Disclaimer: Don't own the original characters.
Note: Dear readers sorry it has taken me so long to update but I've been switched to night shift and it has taken me a awhile till I could get my new boss to allow me my laptop at work, but there is no Internet there and when I get home my Internet is down or I have homework or I'm to tired. My finals are now over and I have all Christmas break to work on the story. I've gone back and edited the past chapters too. Thanks for reading my story and waiting patiently for its update. Your reviews really boost my confidences. This is my first story and I have no beta so please bare with me.
FINALLY ON WITH THE SORRY!!!
Chapter One
"I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Even now those words echoed through his mind. Reminding him of all his failures; to Alma, his girls, himself, but most importantly, to Jack. Ennis Del Mar stared out into the vase open night sky; gazing at the stars remembering a time that seemed so long ago. Almost two have pasted since Jack's death. Two years of loneliness, heartache, and regrets. Two years feeling emptiness that would never leave him in peace. His Own fault really. He was given so many chances to be together. Jack was counting on it; hoping for it, hoping for him to get some sense and be happy.
"Damn you, Jack Twist," Ennis whispered, "And damn me too."
On a small hill overlooking a herd of cattle Ennis sat atop Cigar Butt at his latest job.
The K. O. Ranch was an up and coming cattle ranch which was paying pretty good wages and with Ennis's years of experiences hired him right away. Even gave him time off to see Junior from time to time. Working here he got to meet some nice fellas. The ranch was run by two families, the Kincaids' and the Owens'. Nice families. The husbands, Rich and Frank, help out a lot instead of just giving orders and supervising.
Their wives, Annie and Beth, were sweet spit-fire females. They weren't afraid to state their minds. You done wrong, they would let you know it. They also mother almost everybody on the ranch which made them loved and feared by all. Then their was the Terrible Three as everyone on the ranch took to calling their kids.
There were the twins, David and Alexandra, or Alex as she preferred, Kincaid and Troy Owens. Put these three together and you got a recipe for trouble. There was never dull moment for Ennis and the rest of the cowboys.
"Ennis? Ennis?!" Startled from his thoughts Ennis turned to see Frank right beside him looking at little concerned.
"Um?"
"I've been callin' your name for the past 5 minutes. What is goin' on with you? You always do this when you out here. Starin' off into the sky. And I wonder what you're thinking about. Ennis, we've known each other for a year now. I'm your friend and I want you to know you can come to me if you need help or just want to talk." Ennis just looked at Frank with a raised eyebrow. "I know you're not the, what did Beth call it, 'touchy feely' type, but sometimes you need to open up and talk."
Ennis blink a few times before looking back out into the night sky. After a few moments of silence Frank sighed before turning his horse to head back to his post. "Have you ever had any regrets about not doing something when you had the chance?" Ennis softly spoke stopping Frank in his tracks.
"Or for not tellin' someone how much they meant to you?"
Frank turned as he Ennis continued, his voice heavy with heart ache and sadness. "I take it you're not talking about about your ex-wife are you? You talkin' 'bout someone else?" Frank came up along side Ennis with their horses facing head to tail. "Ennis,"
"There are just somethings a man can't talk about Frank. Somethings a man don't want or need to hear. So just drop it."
As Ennis started to leave Frank grabbed his arm to stop him. "You can't keep the pain inside Ennis. Why do you think you keep getting in fights? You're venting your pain and frustration and you can't keep doing this. Annie and Beth are ready to tie you down and start their questioning. They are going to mother and smother you till you give," Frank ended with a little laugh.
Ennis lips twitched upwards then turned down in a frown. His eyes filled with sadness and pain.
"Just leave it alone Frank." Ennis kicked his horse forward intending to check the perimeter, just as he was leaving he threw over his shoulder, "The one I cared about is dead because of what we were together, so just leave me in peace." Frank watched as Ennis went riding on into the night wondering about that last statement meant.
His love was killed because they cared for each other?What?
"Ennis Del Mar, one way or another I'm going to get the truth out of you and help you out," Frank said into the night, "'sides I'm not facing those two wrath for this."