Well this is it. Last chapter, so thanks to everyone who has reviewed and has read this story.
The Other Side
Chapter 17
"Aim for that black calf." Gil pointed down from his horse. He watched as his son rode over and began to swing his rope. "There you go." He rode alongside Matt as he threw his lasso. "Pull!"
Matt gritted his teeth and pulled the slack skillfully catching the calf. "I got him!" He wrapped the end of his rope around the saddle horn as his father had taught him.
Gil quickly climbed off his horse and threw the calf to the ground. After tying his legs together he returned to his horse to retrieve a syringe. He administered the shot and released the young animal. "You did great." Gil patted Matt on the leg before returning to his horse. "Okay, lets open the gate and let them go out."
"I got it!" Matt rode over to the corral gate and practically hung off the side of his palomino gelding to open it. Gil smiled as he watched his son. Matt re-centered himself in the saddle and watched the small group of cattle follow him out. Once the corral was empty, he rode back over to his father. "I like helping you."
With a smile Gil responded. "I enjoy having you help me."
"Can we go fishing today?" Matt asked pleadingly.
"We have a little more work to do then we can."
"Yes!"
Gil laughed. "Come on." He reined his horse towards their home.
After Nic's death and Jim's departure, Gil took it upon himself to make a home for his family. By hunting and selling elk hides, and finding stray cattle, he made enough money along with what they had brought with them to buy the materials to build a house. He befriended several men in town and their families, and they helped to get their new friends settled in, and by their second winter in the valley, Gil had a new home for them.
It wasn't long after that when Sara revealed that she was pregnant again. Gil was excited and scarred once again. Their closest neighbors were several miles away, and town was even further. But with Bill helping Gil, and Mary helping Sara, she delivered a healthy baby girl. Gil's pride welled even more when he held his daughter for the first time.
"Dad." Matt's voice brought him back from a quick flashback.
"Huh"
Matt pointed. "Bill's coming."
They paused and waited for the man to catch up. "Hey Gil, Matt." Bill extended his hand to shake Gil's. "Got a minute?"
"Sure." Gil replied.
"I was wondering if you would be able to help me get some calves branded today."
"Can we Dad, please?" Matt eagerly asked.
Gil grinned at his son's ambition. "Sure." Matt loudly exclaimed his enthusiasm.
Bill smiled. "He's really into the cattle isn't he?" Gil nodded in return and they rode the two miles to Bill's house.
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"Mom, when is Daddy coming back?" Julie asked as she helped peel some potatoes.
"He'll probably be late. Bill came by asking for his help." Sara peeled alongside her daughter while they talked.
"How come Matt gets to go help?"
Sara paused and glanced at her daughter. "Well, because he's becoming a young man and needs to be able to help with working the cattle."
Julie set down her half peeled potato. "He's twelve."
"And you're nine." Sara stated.
"Almost ten." Julie retaliated. "Why can't I go out and ride with them?"
Sara sighed. She was never one to sit inside and do housework herself, so why should she subject her daughter to it. Julie was a spittin' image of herself, with Gil's work ethic. She always wanted to help. "Okay, let's go saddle the horses and head over to help the guys."
Julie jumped up and ran out towards the horse corrals. Sara followed and helped her daughter saddle the horses. She watched as Julie led her led her horse towards the fence. Without much effort, Julie climbed the fence and leapt to her horse. Sara smiled with pride at her young daughter's independence.
"I'm ready." Julie said and began to leave without Sara.
Sara swung up on her horse as she always had, and followed her daughter. They rode at a steady pace until they topped the rise and looked down at Bill and Mary's home.
Gil was directing Matt through the group of cows and calves when he noticed Sara and Julie approaching. He stopped and met them at the fence. "What are you doing here?"
Sara shrugged. "She wanted to help."
"Please Daddy?" Julie smiled sharing her mother's gapped toothy smile.
He was powerless against his daughter's plea. She would get anything she asked him for. "Okay." Gil waved them over to the gate. Sara climbed off and opened the gate. Julie rode alongside her father while Sara joined Mary next to the fire.
"Hello Sara." Mary inclined her head towards Julie. "She's just like you, hates being cooped up."
Sara glanced over towards her husband as he was showing Julie how to ride through the cows so Matt could catch the calves. "Yeah, I was never one to sit around and watch."
"Got 'em!" Matt exclaimed as he rode out of the herd dragging a small calf behind his horse.
"Good job." Bill praised as he held the calf down. Mary and Sara branded and castrated the young animal before Bill took off Matt's rope and returned the calf to the herd.
The group worked until nightfall before calling it a day. Julie rode in the saddle with her father and fell asleep as they rode home. Matt was trying to tough out the ride and not show his exhaustion. Sara was leading Julie's horse home and keeping an eye on her son. She was afraid he would doze off and fall from his horse.
When they reached their home, Sara took Julie from Gil and went inside. Matt helped his father unsaddle the horses, before sitting down in the hay pile. Even the horses were exhausted and just picked at the hay Gil had thrown them. He wiped his hands and turned around to see Matt sound asleep in the hay. With a grin, he hoisted his son into his arms and took him to the house.
Sara came out of Julie's room to see Gil climbing the stairs with Matt in him arms. "Poor kids, they're exhausted."
"Yeah." Gil replied as he went into Matt's room and laid him on the bed. Sara watched him from the door as he carefully pulled Matt's boots before covering him up. He noticed Sara smiling at him. "What?"
She shook her head. "You're a wonderful father."
He approached her. "And you're a wonderful mother." Gil pushed the candle she was holding aside and kissed her.
"Mmm. Sorry I didn't get dinner ready."
Gil grasped her hand and led her back down the stairs. "I'm not hungry for food." Sara giggled as he pulled her around to stand in front of him once they hit the landing. "The kids are out, and we're all alone."
Sara smiled knowing what was coming. "Whatever shall we do?"
With a crooked smile, Gil dipped down and let his lips intimately touch hers. The feather light touch wasn't enough for Sara and she opened her mouth to invite him in fully. Gil obliged and was quick to taste her. While their tongues dueled, Gil led her to their room.
Their clothes were quickly shed and Gil gently lowered her to the bed. Sara held onto his shoulders bringing him down on top of her. He settled between her legs and continued to kiss her. Both emitted soft moans of delight as Gil moved to her neck. He kissed and nibbled before getting a pull of desperation from Sara's hands.
"Gil…"
He pushed himself up with his arms, and looked into her eyes as he slowly sunk into her. Gil released a sigh of relief as he became fully engulfed in her. "God it's been too long."
Sara giggled. "It's only been a week."
"Exactly." Gil eased his body down still keeping his weight on his arms, allowing his chest and her breasts to touch. As he kissed her, his hips began a slow, deep rhythm.
The tempo was kept slow as they made love until Sara's need grew too much. "Harder. God I need you." Her words came out on heavy breaths from the passion.
Gil pushed himself up to hover over her and slowly picked up the pace. He drove himself hard and deep into her as her hands went wild over his body. Her fingers crossed the back of his shoulders and ran down his sweat covered biceps. He grunted as he felt himself getting close to the end. Sara raised her legs to wrap around his back allowing him to get as deep in her as he could go. Sara's mouth fell open as she became incapable of forming words. Gil's teeth clenched as he felt her shudder underneath him and become tighter. His thrusts slowed as the resistance grew and his body exploded. With a final push, he came deep within her.
His arms gave out and he covered her. Their breathing was fast and ragged; neither wanting to move. Sara managed several loving kisses to his shoulder and neck. Gil pushed himself up off of her and moved to fall heavily out of energy next to her. Sara rolled over to snuggle into his side as their bodies cooled.
After several minutes, she heard a soft snore. Sara sat up and glanced at Gil's relaxed face. He never flinched as she pulled the covers over them before falling asleep next to him.
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Sara was the first to wake. She was careful as she climbed out of bed and went to the kitchen. Her body felt refreshed as she began making her family breakfast.
Matt was the first one down. "Mornin' Mom."
"Hey sweetie. Is your sister up?" Sara asked as she poured batter into a greased cast iron skillet.
"Yup. Where's Dad?" Matt glanced around noticing his father's unusual absence.
"He's still sleeping." Matt turned and headed for his parents room. "Matoskah!" The boy froze and turned towards his mother. "Leave your father to rest please."
With a disappointed look on his face, Matt returned to the small table. He fiddled with a spoon. "What's my name mean?"
Sara turned the hotcake. "Matoskah?" Matt nodded. "It means White Bear."
"How did I get it?" he casually asked before jumping at the hand that landed on his shoulder.
Gil stood behind his son. "Did you do chores yet?"
Matt hung his head. "No sir."
"Then come on." He began leading his son out of the house. "We'll be back." Gil assured Sara. While they were feeding the horses Gil spoke suddenly. "A good friend of mine gave you your name."
Matt patted his horse before returning to his father's side. "Have I met him?"
Gil shook his head. "You don't remember him, but he's the reason you're here. He delivered you, and I'm forever in his debt for that." Matt climbed onto the corral fence and watched his father. "Grey Wolf stood beside me in many battles. When we moved up here he decided to go and explore the land. I haven't seen him in many years."
Once finished they headed back towards the house. Gil paused as he watched the small herd of cattle part for three riders. Unsure of the company, he reached down and rested his hand on his gun. "Dad, who are they?"
"Go inside."
"But…"
"Now please." At his father's tone, Matt quickly ducked into the house. Gil remained on alert as the riders approached. Matt was looking out of the window, watching his father.
"My how things change."
Gil relaxed and smiled at the familiar voice. He walked up to the riders, and embraced Jim as he dismounted. "Damn. How have you been?"
Jim patted his friends back. "Great." He turned to the riders accompanying him. "I'm a grandfather."
Gil narrowed his eyes. "Jordan?" She nodded. "You look well."
"Thank you." She replied. "This is my son, Anthony." The small boy waved from atop his horse.
The door to the house slammed shut getting everyone's attention as Matt ran out. "Oh my, he's gotten big. Hello Matoskah. " Jim extended his hand.
"You know my name?" Matt asked curiously as he shook Jim's hand.
"I do. You weren't even a year old when I last saw you."
Gil glanced down as his confused son looked up to him. "I'll explain later. Why don't you and Anthony put the horses away?"
Matt glanced over to the boy that was about his age and rushed over. "I'm Matt; let me show you where to put your horses."
Anthony hopped off and smiled. Jordan climbed down and handed the boys the reins to her horse. "Come inside. Sara's fixing breakfast. Are you guy's hungry?"
Jim rubbed his stomach. "I could use some of Sara's cookin'."
Jordan grinned. "I'm not much of a cook."
"Look what the wind blew in." Gil spoke as he entered.
Sara was placing a small stack of hotcakes in front of Julie. "Oh my God!" She moved over to embrace Jim. "I can't believe it."
Jim hugged her back. "Me neither."
"Jordan, you're looking good." Sara commented.
"Thanks."
Jim pointed to Julie. "I see you guys have been busy." Gil smiled and looked away fixing another plate of food for his guests.
Sara blushed. "Yes we have been, and not just there."
"I know. I was afraid I was in the wrong area when I saw the house and no cabin." Jim sat down at the table and began covering his hotcakes with syrup.
Once again the front door slammed eliciting a disciplined yell from Sara. "Sorry Mom." Matt rushed in followed by Anthony. "Mom, this is Anthony."
Sara introduced herself and offered the boy some breakfast. While the kids ate, Gil sipped some coffee and continued to talk with Jim. "So, what are your plans?"
Jim swallowed his food and grinned. "I heard your town was looking for a sheriff." Gil smiled at the response. "We got word that Jordan's father had passed, so she's going to reclaim the land."
"I've been grazing cattle over there. The cabin is still standing." Gil stated.
"Actually, I was going to sell the land and work in town." Jordan spoke up.
Gil perked up. "May I make an offer?"
Jordan smiled. "Well I was just intending on signing over the deed to you but…"
"Oh stop it." Jim smiled and Jordan laughed. "Don't let her fool you. We talked about it on the way over here. She's going to open a school in town."
"Really, that will be nice. I'll make sure Matt and Julie will attend." Sara offered.
"We will?" Both kids asked simultaneously.
"Yes." Gil responded for Sara.
"So, I guess we'll all be together again." Jim glanced around at his friends.
Gil raised his coffee cup in response. Sara, Jim, and Jordan followed suit. "To friendship."
They clanged their mugs and each drew a sip before finishing their meal and discussing future plans.
Ta-da. Well it's over. Thanks for reading.
TDCSI
