"Back in the Saddle" PART THREE

No mere words could describe how beautiful that Saturday began as Katheryn yawned herself awake, stretching intensely as was her habit as she rolled onto her right side which faced the windowed side of the apartment. Molly had insisted she take the bedroom with the same view that the living space had while she took the smaller one just a step or two away. But Katheryn would not hear of it. After five minutes of polite and joyous confrontation, Molly had gotten her way.

Molly was a sweet soul. Her deepened voice, sincere yet softened smile, mature demeanor, and poised presence made her a joy to have as a friend. Her contagious smile was rivaled only by her ability to be level-headed and dedicated to practicality, truth, and willingness to go above and beyond in every little thing she did or said.

Katheryn sat upright in bed, wiggling her arms back under the covers as she struggled against the intense coolness that overwhelmed her, tempting her to crawl back under the sheltering layers. She fought the desire with all of her might, closing her eyes tightly as she yawned once more. As she inhaled, she seemed to be smelling a certain pleasant aroma that wafted through the apartment. Opening her eyes, Katheryn wrinkled her forehead. Curiosity consumed her. She slowly eased from the bed and ambled to the door, opening it, and easing out into the living space and into the kitchen nearby.

"Well, good morning." Molly's smile greeted her as she spooned up some oatmeal into two bowls and scooted them across the counter to the bar.

"Good morning." Katheryn rubbed at her eyes slightly as she attempted a smile…still unsure if she was even awake or not.

"I decided to get an early start if you don't mind." Molly continued as she went back to the stove and stirred a pot of something that smelled rather enticing. "I figured I would make a little something for the journey." She turned back briefly with a smile.

Katheryn sniffed as she neared the stove. "That's what I thought it was." She grinned.

Molly was pleased as she expressed her approval with a hearty smile. "Thanks. It's a recipe that's been handed down to each Mason girl since Molly Mason was alive in 1873."

"Really?" Katheryn was quite intrigued. Anything with history was sure to grab her interest.

"Indeed," Molly continued. She reached for a couple of thermoses as she spoke. "Molly Mason, my namesake, traveled with her husband John and son Tommy from Pennsylvania to Utah to join the Mormon settlement there. Family legend has it that she came up with the recipe for her chicken soup sometime around those months of travel."

"That's fascinating!" Katheryn was now fully awake. No sleep was ever worth missing a good story from history.

Molly filled one thermos to the top and then reached for the next, passing the one full one to Katheryn.

Katheryn secured the lid on the thermos and set it aside. Then more thoughts entered her mind that began to remind her of the story C.D. read to them all during Ranger Walker's birthday celebration. She wrinkled her forehead, putting a hand to her hip as she remembered the facts with an increasing fascination. "Did—did you say the Mormon travels from Pennsylvania to Utah?"

"Mm-hm." Molly nodded, keeping busy with her chicken soup.

"Do you know a lot about that?"

"Sure do. When my momma told me about the woman who was my namesake, naturally I longed to know more."

"Then…Was the wagon train led by a man named Sam Brazos?"

Molly paused. "Yeah." She turned to Katheryn with equal fascination as to how she knew this. "Except he died when he…"

"…prevented a bullet from hitting a group of young girls after the wagon train was attacked by the Tarpin gang. Ranger Hayes Cooper helped them stay alive." Katheryn finished the thought with a glint of victory in her eyes.

Molly laughed ever so softly. Her amusement shown broadly upon her face. "Exactly. How do you know?"

"I have my sources." Katheryn chuckled, glancing at the clock. "Oh, my goodness. Is that the time?"

Molly nearly panicked also as she looked to her watch. "It is!"

"Miss Cahill said to be at the ranch at ten so that we could get an early start. We should probably just go in one car together to save time."

Molly nodded as she listened. "You're right. I'll finish up here while you eat breakfast."

Katheryn appreciated Molly's industriousness but really didn't have the time to sit down. "Oh, Molly, you didn't have to go through all the trouble of fixing breakfast."

"Nonsense." Molly shook her head, capping the last thermos of soup…five total. "Besides, a hearty breakfast is just what a body needs to get going in the morning."

"I suppose." Katheryn cringed. "I am so not a morning person," she mumbled under her breath as she slowly eased back to her bedroom to prepare herself for the day ahead. Once reaching her room, she selected a pair of suitable jeans, a darkened washed color, and laid them on her bed next to three plaid button-up shirts. All suitable western wear in her honest opinion. Choosing the blued checked shirt with matching navy over-vest, she dressed quickly and secured her hair into two neat half side braids. It would work perfectly with the brand new tanned cowboy hat she had received for Christmas from Miss Cahill. Besides, it suited her perfectly.

Smiling her approval as she briefly looked into the bathroom mirror, Katheryn hurried forward to help Molly prepare to leave. Yet she arrived to find out Molly had already taken the necessary item and placed them in Katheryn's Stingray.

"Are you ready to go?" Molly beamed, gathering her handbag and a cowboy had she had stashed too.

"Absolutely!" Katheryn grinned and put her arm around her new best friend as they made their way out and into the winter coolness.

Spring was getting closer. Yet there still remained that crispness that nips at you every time you take a step into it. The biting winds though would subside if the sun decided to peak through. Well…at least that was Katheryn's hope as she gazed up at the cloud-filled skies while getting into her Corvette and putting it into drive. It was going to be a grand day, she concluded. And no dreary sky could convince her otherwise.

##

Tommy, Tandy, and Tyler sprang from the car as Mrs. Malloy brought it to a stop. The dust cloud had barely set as their anxious steps caressed Ranger Walker's driveway and found a place against the whitewashed fence that lined each side.

"Look!" Tandy's little finger was outstretched, pointing to the paint that galloped in the pasture in front of the ranch house.

"Haha. I see." Tommy propped one foot on the fence bottom and let his arm hang over the top while smiling over his little sister. He pointed to another horse. "You see that one, Tandy?"

The little girl nodded her head briskly, grinning from ear to ear.

Mrs. Malloy made her way over to her little charges and took a place at the fence next to Tommy. "They're beautiful!" She smiled to her little girl and then back at the proudly trotting Texas steeds.

"Hello, all!" Miss Cahill emerged from the ranch house. She raised a hand to wave as her broad smile greeted them from afar. Alex descended the porch steps and hastened towards the Malloys, glancing at the horses that had stolen Tandy's heart. She gently set her arm on the fence as she came to a stop by the little girl. "Which one do you like the best?"

The little girl wrinkled her forehead intensely as she looked towards the paint then the bay then the paint again. She quickly extended her finger in the direction of the paint. "He's pretty!" She exclaimed with glee.

Alex chuckled, her smile showering the girl with a loving glance. "That's a perfect choice, Tandy. Except…it's a she not a he."

"Oh." The little girl frowned embarrassed by her error.

Miss Cahill put her arm around the little girl. "That's alright. You know…" Alex stooped a bit to her level, bracing her free hand against her knee. "I have it on good authority that Walker hasn't even named that horse yet."

Tandy still frowned.

"So…" Miss Cahill continued. "Do you think we could help Ranger Walker with that? I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Alex finished with a sly wink.

Tandy's shy smile returned ever so slowly. "Can I?"

Alex nodded. "You sure can."

The little girls' eyes broadened as the glared at the paint once more. "Bubblegum!" She shouted immediately.

Tommy guffawed aloud. "What kind of name is that?"

Mrs. Malloy softly slapped at Tommy's arm.

"Ow!" Tommy screeched under his breath.

Ty shrugged. "I like it."

Tommy only shook his head. "If you say so."

"I say so!" Tandy gently pounded the fence with the bottom of her fist.

Alex stood back to full height just as the horse slowed to a trot, snorted upward, and then caught a glimpse of Tandy. She slowly ambled towards the fence. A quiet hush fell among them all as the horse nose at the little girl. Tandy was a bit intimidated and stepped back once.

"It's okay, Tandy." Alex encouraged.

Tandy stepped back up the fence and touched the creature on the nose with her finger. The horse seemed to like it and snorted a bit as she remained there as if wanting to be petted more. "Does she like me, Miss Cahill?"

"I think so." Alex also petted the animal on its mane. "Hello there, Bubblegum." Her soft laugh mingled through the cool winds. "I think the name rather suits her."

Tandy giggled as the animal nearly licked her hand.

"Hey there, Bubblegum." Tommy also rubbed the creature. "He seems to like all this attention."

"She!" Tandy corrected, staring her brother in the eyes.

Tommy shook his head and sighed. "Sorry."

"Well, what do we have here?" Alex grinned as a dust cloud formed in the distance. She shielded her eyes from the sun as she squinted to see who was coming. "Looks like Trent's car from here."

"Yep." Tommy agreed, backing off of the fence and turning to see for himself.

Trent put the car in park and stepped out. Carlos emerged from the passenger side soon after.

Little Tandy's small feet scurried across the short distance. She took hold of her brother's shirt sleeve and tugged rather hard. "Come on, Trent! Come look at Bubblegum!"

Trent struggled to keep his balance as his little sister pulled hard. She was rather strong! He kept from stumbling the short way as he chuckled. "Hold up, Tandy. Who's Bubblegum?" They came to a stop at the fence only to see Bubblegum trotting in the pasture once again.

"There!" Tandy pointed strongly towards the paint horse.

Trent squinted against the sun. "That's Bubblegum?"

Tandy nodded proudly.

"He's beautiful." Trent agreed.

"She!" The entire group called out sharply in unison.

Trent lifted his hands barely in surrender. "Sorry."

Carlos propped up his foot on the fence. "This is a nice place."

"Sure is." Trent chimed in, looking it over in awe. "I'd love to have a place like this someday."

Tommy rolled his eyes. "And who would keep it up while you chase down a bad guy?"

"Good point." Trent confessed.

Carlos turned as yet another dust cloud lifted and mingled with the morning mists. "Looks like Kath."

"Yeah. At least that's what you're hoping." Trent teased with a smile.

Carlos ignored him with a roll of his eyes, smiling as the red Stingray pulled to a stop beside them.

"Hiya!" Katheryn emerged from the car in cowboy-clad attire.

"My, my." Carlos smiled. "You look like you're dressed the part."

Katheryn raised her eyebrows as if it was obvious she should be dressed as she was. "So? Where's your cowboy hat?"

Carlos shrugged, glancing at his makeshift outfit. "At least I wore jeans." It was as if Carlos was begging for mercy…or pleading the fifth. One or the other.

Katheryn laughed it off and helped Molly with the thermoses of soup. She hoisted two towards Carlos and was rather thankful he had been paying attention. Or else the containers would have been dusted with a bit of dirt soon after. Carlos caught them just in time, grunting a bit under their weight as they fell into his hands.

Katheryn issued him a sly smile, turning away slightly as she caught a glimpse of the Malloys in the short distance. "I see Tandy's made a new friend."

Carlos looked towards the crowded fence. He grinned. "Yep. Appears so."

Katheryn looked at Carlos with admiration as she mischievously turned away while he wasn't looking and took an item out of her Corvette. She hid it behind her back as Carlos turned to face her. He squinted and glared at her as if he doubted if he could trust her. He smiled and returned his gaze to the activity beyond them. Katheryn sprang at the chance and hoisted the item from around her back and planted the cowboy hat on Carlos head while he wasn't looking. Carlos ducked away but was too late. Katheryn eyes gleamed brightly as she failed to suppress her laugh.

Carlos sighed as he looked upwards toward the new item. "I get it." He surrendered.

Katheryn eased in front of him and looked him over. "It fits you. Now you are ready to be a cowboy for a day." She nodded with satisfaction.

"Only for you." Carlos glared. Surrender edged every one of his word. He knew there was no avoiding Katheryn's good intentions.

Tandy turned, catching a glimpse of Carlos and Katheryn. "Katheryn! Carlos! Come meet Bubblegum!"

"Bubblegum?!" Katheryn laughed softly, arching her brow as she eased both of her hands into her jeans' pockets and began walking softly alongside Carlos towards the grinning little girl. Katheryn eased in between Tommy and Tandy with a smile.

"She's right there." Tandy pointed for what had to be the hundredth time.

"I see." Katheryn caught a glimpse of the rather beautiful paint. "She's pretty."

Tandy nodded and continued smiling broadly as she set her chin on the fence. "That's Bubblegum."

Alex exchanged a fond glance with Katheryn. "I don't think it's Walker's horse anymore." She ended the comment with a light laugh.

"I think you're right." Mrs. Malloy chimed in as she observed the twinkle in Tandy's eyes. She secretly wondered if it would take all her might to pull Tandy away from the creature.

Alex turned to the entire group. "Walker's inside with Trivette getting the last of the camping supplies packed. Why don't I show the newbies here around?"

Molly stepped forward and to the fence by Katheryn. "Will we each have our own horse?"

Miss Cahill nodded. "Of course. Now…Follow me, ladies."

Molly and Katheryn stepped into sync alongside each other as they traced the path behind Miss Cahill to the barn. Molly leaned into Katheryn and whispered. "I may be teaching the others."

"What do you mean?" Katheryn returned in a whisper with a confused expression gracing her usually confident features.

"I practically grew up on a ranch."

"Really?" Katheryn smiled.

"Yup. Momma tried to keep me in the house. But I was often in the barn fixing the harnesses and shining the saddles. I even finagled getting in on a cattle drive."

Katheryn's mouth opened in amazement. "Really? That's incredible."

"Here we are ladies." Alex announced their arrival as she eased into the already-opened barn door. She eased it open some more for the young women as they followed.

Easing into the space, the troupe was greeting by a few more horses. They neighed a bit and kicked at the hay underneath their broad bodies as they looked eagerly at the new faces that entered.

"Alright," Alex stopped at the group of saddles. "We need to get these horses saddled and ready to go."

Molly immediately dove in, taking up a saddle pad in hand after Miss Cahill and entering the first stall. Securing the horse to the tying ring on the wooden wall, she went to work, laying the saddle pad on the horse's back and then the decorative blanket that she had brought also.

Teamwork fell into place as Katheryn hoisted the saddle up from the shelf and followed Molly. She lifted it, letting it gently settled into place on the horse. She turned her back to the horse's face as she went to work tightening the front cinch, bringing it under the creature's belly and securing it through the buckle snuggly before weaving it in and out until the leather strap had all been used up. She tucked the leftover flap in gently just as Molly secured the back cinch. Molly bent low, sliding her hand in between the horse's belly and the cinch to be sure it was loose enough.

Molly stood back to her full height and offered her roommate a broad smile. "All done."

Miss Cahill entered the stall and looked over their work with an approving smile. "You guys did great. Can you handle the rest?"

The two young ladies' nodded and proceeded to saddle the rest of the horses in the barn. They were done in no time and began leading each horse out of their stalls and out of the barn just as Rangers Walker and Trivette emerged from the ranch house with camping supplies in tow.

"There they are." Trent beamed. "I see Alex put you both to work." He grinned towards Molly.

"What's important is that she chose the right workers." Molly grinned slyly.

"I see." Trent nodded and eased up to one of the horses. "This one mine?" He turned to Katheryn who was handing off one of the horse to Carlos.

She nodded. "Yep. Sure is."

"Hey, guys." Walker greeted as he neared the foursome. "You all ready to go?"

"Just about." Carlos helped Walker with the supplies he had brought.

"We'll use one of the horses as a pack horse." Walker explained and nodded towards the paint in the corral. "That paint should do."

Katheryn, Trent, and Carlos exchanged wary glances that Walker soon took note of.

"What?" Ranger Walker queried.

Trent sighed. "Tandy had her heart set on that one."

"Oh, I see." Walker smiled, looking to the little girl who had still not managed to pull herself away from the corral fence. "Then perhaps we could distribute the supplies amongst us all and each of us carry a little bit."

The four of them nodded their agreement and proceeded to except the supplies as Walker distributed them to each of them.

"Say…Carlos!" Trivette called out as he hurried down the porch steps and neared the group. "What do you say we do a little living off the land?"

Carlos scoffed and grinned sarcastically, raising a hand and waving Trivette off. "Nope. I'm not falling for that again."

"Falling for what?" Trivette tried to act as if he didn't know what Carlos was talking about.

"That—that jive you tried to hand me back when we were in Utah didn't work then…and it won't work now." Carlos ended with a firm nod as he turned to his horse, secured the few supplies into his own saddlebag, and mounted the horse with an authoritative yet playful fervor.

Katheryn couldn't help but smile as she did the same before mounting her horse with confidence. Although it had been several years since she had ridden, the skills seemed to come right back to her without skipping a beat.

"Alright. I'd best go get the paint saddled up." Walker nodded towards the group before heading into the pasture and securing "Bubblegum" for the day's adventures. Bubblegum was saddled soon after and Tandy had taken her place on the horse. After a brief exchange between an instant daughter and a concerned mother, Ranger Walker decided it would be best if Ty and Tandy rode together. That horse was much too large for just one rider. Tandy's childish selfishness wanted the paint all to herself. But a mother's authority quickly changed all that.

Every person there had nearly readied themselves completely when a rather strange sound alerted them all.

Molly was the first to turn around as she sat atop her horse. "What in the world?"

Most of the group was busy shielding their eyes and straining to see what the slow object was that was coming toward them and kicking up so much dust.

Alex chuckled. "My Lord…Is that what I think it is?" She turned to Walker.

Walker squinted softly. "I think it is."

"Hey, everyone!" C.D.'s voice greeted them cheerily as he struggled to get down from atop the rather large Conestoga wagon that now sat out of place among the cars in Ranger Walker's driveway.

"What in the world are you doing, C.D.?" Walker suppressed the urge to laugh. "And please don't tell me you drove that on the roads."

C.D. eased between Alex and Walker as they sat still on their individual horses. "I sure did, Cordell. It's a piece of history."

"That's obvious." Trivette snickered.

"Now you listen here, Jimmy…" C.D. glared at the younger Ranger.

"C.D…." Walker interrupted. "Are you coming with us?"

"Sure am." The older man smiled mischievously and straightened his cowboy hat atop his head. "It's going to be just like it was in the old west." He grinned heartily and turned to the younger folk. "Besides, these young whippersnappers need a taste of history. And I'm doing just that. Besides, I'll bet you all the chili I brought that they'll have smashing good time even more so since I'm coming along."

A silence hung in the air as C.D. silently pleaded with Walker. It was no use. Walker couldn't say no as he sighed and nodded. "Alright. You can bring the wagon."

"Hot dog!" C.D. clapped in glee and headed back for the wagon.

Trivette grinned towards C.D. as he walked off. "You want someone to help you drive that thing?"

"Nope." C.D. remarked with a huff as he climbed back aboard the covered wagon and clicked his tongue while tapping the reins of the horses ever so easily against their backs. "Giddy up!"

The large group started forward as they were led by Ranger Walker and Miss Cahill. The rest of the group followed eagerly but steadily, calling little by little and urging their horses forward. And of course…C.D. was not that far behind them all as the rumbling of the wagon wheels sent forth echoes of years past into the ears of the adventurous horseback riders that surrounded it. The piece of history called attention to its intricate detail and that feeling that they had all stepped back in time. Traced the years. Returned to another era. And perhaps…Began a journey into the history books that had yet to be fully disclosed.