A/N: For everyone's information, I'll probably update mostly on weekends.

Ramona- As you can see, Jack's profession didn't last too long.

GinevraTheNewsElf- Thanks for the support. By the way, your forum's off to a nice start, too. I stopped by there to say 'hi.'

Disclaimer: See Prologue. The New Mexicans are mine, too.

Chapter Two

(October 1, 1910)

Another heat wave poured over him, and Jack wiped his sweat with a red bandana. There he was in Santa Fe, New Mexico on a cattle drive to Magdalena, and he was feeling completely miserable.

"What's the matter, city boy?" Lenny jeered.

"Ah, he's probably just saddle-sore."

"Maybe it's the desert getting to him."

Jack glared back and sat straighter in his saddle. Just the fact that he had gotten this job had surprised all the old cowboys, and he was quite proud of that accomplishment. He figured he would earn their respect given time, and he just had to wait out their teasing until then.

Joe Beeler was the most sympathetic of all of them. "We were all new at one time or another," he reminded Jack, who was gritting his teeth.

"Yeah, I was just thinkin' 'bout my family, though."

"You said you have a wife and kid back in the city?"

"Yeah, I wrote to them a couple of times, but I know how unreliable the mail is."

Joe nodded. "I wouldn't count on them getting your letters."

"Hey watch those strays!" Carter shouted.

Joe and Jack paused to round up the stragglers before continuing to talk.

"What are you doing here, anyway?"

Jack frowned. "Hearding cattle. What does it look like I'm doing?"

"No, I mean what are you doing in New Mexico? You have a family that cares for you back in your home, and that's more than the rest of us can say."

"It's always been my dream to come out here to live the rest of my life away from the crowded city, newspaper deadlines…"

"…and responsibility."

"Somethin' like that."

"Well, you have responsibility, like it or not- a responsibility to your family."

Jack snorted. "This from someone who doesn't have one."

"I used to. My dad moved to New York City when I was five because he wanted a change of lifestyle… but he never sent for my mother or me."

"So, what? You think I'm abandonin' my family or somethin'?"

"That's what it looks like to me."

"Hey, guys!" Carter shouted. "Are you napping over there?"

Jack smiled grimly and charged after the straying cattle.