A Rancher's Touch
Chapter 9
The next morning was quiet, letting everyone sleep in. It was Sunday, so everyone had the day off to do as they pleased. Chris took this time to sleep in though, curling up on her bed as everyone else messed around outside or played cards. It also left George thinking about last night as he played horseshoes with the boys.
After he'd brought Lennie back inside, he'd started talking George's ear off about things that Chris had told him. How she used to have a place of her own, though George knew it was likely with either her parents or fiancé. More so her parents.
He'd kept going on and on about her little five acre place, how she'd had a big spotted cow, to what she'd had in her garden and fields, even about her brother's dog and the color of it's fur. He did all this with a smile on his face.
At the moment though, Lennie was out in the barn playing with his pup from what George knew, leaving him playing horseshoes with the guys.
"Come on, George, you can do it," a few of the boys called, watching as he lined up the throw.
It landed a bit short though by about two inches. He still felt pretty good about it though, making it that close. He then watched as Slim threw his, coming a few inches close to George's foot, making him move back a bit.
"Sorry about that George," Slim chuckled.
George just kept a smile on his face as he moved forward, picking the horseshoes up in his hands, before handing one off to Crooks. After that, he lined his throw up again and letting it go, watching as it sailed through the air. A moment later, the ringing of a winner echoed around them, cheers being thrown out. It even made him wonder what Chris would say if she'd seen it, making him turn his head back to the bunk house for a moment. He'd check on her in a bit, possibly pull her out of bed and into their little horseshoe game. It'd be nice to see her try her hand at it.
"Anyone wanna go drag Chris outta bed?" Whitt grinned, looking around him.
George was about to say something, but Whitt ran off before he could do anything, running toward the bunk house.
"What do you think he'll do Slim?" Carlson asked, glancing over at the man.
"I don't know, but you can be sure it won't end well."
Then, before they knew it, they heard Chris yelling with Whitt running out the door. He had a grin on his face as he ran out, running back toward everyone, Chris marching out of the bunk house after him.
"Whitt!" she screamed, her face red in irritation.
"What'd you go and do?" Slim asked, eyeing him up.
"Whitt, I swear I'm gonna smacked you!" Chris yelled, making her way over to him as he tried to hide behind the others.
This left George grabbing a hold of her since he was closest to her, holding her back.
"George, let me go," she growled, trying to break loose from his hold, but he wouldn't let go.
"Chris, what'd he do?" Slim asked.
"Well as if it wasn't already bad enough that he was calling me Christine again, the damn punk gave me a wetwilly," she cried, her face turning red in embarrassment.
"Why you," Slim started, smacking Whitt in the back of the head. "Can't you ever leave her alone boy?"
"I say let her go to have at him," Carlson snorted, crossing his arms over his chest with a grin on his face.
"Just calm down," George said quietly, loud enough for her to hear it.
"But it's disgusting!" she cried, trying to wriggle free again, but he still held strong.
"Calm down and I'll let you go," he said firmly, his voice still calm.
"Come on, George," she pleaded, looking up at him.
He loosened his grip a bit at the look on her face, eyes pleading. He was then reminded of her anger though and kept his hold on her, her back against his chest. Then after a moment she sighed, letting her weight lean against him a bit.
"Fine…" she groaned, the back of her head leaning back against his shoulder.
He let go a moment later, allowing her to take a step forward, eyes narrowing a bit in Whitt's direction.
"Well, since you're up now, why don't you join our little game," Slim proposed, gesturing toward the horseshoes.
"Sure, why not," she sighed, looking around for a horseshoe.
She was soon met with one as George held it out to her, a small smile on his face.
"Thanks," she whispered, taking it from his hand, their fingertips brushing lightly as she took it.
She then turned around, eyeing the ground for a moment as she readied her throw. Then, she leaned forward, just for a moment. Her eyes narrowed in on the spot, her arm flying forward, the horseshoe sailing through the air toward it's mark. A ringer.
"Happy now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Slim just chuckled and shook his head as others cheered, her arms crossing over her chest. She was something else, that was for sure.
"Why don't you try again, so 'em what you can do," Slim grinned, knowing full well she could kick all their butts if she concentrated hard enough.
"You just get a kick outta watchin me do this," she grumbled, taking the horseshoe that Crooks held out to her, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Maybe I do," he shrugged. "But you have to admit that it's entertaining watching the looks on everyone's faces whenever you get a ringer," he chuckled.
"So true," she grinned, before throwing the horseshoe, hearing it smack against the metal stake.
She'd been so close, if only it hadn't spun a bit, then it would have landed where it should have. A few of the guys merely chuckled at this, while George gave her a gentle pat on the back.
"Well, at least you're better than me, that's for sure," he said in a friendly manner, making her smile.
"Alright, give her another boys," Slim called, folding his arms over his chest, a grin on his face.
"Here," Pete said, holding his out to her.
She took it from him a moment later, eyeing the metal stake in the ground once more.
"You can do it," George whispered, standing behind her as he watched.
She looked over her shoulder for a moment, their eyes locking with one another, before she turned around. Again, her eyes narrowed in on her target, spreading her feet again. She could hear Slim smacking one of the guys in the back of the head for a comment they'd made, but it made little difference to her. It was just her and the horseshoe.
"Concentrate."
"You can do it."
"Come on, Chris."
And then it went flying, ramming right into the stake with a clinking noise and a ring.
"Oh yeah!"
"Nice job Chris," Slim grinned.
She just smiled at him as she stood straight again, scratching the back of her head.
"Now, if you guys will excuse me, I'm gonna go back to the bunk house now for a bit more shuteye," she said, quickly walking off before anyone could grab her and drag her back.
"Seriously, she just gonna walk away?" Whitt whined.
"Ah, just leave her be Whitt. She's probably still hurting from the other night," Slim said quietly, wiping his brow.
What she really went to do though was write something, scrawling out a short letter.
T
It wasn't long before Candy came walking out of the barn and over to George, his eyes locking with George blue one as he stood there tossing water on himself in an attempt to cool himself off. Candy didn't say a word though, just stared, George's smile slowly falling from his face. He knew that look, but he wasn't sure he was ready for it, not again.
And so, George followed Candy into the barn, his feet moving slowly over the dusty ground. He dreaded what was in the barn, praying to God it was all just a misunderstanding of sorts. He wasn't so lucky.
There in the barn lay Curley's wife, laying there in a pile of hay. She wasn't moving, looking as though she were asleep, but George knew otherwise when he knelt down beside her. He tried shaking her lightly, but she didn't move. George even pulled her up into his arms a bit, but when he did her head rolled off to the side. It was broken, Lennie had broken her neck, even though it was on accident. He'd killed her.
"I can't do this," he whispered, standing up from his spot beside the broken woman.
He didn't know what to do as he got up, walking over to one of the beams. He just stood there shaking his head, before slamming his forehead against the hard wood.
"Damn it!" he choked out, his shoulders shaking slightly as Candy stood behind him, merely watching him with a sympathetic look on his face.
"What we gonna do now, George?" he asked quietly.
"We gotta tell the guys," he managed to scrape out.
"No, we ought to let him get away," Candy told him. "You don't know that Curley. Curley's gonna want to get him lynched," Candy shook out, not wanting to see that happen to Lennie.
"I ain't gonna let him hurt Lennie," George said firmly, sweat rolling down the side of his face, his eyes still a bit watery.
George walked around for a moment, glancing back over at Curley's wife as he tried to pull himself together before he could break down. He couldn't afford to break down here, not now, but he was scared.
"All right, now, listen," he started shakily. "The guys might think I was in on it…so I'll gonna go in the bunk house and then you give me a minute," he breathed. "Then you come out and tell the guys about it and then I'll come along and make like I never seen her. Will you do that?" he nearly pleaded, trying to keep calm.
"Sure, George," Candy agreed quietly, finding it hard his own self.
From there, George slowly made his trek out of the barn, tears in his eyes as he stepped out into the light. He walked right passed everyone, the game completely forgotten now in his mind as he made toward the bunk house, his body on autopilot as his mind fell apart on itself. George knew that this might finally be the end to all things, the end to his dream, the end of his chance at normalcy. Any chance that he might have had with Chris was now over, their short time now coming to an end. Already, he found himself missing it, longing for just one more day.
T
I sat there on my bed, rereading the letter that I'd wrote. It wasn't much, but at least it was something. So, finding myself satisfied with my little letter I reached over, placing the folded paper into George's jacket pocket. It was then that George came in, his posture off and his face scrunched up. I'd never seen him like this before. In fact, I'd never seen any guy like that.
"George?" I called out his name hesitantly, slowly standing from my bed.
He just pulled Carlson's gun from under the bunk, tentatively grabbing a bullet from the shelf.
"George?" I hesitated, making my way toward him.
Finally, he looked up at me, his eyes broken and teary. There was definitely something wrong.
"Geogre…w-what happened?" I whispered, reaching out and placing a hand on his arm.
The poor man looked so vulnerable standing there in front of me that it broke my heart.
"You'll find out soon enough," he whispered, walking passed me and grabbing his jacket, before pulling it on.
I felt myself start to shake as I stood there watching him. He was so shaken up, his face looking as though he'd lost all hope. It left me with a fearful feeling.
"George," I whispered.
"Slim, somethin happened to Curley's wife!" I heard Candy yelling form outside.
That's when it hit me. Lennie.
T
I stood there, staring out at the scene before us. It left me shaking as I stood there near George, my back pressed against one of the beams. I could feel my eyes start to sting. She was dead, Curley's wife was dead.
"That loony son of a bitch done it," Curley breathed out, holding Lennie's cap in his hand.
There was no disputing it now, Lennie had killed her. The thought tore away at me.
"I'm gonna get him. I'm gonna get my rifle and I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch myself," Curley spat out, before quickly stalking out of the barn.
"I'll get my gun," Carlson announced, moving out of the barn as well.
"I'll go with you," one of the guys said.
"Tom, let's go get the horses," came another and two more were gone, Whitt running along after them as well.
"I guess Lennie done it all right," Slim said quietly, coming to stand before George. "Her neck's bust."
I just kept a hand over my mouth as I stood there, quietly watching as everything went on.
"Lennie could have done that?" Slim asked hesitantly, his hat in his hands.
George's silence was enough of an answer for him.
"I guess we gotta get him," Slim said quietly.
"Couldn't you just bring him in and lock him up?" George asked, trying to plead with him. "He's nuts. He never done this to be mean," he pressed.
"If we could keep Curley in, we might…but Curley's gonna wanna shoot him," Slim told him. "And suppose they lock him up and strap him down and put him in a cage. That ain't no good, George," Slim said, shaking his head.
It was true, something like that wasn't any good. Lennie didn't deserve something like that. He didn't deserve a torture like that, being locked away for the rest of his life, that wasn't anyway for someone like him to live.
"Come on men, let's get a move on it!" Curley yelled, walking back in with his gun in hand.
"The bastard stole my gun, it ain't in my bunk," Carlson exclaimed.
"The nigger's got a shotgun, take his," Curley said.
"Curley, maybe you'd better stay here with your wife," Slim suggested, not wanting him to come on this little hunt.
"Oh, no, God damn it," Curley grinned madly. "I'm gonna kill the son of a bitch myself," he said, locking eyes with George just to rub it in. "Come on! Let's move!" he yelled, quickly walking out of the barn.
Everyone else followed, a mess of horses outside as they piled around, mounting up on the horses. I just followed quietly behind George and Candy, arms wrapped around myself. It was obvious that there was a chance George wouldn't be coming back after this. There was something inside me nagging at the back of my mind telling me so.
"Whitt, Carlson, you fellas right with me," Slim said, moving toward his horse.
"Anyone finds him first, you hold him till I get there cuz I want the first crack at him!" Curley ordered. "Slim, take your men south. I'm gonna take my men north. Let them go!" he yelled, the dogs running free a moment later.
I just watched as they ran off, Curley following behind them as he continued to bark orders. The others came riding up behind him, following close behind, while Whitt and Carlson started off the other way with Slim. God, I couldn't take his.
"What you gonna do?" Candy asked, following as George started walking at a fast pace. "George?"
"I've gotta find Lennie before they get to him," he said hurriedly.
"You gonna help him get away?" Candy asked.
"I don't know, I…I don't know what I'm gonna do," he said frantically, jumping over the fence.
"George!" I called out, but he was already running toward the trees.
"I'm sorry!" he called over his shoulder, putting everything he had into running.
I couldn't take it anymore as I stood there, tears slowly falling from my eyes.
"Candy," I whispered, watching George slowly disappear.
His eyes were full of sorrow as he stood there, turning his head and staring back at me. I realized that his hopes had been dashed. It's also when I realized something else. He was headed toward the river.
I felt my eyes widen slightly in realization as I stood there.
"I know where he's going!" I exclaimed, quickly running off toward the bunk house.
I nearly tripped as I scrambled up the stairs, slamming the door open. I then went over to my bed, tugging the mattress up and grabbed what was there. After that, I scooping up George's blankets and belts up into my arms, along with the rope. I couldn't let him leave without his bindle. I knew better then that.
"Chris?" I heard Candy called out.
"I'm sorry Candy, I have to hurry," I said quickly, running out the door.
I grabbed the only horse that was left, mounting it as I gripped the reigns.
"I'm gonna get them out of here," I said, kicking the horse hard in the sides. "Come on boy!" I cried urging him forward toward the fence.
"Hurry," Candy cried, watching as I raced toward the fence, pushing the horse into a jump.
He went flying over the fence in a heartbeat, racing forward down the path.
I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try. I knew they were already good as canned and Lennie was as good as dead if anyone got a hold of him. I couldn't allow that to happen though. I couldn't let them kill such a gentle man. I also couldn't let them put it on George either and that's why I had to get to them before it was too late.
"Come on, faster," I hissed, kicking the horse in the sides with my heels again, riding him low.
He kept running, galloping down the slope, nearly tripping down it. I kept the reigns wrapped tight around my wrists though, guiding him passed the trees and roots, pulling him off to the side as we hit a drop.
"Come on," I breathed, pushing him harder.
I could hear the dogs barking in the distance, the guys taking a far different path than what I was. I knew that if I kept on this path that I'd reach George in no time.
As I rode, my mind kept wandering back to the talks that I'd had with George, the time that we'd shared. I was reminded of Lennie, the innocent childlike nature that he held. I went back to their smiles, George's laugh. I thought back to his gentle touch and his quiet nature. The man had been kind enough to offer me his jacket when I was cold, he'd come after me when I was upset, I'd told him about my ex and he'd listened to me, he'd saved me from falling out of the wagon. Lennie had sat with me and kept me company the night Carlson had shot Candy's dog, putting me at ease, he became my friend like George. I'd heard their dreams and ambitions, the things that obviously kept George going. I couldn't let all of that just disappear.
I was almost there, I could feel it as the branches caught in my hair, other scratching and cutting at my face. It tried pulling me back, that was, until I heard the gun shot.
"No…" I whispered.
I could feel my heart stop as I fumbled, nearly falling off my horse.
"Lennie…" I whispered, tears forming in my eyes, the sound of dogs barking meeting my ears.
That was when I got off my horse, running forward through the water. I found George a bit further up, sitting there on his knees, gun in hand. Lennie was laying on the ground motionless.
"George," I choked out, catching his attention.
He looked like a wild animal that'd been backed up into a cage. He was scared and frightened, that much was obvious.
"George," I whispered, slowly moving toward him.
He just sat there, not even bothering to get up from where he sat.
"I-I had to," he choked out, his face in his hand. "They would have killed him."
"It's alright," I whispered, falling to my knees beside him.
Like him, I too found myself shaking , not knowing what to do. I just pulled him toward me, pulling his head against my chest as I gripped the back of his jacket. I felt him grip my shirt we sat there, his body shaking. I knew why he'd done it, I knew why he'd shot Lennie. He'd done it to protect him, protect him from Curley and the others. I also knew that he'd done it out of love. George loved Lennie like family, he couldn't let someone else kill him, that's why he did it. He'd had no time to make any other choice and so he had to shoot him.
Soon after, Curley and his men were upon us, obviously hearing the gun shot.
"I said not to kill him!" Curley yelled, glaring daggers at George.
"Leave him alone Curley," I warned, sitting there with him.
That didn't go over to well with Curley as he got off his horse and walked over, making to grab George. I stood up though, blocking him from Curley's on coming assault.
"Leave him the hell alone Curley," I glared, pushing him away.
He grabbed my arm though, twisting it a bit.
"I suggest you get outta my way Christine," he seethed.
"No," I said definantly as I stood there, glaring at him.
"What was that?" he asked, pulling me close until I was nose to nose with him.
"I said, no."
He was probably only three seconds away from hitting me when Slim came in, pulling him off of me.
"That's enough, Curley, it's done," Slim said, blocking me from his view.
I just sat back down with George, placing my hands on either side of his head. He looked so broken, so destroyed and crippled. He looked like a shell of a man.
"I promise you, it'll be alright," I whispered, gently rubbing my thumb back and forth over his cheek as I tried to wipe away the tears and the wetness of his eyes. "Go home, Curley," I ordered, refusing to look at the outraged man.
"I won't be told what to do by some damnable woman!" he shouted.
"Go home boy," I hissed, drawing George to me once more.
Okay, that was chapter 9. This also means that we are now at the end of the book, but don't worry. This is NOT the end of the story, there's still more coming. PLEASE remember to REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings on this chapter/story. I REALLY want FEEDBACK on this chapter. Feedback helps me write and makes me happy. Anyway, let me know what you think PLEASE? Also, don't forget to check out my PROFILE for other STORIES that you might like. I've got a wide variety. Thanks everyone!
