A Rancher's Touch
Chapter 6
I awoke early the next morning, only to find the others still asleep. From what I could tell, I was the only one up out of everyone in our bunk house.
I looked over at George as he laid there, his eyes closed, chest rising and falling. He looked so peaceful as he laid there asleep, not a single line of worry on his face. Then I looked at Lennie, finding him laid up on his side facing George, his hand curled loosely around the blanket on his bed.
After another minute or two, I threw my legs over the edge, easily pulling my boots on. I tapped them a couple times on the floor once I got them on, making sure that they were secured. I then walked out of the bunk house, closing the door quietly behind me.
It was chillier out this morning than it was the previous morning, leaving me shivering. Even though I had my jacket and both shirts on right now, I was still cold.
T
When George finally woke up, he rubbed his eyes, turning onto his side for a moment. He was surprised to find and empty bed beside him, causing him to sit up. It was still early and no one else in the bunk house was up yet, so he didn't know why she'd be missing.
Within moments, his curiosity had gotten a hold of him, pulling him up and out of bed. He easily slid his shoes and jacket on, before walking out of the bunk house and outside. He looked around, but he didn't see anything at first. When he took a second look though, he caught sight of her by the wash house, finding here combing out her hair with her hands. He also saw her with a pair of sissors, her hand gliding over her hair and trimming it a bit.
T
When I looked up from cutting my hair, I caught sight of George, motioning him over. I was actually surprised to see him up and about with how late we were up, but that didn't seem to stop him much.
"Mornin George," I greet, stringing a hand through my hair and shaking out bits and pieces.
"Mornin," he nodded, tipping his hat respectfully.
"Why don't you sit down and I'll cut your hair for ya," I said, gesturing toward the stool beside me.
"Alright," he yawned, sitting down on the stool before removing his hat.
I gave him a friendly smile as I looked him over, raking my hand through his hair for a moment. His hair was soft and thick, the strands brushing smoothly against my skin.
He didn't say much as I did all this, just watching as I brought the scissors close and started snipping. I wouldn't take too much off though, just enough to clean him up a bit.
"So, when's the last time you had someone cut your hair anyway?" I asked curiously, running my hand through his hair again.
"It's been a while," he said.
I could tell by tone in his voice that it had been a long while since he'd had someone cut it.
"Well, when I get done with you, you'll look good as new," I promised, a smile pulling at my lips.
T
George just sat there and watched her as she cut his hair. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had touched him in such a way, the feeling of her fingers running through his hair reminding him of when he was a kid. He remembered how his mother would run her fingers gently through his hair, the feeling leaving him with a sense of calmness. It relaxed him, putting his mind at ease. That's what Chris was doing to him. She was putting him at ease every time her fingers ran through his short brown hair. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that he was sitting up in the stool, the feeling would likely put him to sleep.
"There," she finally said, smiling down at him.
He opened his eyes to look back up at her, only find her hand in his hair again, ruffling it a bit. He watched almost cross eyed as loose bits of hair fell, ticking his nose and face. Then, a moment later, her fingers were brushing against his skin.
They were soft, smooth even. This in itself surprised him with the work that they did. Again, they brushed over his skin, brushing away the loose bits. She then ran her hand through his hair one last time, before finally pulling away, a feeling of disappointment tugging at his heart.
"There, good as new," she smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks," he nodded, letting a small smile tug at the corners of his lips.
T
It was quiet as everyone piled into the back of the wagon. Other than George and Chris, no one had said a word all morning. Then again, it was to be expected after what had happened last night. Chris was still sore about it to a degree, but Candy was a wreck. When he had woken up, he didn't even know what to do with himself. He was so used to waking up to his dog and now it was gone. His best friend was gone. Chris thought about all of this as she sat beside George at the end of the wagon. They were the last two, so they were stuck sitting at the end, their legs hanging freely off the edge.
Lennie was behind her and as she closed her eyes, she felt him grip the back of her jacket, keeping an even grip on it. All was quiet.
T
"Hey, Chris, you alright?" Whit asked.
I turned to him, blinking clear my vision.
"Yeah, just a bit hot is all," I told him, wiping my brow.
I was dripping with sweat as I tossed piles of barley into the wagon, both shirts pulled from my body and sitting on the front seat with my jacket. That left me in my white undershirt which was soaked in the front.
"I'm gonna need a shower after this," I sighed.
"Can I watch?"
I gave him a dry look at this, before turning to him with a smile on my face.
"Sure, if you don't mind having a foot up yer ass," I said sweetly, watching as he grinned in response.
T
"Alright, I'm gonna take a shower first before I start cutting hair," I announced, a towel over my shoulder. "And that means stay out," I said flatly, easily making my way over to the wash house.
T
Chris looked around her, before walking into the shower, closing the stall door behind her. She made sure that the hook locked in place before she did anything else. From there, she undressed, tossing her clothes over the door the hang with her towel. She then turned on the water, shivering as it hit her skin.
T
"You think someone should keep an eye on her?" Whit asked, eyeing the wash house for a moment.
"Nah, it'd just give her one more reason to throw something at you," Slim grinned, thinking back to the other night.
"It'd be worth the risk sneakin a peek though," he said, an impish grin on his face.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," George stated, pulling his magazine out to read.
"So, you're tellin me that if you had the chance to see her stark naked, you wouldn't take it?" Whit asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nope," George replied, his response short and simple.
"You're kidding me?" Whit was completely flabbergasted at George's answer.
After all, what guy wouldn't want to see a woman stark naked in the shower? Especially when one was merely yards away in the wash house.
"Besides, I'd rather not have my head kicked in," George commented, flipping to the next page in his magazine.
"Good choice George," Slim chuckled as he sat there smoking a cigarette.
Alright, that was chapter 6. I hope that everyone liked it? It was slightly more intimate I suppose. Anyway, don't forget to REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings on this chapter/story. I LOVE hearing feedback, it helps me write. Anyway, thanks again everyone! :) I'm starting chapter 7 as we speak. XD