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 Seven
The sun was just rising signaling the start of a new day at the K.O Ranch. The rooster was just making it's way out to sounds it's alarm, to tell all who heard it was time to rise and shine. Time to face another day.
"Cock-a -doodle- doo!Cock-a-doodle-doo! Cock-a-ahhhh," out of no where a shoe hit its target right in the kisser.
"Shut up!" came a annoyed voice from the second story of the main house.
"Alexandra Jean Kincaid stop throwing your shoe at that rooster!"
"Yes mother!"
Ennis felt a smile creep on his face as he lay in bed in his room on the other side of the house. Another normal morning at the K.O. Ranch. Alex was not a nice person first thing in the morning. No, that was an understatement. Alex was not nice till 11am. Just like Junior was as that age. "Must be a girl thing," he murmured to himself.
The sun was just peaking into his room since it faced the east. When first offered, Ennis didn't feel comfortable to be staying in the main house when he should be staying with the other men, but the girls insisted so he chose a small east facing room on the back-end of the house. Painted in cream and highlighted in light blue and greens the room gave off a welcome glow. When laying here Ennis wonder if life would have been like this if he took Jack up on his offer. Would they have had a good working ranch with friends like this? Could every morning have been this peaceful and content waking up next to each other, just lying in bed and watching the sunrise. "Jack always loved sunrise," Ennis whispered into the silence of his room. Glancing at the clock on the night stand a slow smile crept up as he began to count, "Three...Two...One."
"AHHHHHHH!! YOU LITTLE MONSTERS I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!! MOM THEY DID IT AGAIN!!!!!!!"
Ennis just shook his head and chuckled as he rose from his warm bed and got ready for another day. Heading for his bathroom Ennis made sure to lock his door before going about his morning routine; no need to get in the middle of of those three today. He learned that the hard way when the boys decided to hide in his room after dosing Alex in cold water. Damn that water was cold, he shivered at the memory of it. While brushing his teeth the door handle rattled, after that didn't work there came rapid knocking. Still ignoring them Ennis cocked his head, listening as the knocking stopped and there was a shout of 'Run' followed by a furious 'I'm going to beat you two to a bloody pulp', soon the echo of retreating feet faded and Ennis soon continued with his routine. Ennis loved those kids, but he was so glad they weren't his. Yep, just another normal, loud morning at the K.O. Ranch house.
No more than 40 minutes later Ennis walked into the kitchen to a common sight. Frank and Rich were sitting at the large round table with a cup of coffee both reading the newspaper , both dressed in jeans t-shirts; well Rich was in a nice plaid button down while Frank wore a T-shirt from California with a smart ass comment on it, 'Shit. It happens.' (1) Ennis liked that shirt. Beth and Annie...not so much, but what could they when he wore it out to help on the ranch, so they let it go, along with a few other shirts he wouldn't part with.
Sitting across from them was a slit eyed Alex. If you didn't know better you'd say she was asleep, but then she'd suddenly move dispelling that notion. She didn't look any worst for wear; her hair was, wet but at least her clothes were dry. What ever they did she must have showered to get rid of whatever it was. The pranks those three pulled on each other caused a lot of clothes to be cleaned; and a lot of showers to be taken. Ennis still remembered the prank war those three started when they missed their intended target and hit Jackson, a newbie at the time. He declared war and the prank war started. After a two days the towns folk stayed away till the all clear was given. It was the funniest, if not the messiest week, that the ranch had ever seen. Pictures during the war were hung up in the front rooms, and dinning area for all to see; even a picture of him in what can only be describe as pink slime. No one asked no told, but all stayed away from Ennis for the rest of the day.
The sound of a throat clearing brought Ennis back and looked around to look at Rich. Raising an eyebrow at him Rich asked his question again, "I was asking if you would like to go with Beth and I to look at some cattle and equipment in Texas. We all know you have the best sense when it comes to picking cattle for breeding."
Ennis just blinked. "Um, why is Beth going and not Annie? She always goes with you."
"Well usually yes, but according to an old friend, the owner of the equipment place is a ...um..."
"A hard ass," Beth spoke up while filling up everyones plates again. Everyone froze in place and looked at beth with wide eyes. It was well known that Beth only when she was either really annoyed or pissed. Alex was now wide awake and the boys had stopped at the doorway, just coming out from hiding, and just stared at her with just a little fear. Frank, Rich and Annie just looked at Beth with questions in their eyes, while Ennis just looked at her waiting for her to continue. After about two minutes of silence Beth looked up and around the kitchen. Looking a little embarrassed by her outburst Beth looked at Ennis and went on.
"I've heard of this woman before and she is like steel; cold and hard. I heard she was a widow, but that she didn't really shed a tear over it. Didn't even close down the business. I remember hearing about how horrible death her husband suffered. Had to have a close casket cause his..." she trailed off realizing what she was about to say in front of the kids. Turning back to the counter she continued, " Well. Lets just say his body wasn't appropriate for others to see."
"What happened to him Mom?" Alex asked, the boys chorused a 'yeah' in agreement.
"He was in a car accident; so they say," was her response.
After about minute or two thinking over the mystery behind that last statement Rich turned back to Ennis and asked, "Well, you wanna go with us?"
Alex snorted, then just broke out in full laughter. The boys and Annie, Beth, and Frank soon followed. Ennis's lips twitched, trying to fight the smile trying to appear at Rich's innocent out of place question. Rich blinked. Then blinked again.
"What?" Rich asked, confused as to why they were laughing. That just set them off again and Ennis lost it and laughed right along with them. Rich went over what he said in his head and finally like a light bulb going on he got it and blushed and smiled in embarrassment. "Alright, stupid thing to say. Ya'll don't have to laugh so hard."
Annie got up and went over to her husband and hugged him from behind, "Don't ever change love; don't ever change," she said with a smile.
Breakfast soon went underway and Ennis agreed to go with them thinking it might be nice to be out and that he could drop by and see Francine who just married a doctor and moved to live with him in Amarillo in Potter County. Her last letter was filled with joy and excitement about life in Amarillo. Though Junior lived close by in Casper with her husband and son, Francine had stayed with Alma and Bill in Riverton while he now lived farther away in Douglas.
Seeing her would be great. She did give him that open invitation. Since moving here Francine started writing him and visiting him at the ranch and soon they became closer than they ever, which Alma was not happy with when she discovered how close they were at Francine's wedding. Readying himself to another day of work Ennis looked out onto the ranch and smiled.
Yeah, he thought, I'll surprise her with a visit. Be nice to see how that boy is treating my baby. Maybe this won't be so bad.