Chapter 6: Arrival
It didn't take as long as I thought it would for the cattle to arrive. In fact, it only took a couple of days. Several, large, semi-trucks had come and gone since morning. Edward had them unload the cows into one, large pasture corral. That way we could release ours, and divvy up Paul's.
The last truck was pulling out from the barn when I came back outside with my checkbook. I was thankful to not have to drive the hour or so to Telluride just to pay. The truck idled loudly. Edward closed the pen gate and I jogged up to the driver's cab. I had my check hot and ready. I reached up, and the old gentleman with hardly any teeth, flashed a smile full of gums.
"Thank ya, ma'am." He said, as he took the check.
I grinned, "Thank you," as I stepped away from the monstrosity of a vehicle and waited for him to pass.
The roaring of the engine was loud and spooked the horses. They cried out in surprise from the barn behind me. We watched the semi leave, and Edward came up beside me.
"Well, cowgirl, are you ready to push them out?" He asked with a smile. Most times it was difficult for me to understand how Edward meant things. Just as soon as I felt him flirting, he'd stop and become closed off. I couldn't figure it out, but I grinned back at him.
"I haven't ridden a horse in fifteen years."
His smile was infectious. "It's like riding a bike, I hear." I laughed, and prayed that he was correct.
Seth and Jules were already in the barn, along with Garrett, preparing horses. Jules and Garrett had been teaching Seth how to ride a horse, practicing for hours, each day. He was a fast learner and fearless, so he caught on quick. I was just glad to see him out of the house. It was a warm and bright summer day, and the scent of wildflowers came over me each time the breeze picked up.
I had applied layers of sunscreen, grabbed my mother's old cowboy hat, and had my riding boots on. I felt both anxious and ready to get back in a saddle. Seth smiled as I came in the barn.
"Nice hat. I got your horse ready, Mom," He told me proudly. I walked up to him and place a hand on his back.
"Thank you, darling."
"Don't be nervous," he said. I nodded slowly.
"Hey Seth," Edward said, coming up beside me. "I already have a horse in mind for your mom." Seth gave him a look then grinned, and I frowned at their silent words. Edward walked ahead of me and I slowly followed. Seth shrugged still smiling.
Edward walked to the back of the barn and opened the last stall door.
"This is Cleary, your father's horse."
"Oh, so it's ancient?" I said teasing, as I stepped inside the stall. The horse was magnificent. She was tall and white with crystal blue eyes and light freckles on her face and shoulders. Edward chuckled.
"Your dad bought her not long before his passing. She hasn't been ridden much, so I thought you could work her in." I looked to Edward then to Cleary. Her size was intimidating, but she was kind, I could feel that. I reached a hand out to stroke her long nose, and she leaned into my touch.
"Okay," I told them both. Edward beamed and led the horse out of her confinement. Jules came up with a saddle blanket and bridle, with Seth following. He held a large western saddle.
"She's so big," Seth said dazed.
After everyone had a horse, and that was ready to depart, it was time to mount. I was already regretting doing this, knowing just how sore my thighs would be tomorrow. Alice and Jasper came to the barn to help Seth and Jules, while Edward stood next to me. I watched my son mount his paint horse with ease. His deep laugh sounded throughout the barn. I saw Jules watching him with big eyes and a wide grin.
"Ms. Swan?" Edward asked, taking my attention. My head snapped back to look at him. His green eyes looked down to the stirrup he held.
I took a deep breath, and stuck my left foot in. My right hand grabbed the back of the saddle, while my left hand held the reins and saddle horn tightly. Just before kicking off the ground with my left foot, I looked back to Edward.
"Call me Bella, please," I asked quietly. "Everyone else does." He nodded and reached up to flick the tip of my hat. It was too big on me, but I needed it for protection. He grinned, and my insides flipped. Feeling both satisfied and afraid, I used that emotion to push me off the ground. I swung my leg over and landed perfectly on the saddle, atop Cleary.
I was literally and emotionally up high. It was empowering, especially when I looked back to Seth again. He steered his horse out of the barn, following behind Garrett. I heard Edward mount his dark, chocolate brown steed that Jules called Forest, from behind me. I took a firm grasp on my reins and led Cleary out of the barn with clicking noises from my mouth. She did as I asked, as I knew she would; after all, she was my father's horse. And it really was like a second nature to me. I hadn't forgotten as much as I thought.
Edward took the head of the line and stopped just before the cattle gate. The cows whined and stomped, ready to be set free.
"We have to keep fifty!" Edward yelled to us. "Let's try and keep those fifty inside." We all nodded in unison and spread apart, making a clear path for the cattle to follow. I was at the head along with Jasper. Then Edward reached down and unhooked the latch.
The gate burst open and cows stampeded forward. It was loud, and it took long, but we stood firm in place waiting for them to diminish. I kept a close eye on Seth who was up by Edward.
"Almost!" Edward yelled. "Lost two!" He quickly closed the gate and Jasper took off on his pale horse. I watched as he ran after two cows, but one of them split off in another direction.
I nudged Cleary with my heel and she shot forward. My body moved with my horse like a synchronized dance. I steered the reins to the right, off into the open space to stop the lone cow from running away. I got in front of it, and it stopped dead in its tracks. Cleary stepped forward, pushing the cow backward. I had seen this being done my entire life, but doing it brought a whole new feeling of pride to me. The large heifer tried to divert me, but Cleary was too quick in her movement. The cow obeyed my command and I led her back to the corral.
Edward closed the gate just as my rebel of a cow ran inside. He beamed over at me, and it made my insides melt, until he turned away quickly. Thankfully, he didn't notice my face fall.
"Wow, way to go, Mom!" Seth cheered.
"Thanks baby," I cooed.
"We're gonna go lead them further out, Edward," Alice called. "Bella, do you want to come?" Just then, we noticed Paul, and four other men behind him start up our dirt driveway. My skin crawled.
"Uh, no thanks," I told her. "Seth, why don't you go with Garrett and Jules."
"Okay," He said happily. He trotted away with the rest of the family. Edward watched Paul and his men getting closer. I looked to the right and could see our loved ones far enough away from any harm. Paul worried me. I had a way of feeling when a man wasn't true. Edward walked his horse over to mine, and we waited in silence in front of the gate waiting.
Paul and four other large men on horses stopped in front of us.
"How'd you manage this, Masen?" Paul asked.
"We did," I told him before Edward could speak. Paul chuckled lightly. His men stayed silent, watching us intently. I took notice of to the guns they wore on their hips. Paul moved his horse closer to mine, and Edward froze, frigid.
The air did, too.
"Ma'am, I'm Paul Smith, and it's nice to meet you." He extended his large glove covered hand. I shook it tentatively.
"I'm Bella Swan, I own this land." Paul's eyebrows raised, and his firm grasp released my hand.
"Daughter of the late Charles Swan?" I nodded my answer. "Stubborn man he was. I'm getting fifty head of cattle from the good of him, though," Paul said chuckling.
"Take your pay and leave," Edward sneered. Paul's eyes left me for Edward.
"As you wish," Paul replied darkly. He nodded his head backwards. His men came forward and went to the corral as Edward and I backed away. After unlatching the fence, fifty cows ran from their confinement. Paul's men guided them astray.
"Until next time," Paul cooed. His black cowboy hat only made his eyes darker.
"There won't be a next time," Edward snapped. "Stay off this land, Smith."
"I do believe that it is Ms. Swan's land, Mr. Masen." Paul grinned a sneaky smile at me, making shivers crawl up my spine like spiders.
"Just let us be," I told him firmly. Paul's smile faded, and he dipped his head once, and turned his horse around.
Edward and I watched and waited until Paul and his men left the property line with their cattle. I let out a breath and stroked Cleary's shoulder blade.
"Will they leave us alone?" I asked him quietly.
"We'll see," Edward replied. I looked over to him and I could see his long dark eyelashes beneath his hat. Mahogany colored hair prickled his chin and jaw line. The light breeze in the air pushed his musky scent to me, and I breathed it in heavily. He was a beautiful sight. How could he not feel this electric current running beneath us, pulling us together but keeping us painfully at a distance?
"We need to go into Telluride for supplies," He said. I nodded.
"Tomorrow." I nodded again and didn't bother to ask what supplies we needed. He would take care of it.
Edward left, but then he stopped and turned to me.
"The cattle... Thank you, Bella." I smiled lightly to him. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but couldn't.
I frowned as he trotted out to pasture, taking his beauty with him.