TWENTY


Nov. 27th: 1530 hours

"...Since there was so much rain falling, we knew we had to move the cattle out of the river bottom before they drowned in the floods. My dad, my three older brothers and the rest of the ranch hands were moving the main herd across the river. My mother, my younger brother and Sarabeth were in another pasture driving the other stock to higher ground, as well. That left my other brother, me and the oldest hand we had, Moss Elliot, to drive our old bull, Caesar, across the water."

"Now, Moss wasn't too happy about having to ford that muddy river. That water was already churning. And it was getting higher all the time. I don't reckon he could swim, either. Every time Houston and I tried to move Caesar into the water, Moss would say: Let him eat some more, boys. We've got plenty of time."

Fannin MacAllister was the center of attention. His name had been drawn for the 'Fireside Chat' and the topic was animals. Everyone, almost everyone anyway, was listening to his story with enjoyment.

"This went on for a while. The river water was rising even more and more and was swirling by faster and faster. It was starting to get dark, too. But Moss just let that bull eat all the grass he wanted. Finally, my dad left the herd and came back for us. He swam his mare over to our side of the river and asked what the problem was."

"And Moss replied: Mr. Austin, this bull just don't want to swim no river. He just wants to eat."

"My dad cussed a bit and then he said: Elliot, get this bull moving into that water, now! We came to ferry Caesar, not to graze him!"

Fannin grinned at the moans from the audience. Sarabeth, laughing hard, applauded her brother. She looked at Major Winchester who was sitting beside her.

He shook his head in dismay. "The whole family's afflicted," he confided to Lieutenant Kellye who was sitting on his left.

"I know," she replied as she laughed. "Isn't it cow-ful?"

"It's also cow-tageous." The oldest Texas brother, sitting next to her, commented. He was smiling in delight at the dark-haired woman.

"So I have noticed," drolly, the major responded.

Father Mulcahy spoke, "Thank you, Captain. Now then, friends, Roman Catholics and other country men," he smiled at the people's reactions and drew another name from the selection box, "our next participant is...B J Hunnicutt. However, we're going to take a short intermission before B J comes to thrill us, while more coffee is brewed and popcorn is popped," he announced.

Sarabeth MacAllister checked her watch. "I might as well leave for my shift, now. That way, I won't have to interrupt anyone." She gathered her coat from beneath the bench. With quiet courtesy, both Major Winchester and Colonel MacAllister stood with her.

"I'll walk you over there," Fannin announced as he approached. Slipping into his leather flight jacket, he asked, "Ready, little sister?"

"Ready, big brother," she replied with a grin.

Hawkeye Pierce stopped them on their way out. "I'll be on duty in a little bit, Sarabeth. I want to hear B J's story, first."

"Why don't you just stay here, sir," the nurse suggested. "There are only two patients in post-op. I'll call you if I need you," she offered.

Pierce smiled at her. "Thanks. You can call me if there's a medical emergency, too," he smirked.

Scowling at him, Fannin led his sister outside.


"Are you all right?" he asked as they walked across the compound.

"Yes." She shrugged. "I'm just trying not to worry. That's a multilevel chess game he's playing---with some very dangerous players."

"I know," her brother confided in a low voice. "When I found out, it was all I could do to keep from going after Fl…the trouble maker," he corrected himself.

"Me, too," his sister admitted.


"Your limp is more pronounced, tonight," MacAllister observed as they neared the hospital building.

"It's just cold weather ache," Sarabeth answered with a shrug of her shoulders. "I bet we're going to have sleet by tomorrow night."

"I hope not. They ground the whirly-birds when there's ice. And I hate to just sit around. Of course, I wouldn't mind waiting around here. There are some pretty ladies here."

"That's why I have been trying to get you to visit me, brother mine," Sarabeth retorted.

Fannin grinned back at her, "So who's available, sister mine?"

"Houlihan and Baker are married. Smith's engaged. The rest are hoping for your undivided attention."

"Except Kellye," he noted with a grin.

She agreed with a laugh, "Yes, I reckon you'd best leave Kellye alone."

"I wonder if she has to stand on a ladder---just to kiss him."

"Fannin!" Sarabeth objected.

"OK! OK! I won't say anything else about those two. What about you, little sister? I've noticed that there are several men here who like to follow you with their eyes."

"It's still a semi-free country."

"Some of them are mighty free with their suggestions, too."

"They're harmless. And you had best not do anything to them!" she warned. "I have to live with these people."

"Crockett's already given me that lecture," Fannin informed her. He changed the subject. "What's the name of the blonde nurse, again? The one with the big..." He used gestures to finish his sentence.

The woman shook her head. "I should have known. That's Sherry Riggs. And I'm her relief, tonight."

"Then, this is my lucky night! I don't reckon she has a tent to herself, does she?"

"No. But you're welcome to use the ranch house," the younger MacAllister stated.


Fannin waited until the nurses had completed their medical rounds. He kissed his sister on the forehead before offering to escort Lieutenant Riggs to the mess tent to join the festivities there. Or would she prefer to go to a place...more private?

Sarabeth grinned at the two of them in friendly affection as they left together.