That Girl Is A Cowboy
by Garth Brooks
He wrote this song when someone got him out of a tight spot, when he was on tour, his horse, Checkers, passed away. One of his good old friends waited by the dead horse with a shotgun and managed to keep the coyotes of Checker's body. At daybreak, Garth arrived, and was able to say 'Good by' to his dear old horse.
And he called that girl a cowboy.
As it so happened, Jake and Sam had been dating for less than a year before he when away to college, leaving his mare, Witch, to be cared for by his Brat. And she'd been doing just that. Although, the agreement was that Sam should come and give Witch some attention whenever she could fit it into her busy life. Sam took it as a complement for Jake to be leaving her with his horse.
Lately however, Witch had been getting somewhat depressed, not even bulling the other horses seemed to cheer her up. The midnight black mare stood cemented right next to the gate, calling longingly to her master. Sam had tried everything, join-up, healing supplements, and even chew toys. (bad joke). In short, nothing had helped.
Every time someone opened the gate, Witch would try to bolt out. After several tries, she finally managed to break free, and, left Quinn with a broken arm, without even looking back.
It was a hundred and seven
We were heading to town
She had her sleeves rolled up and the windows rolled down
That girl is a cowboy
Robert Earl was singing out the 'Buckin' Song'
With every word that keen was bringing she was singing along
That girl is a cowboy
Sometimes the best cowboys ain't cowboys at all
She's got my back even when it's against the wall
When I need a friend, she's the one I call
'Cause sometimes the best cowboys
Ain't cowboys at all
Sam and Luke, Jake's father, saddled up and took after her. Tracking her at a canter was no easy task, especially for Luke's failing eyesight. Noon had come and gone, and now dusk was casting a deep orange glow across the Nevada desert. Conversation between Sam and Luke had been scarce and quiet-both were lost in their own thoughts about Jake and his grumpy, temperamental mare.
"Maybe we should head back." started Luke, "It's been hours since we've seen her tracks, and I'm sure she'll last the night."
"I doubt it." stated Sam, pointing at the ground were she'd spotted Witch's tracks. Even Sam could see that Witch was not in a good way, the tracks showed that she was now limping and bleeding.
"Okay, let's keep going. Maybe we'll be able to stay with her this time." said Luke.
So I took her out to show her how to rope and ride
I can't believe that it was me that would up broke and tied
That girl is a cowboy
So that night I decided we should paint the town
I made it home although I really don't remember how
That girl is a cowboy
Sometimes the best cowboys ain't cowboys at all
She's got my back even when it's against the wall
When I need a friend, she's the one I call
'Cause sometimes the best cowboys
Ain't cowboys at all
There she was, laying on the ground. Somehow, she'd thrown a shoe, causing her to limp. But you could tell, that hadn't been what was bothering her. As they neared, though both were staling, walking their horses as slowly as possible, they exchanged knowing glances.
"I guess she got a hold of some poisonous weed, or somethin'" Luke stated gravely, confirming what Sam had suspected.
Sam hoped off Ace, determination written clearly all over her face, and grabbed Luke's gun from his saddle. She grabbed her beef jerky and wrapped Ace's reins around Luke's saddle horn.
"You go ahead and ride back, I'll spend the night with her. You just call Jake and Dad and let them know I'm here. And don't worry about Ace, he'll pony. Alright? "
"It'd be better if I didn't have to tell my son his horse is dead. But, Alright."
Neither spoke, Luke rode off, and Sam took off her jacket and wrapped it around Witch's head. After she'd said her final "good by's" to the large mare, she set to work on building a decent campfire. After that she dragged an old rotten log over near Witch's body, so she'd have something to lean on while she ate her dinner.
The night passed slowly for both Sam and Jake. Jake tried not to cry on the way home because he knew it could be dangerous, but a few salty tears slipped down the young cowboy's face. He drove all night, and arrived at home shortly before dawn. Not bothering to say hello to his family, he hurriedly bridled Ace. He was just going to trust Ace to know were Witch was. In one leap, he landed on Ace's back and got the feeling that his feet were going to drag. Now he really missed Witch. Ace set off at a relaxing lope, Jake didn't know where they were going, so instead of trying to control where Ace went, Jake focused on the disappearing stars. A mental image of his girlfriend's eyes caused him to smile.
Before he knew it, a dim campfire appeared. And, sooner than he would've liked, he was no more than a few yards away from the small, make-shift campsite. He slowed Ace, and couldn't help but admire his dozing girlfriend. Jake almost hated to pry his eyes off the love of his life, only to behold a lifeless horse he's once called his.
Sam woke to Jake's soft whispers. They weren't for her, Jake was just saying 'good by' to a horse he'd raised, more dealt with, from the time she was a foal.
Sam laid the gun down it the soft sandy desert, and crawled the few feet to Jake. She began rubbing his back as he stroked Witch's soft neck. Sam was soon swept up in Jake's tight embrace, and he held her there for a good five minutes. As he held her, Sam and Jake both let a few tears slip down their faces. Repositioning Sam so that their foreheads toughed and their tears mingled, Jake softly kissed his Brat.
"I'm sorry." Sam said remorsefully.
"It's not your fault. It could've happened to anyone." Jake sniffled.
"I love you." said Sam.
I love you too, Cowgirl." replied Jake.
There's just something a cowgirl has
Ain't no cowboys got
Man she's something when she's on of the boys
But something else anytime she's not
Sometimes the best cowboys ain't cowboys at all
She's got my back even when it's against the wall
When I need a friend, she's the one I call
'Cause sometimes the best cowboys
Ain't cowboys at all