Chapter 1 [West Range—Two Months Following "Renewal"]
Sol dipped along its afternoon descent. Within the following two hours, it would be completely behind the trees along the ridge line. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Cattle fed and mooed at one another on one side of the grass. The mustangs fed on the meadow's other side.
Blue tipped his hat. His eyes watched the new ranch hands. He'd split them into two groups. Arigo, Reno and Bart worked with the cattle. Ira, Chad Stonor and the newest hire, a slender Native American, insured that the mustangs stayed in the pasture. At least most of these guys have worked for Pa at Chaparral. Can't believe Old Man Rollins sold his ranch and went back east! Hey. We needed the men. They needed jobs. He patted Soapy's flank. "Let's see what we can do." He rode toward the cattle. "Hey, Reno. Are these cattle all branded? Think we can check them over? Sorry orders from the hacienda."
"El Padron wants to double check? Sure thing, Blue." Reno considered his new foreman. Respect granted a better view of Blue. He recalled Blue as the wet behind the ears boy who'd just lost his mama to an Apache arrow. Frustration had goaded Blue into tantrums and mistakes. Courage and Grit, however, earned him a place. He recalled standing beside the younger man at the firing wall, watching him take the Heavyweight Boxing Champion to a dead tie in the ring and standing up to military officers at the fort.
Respect had definitely honed a place for Blue Cannon all right….
"And if they aren't, Blue?"
"We can drive them back toward the hacienda. Can't imagine there's more than maybe four or five that need a brand. I'm going to check on the mustangs. Then I'm heading back to the hacienda. We get this taken care of and things will look a whole lot better. Thanks!" Blue grinned.
Reno tipped his hat. "Be back!" He rode back toward the livestock.
Like I said, it sure helps when you got guys who know you. Blue urged Soapy toward the mustangs. He kept his trek wide so as not to spook the herd. "How are they looking?"
"They're grazing. We're all right. It's been real quiet, Blue. No sign of Apach or Comancheros," Ira reported.
"Good." Blue nodded. His eyes met the hands' eyes. "You know how that goes. Just make sure nothing comes over that ridge line." He looked over the mustangs. "We got to drive some of these into Tucson in a few days."
Ira nodded. "Yeah. We'll make sure they're ready for the trip, Blue. How's everything else at the hacienda?"
"Everything's real good. I'm just glad that we've got everything set up. Just need to finish moving in at the hacienda. You know, Ira, sure am glad you were able to come back. Arrigo and you keep an eye out." He rode around to the newest ranch hand. "Say, Wind?"
Wind picked his head up. He raised an eyebrow. He assessed his new foreman. "Maybe you realize that we could be doing something else?"
Indignation and Surprise jarred Blue. "Excuse me? I think I know what I'm doing." He sighed. "Well you can ride back with me. I'm sure Señor Montoya or I can find you something else to do. Just stay right there." He saw Reno riding toward them. "Yeah, Reno?"
"Just checked them all myself, Blue. They all have our brand on them. Still want me to come back?" Reno eyed Blue and then Wind. What the Hell just happened? He looked at Ira.
Ira shook his head as if to say 'Don't ask'.
"I think four guys will be good. We're heading back to Chaparral for the last wagonload. You need to get anything else from their bunkhouse?" Blue noted.
"Nah. I'm good. Say hi to everyone for me," Reno declined. "Need anything at the hacienda?"
"We're good. Just keep an eye on those mustangs and livestock. We don't need anyone running them off." Blue looked at the group. "I really appreciate the job you're doing, Fellas. Keep up the good work." He squinted at Wind. "Let's go."
Wind spurred his horse back up the hill path and toward the bunkhouse.
Blue shrugged. He could see Challenge rearing its head in Wind. How that would pan out might shake things up at the new place….