Cowboys and Critters
Chapter 4: Finding Yourself
Evan was finally old enough to go on short trail rides on his own. No older brothers to set the pace and tell him where he could go. He got to choose, as long as it was on an already existent trail within five miles of the house. But still, he could choose which one. He could go as fast as he wanted. It was just him and his horse. He felt like a traveling lawman on the hunt for some outlaws. Or maybe he was the outlaw on the run from the lawman. It didn't matter to him as long as he was free, even if for a moment.
He loved his brothers. All six of them. He loved playing with them, singing together, and working side by side. But having six brothers could be overwhelming. Sometimes he wanted some alone time. He tried to escape to the barn since he shared a bedroom, but there always seemed to be someone out there too. There was always an older brother nagging or a younger brother trying to tag along. He wanted to go on an adventure by himself, without having to be accountable for or to anyone else.
Brian had finally talked Adam into letting him ride alone. He had snapped at Guthrie one too many times for being a pest. Brian understood, he was a big brother too, but he got to take the jeep into town every other weekend. Evan still had years before he could even drive, let alone get his own car.
He rod along at an easy pace, enjoying his alone time. He watched the new calves frolic through the field. The dumb critters, he couldn't help but love. Horses would always take priority in his life. The cattle that he'd spent his life raising tended to grow on a person as well.
He noticed a disturbance near the tree line. They may be dumb but the cattle were his family's livelihood. The cows were milling around in agitation. They swished their tails as if being attacked by flies and lifted hooves as though standing in muck. He dismounted. Keeping an eye on the most cantankerous heifers he searched the pasture for the problem. He suspected a snake or an especially bold coyote was causing the ruckus. He watched a cow step down and he heard a pained squeak.
The small brown creature limped away from his assailant. It was a baby chipmunk; it climbed up onto Evan's boot for safety. It favored one leg as it started to scale up his denim jeans. Evan could only stare as it slid down his leg with a pitiful sounding chatter. It sat on his foot and stared up at him with dark eyes.
It was as good as dead. Its foot was crushed, toes pointed in the wrong direction. It would never survive in the wild, even if it had the instincts God gave a fly, to avoid humans and ornery cows.
Evan yanked on his leather work gloves. He'd never hear the end of it from his brothers if he had to get a rabies shot because he picked up a wild animal and it bit him. Bending over he scooped up the wounded baby and encircled it in the safety of his palms. It curled up; looking for warmth in the rough fabric.
"I gotcha little guy." He spoke in the voice he used with spooked horses.
He watched in awe as the small creature fell asleep in his hands. He'd never seen such a trusting wild animal. His cows hurt it so it was up to him to take care of it.
He didn't know how to help it. He stood indecisively in the field. Biting his lower lip, he looked around for someone to help him. He needed advice on what to do. The only one there was his horse, patiently waiting for him to remount. He was alone.
He slipped the slumbering rodent into his front shirt pocket. He felt it squirm against his chest as it sought a more comfortable sleeping arrangement. As it stilled he pulled his pocket open to peer inside. The chipmunk was curled up in sleep, not a care in the world.
"I'm gonna call you Alvin," Evan whispered. Mind made up, the young cowboy headed for home. His new responsibility settled on his thin shoulders as he planned how to care for his new animal. And how to keep it a secret from his brothers.