It was early morning when Gem arrived in Waterton; she hugged LD tightly before she slid out of the truck. Ennis heard the truck and bounded out side, slamming the screen door. "Gem fuckin' Twist!" he whispered as he scooped her up and swung them both in a wide circle. "How've been kid?" he asked ecstatically. Gem smiled dazzlingly, "I can ride, with no pain." Ennis's eyes widened, Gem yanked her shirt up so Ennis could see there were minimal scars and no jutting bone. "I guess the rodeo treats you good?" Gem shook her head, "Lureen's parents took me in, they insisted on me having the operation, she hates that me and Jack are so close." Ennis cupped her face in both hands and kissed her quickly, together they walked up the steps to the ranch house. Alma met them at the door, "Alma this is Gem Twist, Jack's twin." Gem shook Alma's soft hand with her own calloused, scarred one. "I feel like I already know you." a very pregnant Alma said softly.
That whole day the two women worked in the kitchen, fixing a big supper. Ennis sneered playfully at Gem, "I didn't know you could cook." Gem smiled dangerously, "Just because I can ride a bucking bull does not mean I can't cook a lovely pot roast." Ennis shook his head in disbelief. Over the next couple of days he learned much to his surprise that Gem had a feminine side, when they would go into town she would wear a dress Alma let her wear, having let Alma fix her unruly locks and paint makeup on her face. And yet she kept Ennis on his toes, she would greet him at 5am every morning with a smile and work with no arguments in the barn until lunch. She'd even begun to break a young bay colt with a white mask that was too small for Ennis. Alma would come and watch them; Ennis had to stop her from dashing into the pen while the colt ran around it after successfully bucking Gem off.
Late that night Ennis got up from bed parched, he stumbled into the kitchen and pulled the refrigerator open. He started when he saw Gem; she was standing next to the stove fast asleep. Ennis smiled and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Gem leaned into him, still half in her dreams. Ennis turned her head and kissed her slowly and gently. As Gem became more awake she kissed him harder, suddenly their slight fun turned into a passionate embrace. Suddenly Ennis lifted Gem onto the counter and tried desperately to pull her jeans off before they were unbuttoned. Gem placed her had on his chest, "Not here," she panted softly. She leapt off the counter and took Ennis's hand and led him to the barn. They didn't get far before they tumbled into the hay, bodies pushing against each other. Even in his passion Ennis was gentle, not wanting to hurt Gem. Gem however had other ideas; she was the rough one, letting Ennis know with her body she was in no pain.
The next morning Ennis and Alma applauded as Gem rode the colt successfully for the first time. He bucked at little at first but settled into having Gem on his back. When they broke for breakfast Gem was the first one in, she turned the oven on and placed a frying pan on the eye. Alma came in behind her, "You're doing real good with that colt." When Gem didn't answer Alma reached out to touch her shoulder, Ennis caught her hand just in time. Alma stared "What are you doing?" she asked. Ennis sighed, "Alma, Gem's deaf, if she doesn't see you and you startle her she could hurt you really badly." Ennis reached for the salt shaker on the counter beside Gem, she then turned to them "What would you like for breakfast, my treat." Alma chuckled "I didn't know you were deaf Gem." Gem smiled back, "Most people don't, or they learn the hard way." It was Ennis's turn to smile, "Gem hit me on the head with a frying pan."
Over the next couple of days everyone was on edge, Alma's ending pregnancy was fraying everyone's nerves. One night Alma shook Gem from a deep sleep, "The baby's coming!" she said with breathless excitement. Calmly Gem helped her into bed and went to wake Ennis.
