It was a beautiful day.
The weather was very mild for this time of the year.
The breeze came from the south today, warming everything it touched.
It stirred the tall prairie grass that grew as far as the eyes could see, making it ripple and dance like waves on the ocean.
The warm air tousled Soul's white hair, as he stood gazing at the rolling land.
It tickled the nape of his neck and riled up his already unsightly hair, but he wasn't paying much mind to the wind.
It was a beautiful day, but his mood couldn't be fouler.
He stared off into the distance, wishing he was out riding the open plains instead of stuck going to town.
He hated town.
The whispering, the blatant staring.
He should be used to it by now.
All those judgmental eyes unnerved him though.
He couldn't help the way he looked.
With one last grumpy huff Soul tore his eyes away from the pastures and headed to the barn to hitch up the wagon.
No point in putting it off any longer.
He quickly led two older bay geldings out and busied himself with the harness.
One of the gelding sighed heavily and cocked it's head to the side, gently nudging Soul on the arm.
"I know boy, I don't feel like going to town eaither." Soul said, giving the horse a sympathetic pat on the neck.
Today was the day he had to pick up Stein's nephew from the train station.
Stein had left a few days prior on his journey and left Soul with little knowledge of what to expect.
His parting words had been, "Good luck and don't goof it up."
Soul couldn't help wonder what kind of person this English kid was going to be.
He was looking forward to meeting him just as much as kissing a rattlesnake.
"How on earth did I get saddled with this job?" He moaned to the horse as he expertly buckled the harness under its belly.
"This English kid will be nothing but a sticker-burr in my side, or worse, the reason I get kicked off Forsaken. How does Stein expect me to turn an English brat into a cow hand in only three months time?"
Ranching was a way if life, not something that could just be taught.
This kid is going to ruin everything.
Soul was so wrapped up in his despairing thoughts that he neglected to hear the approaching sound of stomping boots.
"Howdy chip kicker!" Bellowed a voice, making Soul wince and the horses prance from the shear volume of it.
"Shut your trap Black Star! Your scarin' the horses idiot."
Black Star shambled over, a large grin on his face.
"I ain't the only one yelling." He corrected.
Soul gave him a dour look as he calmed the horses.
Black Star ignored the look and leaned casually against the wagon.
"Soo, 'boss'." Black Star drawled, saying the last word with a smirk. "Off to play nurse maid?"
Soul shot him a dirty look.
"Yeah." he grumbled as he bent down to hitch the team to the buck wagon.
"I should be out helpin' yall move the herd, not baby sittin' our bosses spoilt nephew."
"Yep." Black Star said nodding sagely. "It sucks to be you."
Soul frowned, but said no more as he climbed up into the wagon.
"No slacking while I'm gone."
"Wouldn't dream of it... boss."
The way Black Star cackled gave Souk the feeling that he would more than likely find Black Star snoozing under a tree later.
"Don't make me fire you." Soul warned half heartedly. "I'd miss your sorry ass."
Black Star let out a guffaw at that.
"Don't be sappy Evans. You and me both know you ain't got the balls."
Soul cracked a grin at his long time friend.
He might be loud and obnoxious, but Black Star was one of the best hands on the ranch and the closest thing he had to a brother.
Forsaken would surely be too quiet without his presents.
"Welp I better get to the chores." Blackstar said as he turned to leave. "Lord knows the new forman ain't gunna do it."
Soul grunted and threw is wide brimmed Stenson at Black Star in response.
Black Star smartly dodged it and trotted off laughing.
"You better get outta here nursmaid or you'll be late for the train." Black Star shouted over his shoulder as he rounded the barn and dipped out of sight.
Soul frowned at his hat where it now lay in the dirt.
Damn Black Star, making me lose my hat.
He didn't feel much like fetching it from where it now rested.
If he left his hat off people would stare more, his unusual hair color would be more apparent.
Whatever. He wasn't going to let it bother him.
He'd make Black Star clean the dust and grime off his hat later as punishment.
With a flick of his wrist Soul slapped the reigns across the geldings backs.
They lurched forward then settled into a slow rambling walk.
He didn't mind the slow pace as the horses plodded on, he wasn't too anxious to meet his boss's new family member.
Leaning back in the seat and propping his boots up he tried to relax as the land slowly rolled past.
It would take a good half an hour before he reached the little town of Red Gulch.
There was plenty of time before the noon train reached the station.
"No sense in rushin'." Soul mumbled to the horses as he lazily ran his fingers threw his hair.
"I'm in no rush to meet this English kid."