. "Welcome home Jess." She beamed.

Jess set Mike down and handed Alamo and Traveller's reins to the young boy. The dark-haired cowboy dashed across the yard to Daisy placing a kiss on the top of her head. "We're home safe and sound Daisy. Is dinner bout ready I'm half-starved." He pulled her into a tight hug. "Been livin on Slim's cookin ya know."

"Soon as you and Slim are washed up dinner will be ready." She hugged Jess to her. "How did the sale go dear?"

"Made out real good Daisy. Calvary ordered another dozen mounts. Seems Andy and I will be busy breaking broncs the next few months. Reckon we'll be heading out mustanging in a day or two. Is Andy here?"

"He'll be back shortly he took the wagon over to the Crazy H to pick up Jonesy and bring him back to join us for dinner. Andy will be so surprised to see you both back, thought you'd be a couple more days."

"Not traveling with that newlywed. He was chaffing at the bit to get home. We'll be lucky to see him tonight." Jess shared a knowing smile with Daisy.

"Oh Jess." The old housekeeper blushed.

Jess turned as he'd heard a wagon driving into the yard thinking it would be Andy and Jonesy. Jess was surprised to see it was Jane's brother Henry and hurried across the yard to the wagon. "Henry, Slim and I just got back. Is Jane home?"

"Na Jess she's in Denver. Grams decided to stay with her sister for a bit and asked Jane to stay with her. Gram doesn't want to make the trip to Laramie on the stage by herself so Ma asked Jane to stay with her in Denver and accompany Gram on the stage. Ma's been home about a week. I expect Jane home any day now. Anyways, Jess I need to borrow a few tools."

"Stay for dinner." Daisy invited.

"Can't Miss Daisy, just need to borrow a few tools to fix the North fences tomorrow then gotta get back."

Jess looked disappointed. "Come on Henry, let's see what you need."

Henry hopped down from the wagon and followed Jess into the tool shed. Jess left Henry to find the tools he needed and hurried over to the barn to see how the youngsters were makin out. Mike and Mattie had unsaddled both horses, watered both of em and were measuring out oats when Jess walked in. Jess wrapped an arm round Mike. "You and Mattie make quite the team. Good job, you need me to do anything?" he grinned blue eyes sparkling.

Both Mattie and Mike laughed. "Yeah, we can't reach way up on Traveller's neck can you finish brushing him, then do the same for Alamo, he's really tall."

"Sure Tiger, glad to help." Jess took the brush from Mike and finished up grooming both horses.

Andy rushed into the barn hearing Jess's deep voice. "Welcome home Jess'" Andy gave his friend a bear hug. Jess looked up at Andy. "Can't get use to you being so dang tall." Andy smiled taking a brush from Mike. "Let me help so we can eat, I'm starved." Mike ran to get some oats for Alamo. Andy finished off Mike's brushing Traveller along his chest. The men returned the brushes to the bucket. Jess grabbed the bedrolls, canteens, and saddlebags off the saddles handing each child a bedroll to carry. "There's some candy in my saddlebag for after dinner." Jess teased Mike. Mike whooped it up running towards the house with Slim's bedroll while Mattie followed behind trying to keep up and not drag Jess's bedroll on the ground. Andy and Jess followed carrying the rest of the gear talking about their trip the next day.

Jonesy was waiting on the porch. "Jess, welcome home boy." Jonesy stood holding out his right hand to shake with Jess, while rubbing Jess's shoulder with his left grinning ear-to-ear. "How'd things go?"

"Just fine, Jonesy, got a real-good price. Andy and I'll be heading out tomorrow or the next day. The Calvary wants another dozen or so mounts."

"Well, sure sounds like you two boys got your work cut out for ya. I'll get some food ready for you two. You'll take real good care of Andy now Jess. No crazy shenanigans, you promise." Jonesy questioned.

"Yeah Jonesy, I promise. Sides Slim would kill me if I let something happen to his not so little brother." Jess smiled.

The men watched the youngsters drop the bedrolls off on the porch to be shaken out and re-rolled after dinner. Jess and Andy deposited Jess's gear on the porch to be cleaned off before carrying it into the house. Slim would pick his gear up later to take over to the new ranch house. Everyone washed up and entered the old ranch house.

Mike looked around the kitchen. "Guess Slim and Sara, are still talking." Mike told Daisy, "Can we start eating, Aunt Daisy?"

"Yes dear, I don't think they'll mind if we go ahead with dinner just this once Mike." Daisy cupped Mike's face in her hand kissing him on the cheek.

"Ahh Aunt Daisy, not in front of Jess, he'll think I'm a sissy."

Henry peeked in the doorway. "I'm off, I'll let you know soon as Jane returns Jess."

Jess waved then grabbed a chair to sit at the table. Everyone else was seated. Mattie helped Daisy serve the food. Daisy smiled fondly at the young girl, she had become such a part of their family in the short months she'd been on the ranch.

"Daisy I need to talk to you alone." Daisy turned to look at the young cowboy.

"Anything serious dear." She asked.

"No Daisy, just need to ask your opinion. Need to sort a few things out."

Jess turned his attention to Andy. "Andy, our mustang trip starts late tomorrow or dawn the following day. Reckon you could ride over tomorrow morning and see if Bill can help Slim out while were gone."

"Sure Jess." Andy answered.

"My goodness you have to leave so soon Jess." Daisy asked.

"Looks like it Daisy, the calvary needs horses and they're paying high dollar right now." Jess explained to the housekeeper.

"You up to going Andy, ain't gonna be an easy trip, no fishin I'm afraid, just hard work."

"Sure Jess, I understand." He turned winking at his friend. This was the trip the two had been planning on. Jess had promised Andy a trip to the big open; just the two of em. Finally, he was getting the chance to see what being out in the big open was really like. He wanted to yell out an ear splitting Yippee, but after all he was a grown man now.

The ranch house door opened. Slim and Sara slipped in holding hands. "Any dinner left Daisy?" Slim winked as he pulled out a chair to seat Sara, then pulled a chair out for himself. Jess passed Slim the bowl of potatoes and Slim helped himself passing it to Sara.

Slim had filled up his plate and had just placed a large spoonful of potatoes in his mouth when Mattie asked.

"Did you decide, am I getting a baby brother?"

"A baby brother?" Slim asked trying to talk around his mashed potatoes blushing.

"Yeah, Jess said you two were busy talkin on iffn' I get a baby brother or not. Isn't that right Mike?" Mattie asked.

Mike nodded in agreement. "Well, did you decide?" The young boy asked.

It was Sara's turn to blush. "OK with me."

"Well me too I guess." Slim answered. Jess handed him a plate of meat to pass. "Leave it to you pard to tell all my secrets?" Slim teased Jess as he swiped him across his head.

"Hey, just answering questions honestly, you sure don't want me tellin lies do you Slim?" Jess teased.

"Gosh Slim, looks like Jess has got you there, better eat and quit talking." Andy warned his brother.

"Yeah, better save your strength, Pard." Jess chimed in.

The grown-ups were snickering while Mike and Mattie tried to figure out what was so funny. Finally, Mike asked. "Well, Slim are you gonna talk about it after dinner, Mattie and I wanna know?"

Jess coughed his coffee up all the front of his shirt. Andy blushed bright red and Slim looked over at Mike real serious. "Well Tiger, maybe if Mattie could spend the night over here with you and Jess, Sara and I can spend some time discussing brothers and sisters tonight. How's that sound."

Mattie ran over and climbed on Slim's lap. "OK, Uncle Slim. Just to let you know, I want a sister, there's enough boys on this ranch." Slim hugged her close. His partner reached over and placed his arm across Slim's shoulders. "We'll take real good care of Mattie tonight Slim, you just concentrate on that little sister." Slim's dimples showed as the young rancher smiled. "Do my best Jess, I promise." And both partners laughed.

Sitting out on the porch after dinner Jess waited till Daisy had a chance to join him. "Daisy, Henry told me Jane's still in Denver with her Grandma. I'm headin there tomorrow with Andy. I'm gonna ask her to marry me. Daisy, are you OK with living here with Jane and me, along with Mike?

Daisy could see the concern in the cowboy's eyes. She took Jess' hands in hers. "Jess, I love living here with you and Mike." She ran her fingers through that lock of hair on his forehead pushing it back. Jess, I look forward to you marrying Jane. I think the real question is do you really want an old woman living with you?"

"We are family Daisy. I love you, you know that." Jess leaned forward hugging the elderly woman tenderly.

"To tell you the truth, I can't think of any place I would rather be." Daisy laid her head against Jess' chest.

"Me either Daisy. The ranch house is ours now. When Slim and I built the new ranch house he gave me an equal sum to put into this house and the deed."

"Do you think she'll say yes?" Daisy changed the subject.

"Course she will Daisy. Just gotta ask." Jess gave Daisy another hug then headed out to the barn to finish up chores and finish packing.