No Shotguns Required

Heath pushed his hat back on his forehead.  “You sure about this, Nick?”

“Of course, I’m sure!” Nick surveyed the black cattle milling around the pen.  “C’mon, you and Jarrod were the ones who wanted to get into Herefords a couple years ago.  And I have to admit they turned out good, other than the fact that most of them are dumb as rocks.”  He gestured expansively with a black-gloved hand.  “These Angus cattle are all the rage back in Kansas City.  Look at that muscle. We cross ‘em with our longhorns and we’ll have fatter calves in no time.  And no potbellies, either.”

Heath tried to see them with his brother’s eyes but there was something just not right about the cows in front of him.  “Doesn’t the shape of their heads look a little funny to you?”

“Well…” Nick studied them.  “Apparently, they don’t grow horns.  That’s why their heads got that round kinda shape.”

“Uh huh.”  Not completely convinced, Heath decided to give in gracefully. He’d tell Nick ‘I told you so’ later if they didn’t work out.  “So how many are we planning on taking home?”

*

Nick and Heath left Merced after the cattle auction with a herd of 32 black cows and one bull.  Neither cowboy expected any trouble on the five day drive home; the weather was fine and the cattle had moved well the first day.  It would be a tiring trip, though, with only two of them to keep watch at night, but they could always move a little slower if there was a need for a bit more shut-eye.  And it was still early summer with plenty of water along the way.

Flanking the herd, Nick admired their glossy black hides.  They weren’t very big, but boy, those Angus were compact and bunchy and he could almost imagine the calves they were going to get next spring.  Put the bull to some of the larger longhorns and the cows to one of their smaller bulls and even more people would flock to buy Barkley beef and breeding stock.

One of the cows got it in her head to run out of the herd and Nick pointed his buckskin in her direction.  Duke didn’t need any other instructions; the experienced cutting horse nimbly got around her and chased her back to the others.  Nick missed his Coco, who was standing stud and enjoying his retirement, but had to admit that the big stallion Heath trained for him was as good or better, not that he’d ever admit it out loud.

This was the life, Nick reflected.  A good horse under him, a good herd and his brother riding along.  Nick glanced back at Heath, who was nearer the back on the other side.  He chuckled, remembering just how opposed he’d been when Heath revealed he was Tom Barkley’s son and how that feeling of resentment had turned into so much more.  He and Jarrod were always close and always would be, but in Heath he found a brother and partner to work the ranch by his side.

Noticing Heath’s gesture to the west, Nick reined up and turned. Well, so much for the fine weather.  Large, dark clouds were moving in their direction and the rancher knew they were in for a time.

“Bunch ‘em up!” he yelled but Heath anticipated him and was already yipping at the cows, pushing them closer together.

“Saw a draw back there!” Heath called.  “Easier to keep them together!”

Nick gave a curt nod and galloped Duke to the front of the milling cows to turn them.  At the sound of distant thunder, one bovine took it into her head to run in a completely different direction and the rest decided to follow.  Swearing loudly, he spurred his horse towards the rogue herd. 

The sky started to darken and the wind was picking up as the two cowboys attempted to bring the cattle to some sort of order.  Nick wondered how long it would take to find thirty-three head on unfamiliar ground in the middle of a storm, sending Duke after another knot of cows running in the completely wrong direction.

“Hi yup!” A mounted figure crossed the path of the stampeding cattle, adroitly cutting them off and turning them towards the rest of the herd.

Nick wasn’t going to argue; any help was welcome at this point.  Between he, Heath and the unknown cowboy, they managed to get the herd together and into the draw before the storm’s full force hit them.

It lasted several hours, lightning, wind and rain whipping around them. But the cattle remained huddled in the scant shelter the lee of the draw provided and the three of them were easily able to manage the herd.  Nick approved of the unknown man’s handling of his horse and the easy way they moved together. He wondered where the other cowboy had come from. Was he drifting or just passing by on the way to somewhere else?  Most would’ve just passed by; in helping, he’d guaranteed himself a job on the Barkley ranch if that’s what he wanted.

The storm passed close to evening and Heath rode over to Nick. “What do you say we keep them here for the night? Still might be skittish and it won’t matter that there’s not much grass for a few hours.”

Nick nodded, but his attention was on the man slowly moving their way.  “What do you think, Heath?” he asked, inclining his head in the other cowboy’s direction. 

“Reckon he’s got the skills,” Heath commented. “If he’s looking, we can always use another hand.”

Nick nodded and urged Duke over to meet him halfway, Heath following, and then pulled up short when he was close enough to see the other man clearly.

Because it wasn’t a man he was looking at, it was a woman.  A woman in a cowboy’s duster, a cowboy’s chaps and a lethal-looking rifle holstered to the saddle, but unmistakably a woman and a good-looking one to boot.

“Boy howdy,” came Heath’s soft exclamation.

“You can say that again,” Nick agreed.  He started to reconsider the offer of a job, but swiftly changed his mind. If she’d ridden up to the ranch and asked for a job, he probably would have turned her down. Working the range wasn’t something a woman did, but he saw what she was capable of before he’d found out she was a she. Also, he knew his mother had been an able cowhand when his parents were first starting out and he didn’t want to be on the receiving of her scorn if she found out he wouldn’t hire a skilled cow… person just because she was female. “Thanks for the help,” he told her. “Saved us a lot of trouble.”

“Reckon you’re a good hand with cattle,” Heath added. He looked at Nick and Nick inclined his head in agreement, knowing what his brother was asking without words. “You wouldn’t be looking for a job by any chance?  Pays 40 and beans.”

Shifting in the saddle, she looked from one brother to the other. “Might be.  Where’s your spread?”

Nick gestured back over his shoulder.  “Back Stockton way. Taking this herd up there.”

She looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, how about I ride along with you. If we suit and I like the look of your outfit, I just might take you up on that offer.” Then her eyes turned hard. “But if you think you’ll be getting more from me than cowpunching, it’ll be a while before you’re sitting comfortably in that saddle again.”

Nick chuckled.  She was a beautiful woman and in any other circumstances he’d definitely consider a little flirting.  But if she was working on his ranch, he’d make it known that she was off-limits unless she made the first move.  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Heath grinning as well.

“Wouldn’t expect anything else,” Heath assured her. “Pretty sure that goes for my brother, too,” and snickered at the dirty look Nick threw his way.

“Reckon we got ourselves a deal, then.”  She straightened up.  “Since I’m the new hire, I’ll take first watch.  Assume you’re keeping them here overnight?”

Nick nodded, approving of her business-like attitude.  “Heath and I’ll get some coffee and grub going.  One of us’ll come get you when it’s ready.”

She touched the brim of her hat in acknowledgement. “Much obliged.  And by the way, name’s Becky Ellis.”

“Nick Barkley and this’s my brother Heath.” She nodded curtly and rode off, leaving Nick to wonder about the flicker of emotion that passed over her face.

**

Becky sighed before she noticed and sent her horse after a cow that was trying to make a break for it.  These strange black cows had attitude, that was for sure, but as she cut it off and sent it back to the small herd, she remembered her pa’s old adage, “If they ain't got a little attitude, they ain't healthy.”  Well, if that were true, these were some of the healthiest cattle she’d ever come across.

A couple days after she’d joined Nick and Heath Barkley and their herd of short-legged black cows, Becky’s thoughts were confused.  She’d heard of the Barkleys; anyone who spent any time in the San Joaquin valley had heard of the powerful ranching family. Most seemed to be of the opinion that the Barkleys were a good outfit to work for.  They had a reputation for good food, clean beds and fair treatment.  But she knew something else, something that had nothing to do with ranching and it didn’t paint the all Barkleys in such a good light. 

Becky couldn’t complain of their treatment of her, though.  On her search for a place to make a living, the few men who agreed hired her thought that a woman ranch hand who worked under them should do so literally.  She had to abuse at least one of them from that notion with her fists, but no such action had been necessary with Nick and Heath.  They treated her the same as they did each other, albeit without the teasing that seemed a big part of their relationship.  Camp chores were divided equally and they took equal turns on night watch with the herd. If their hires copied that attitude, Becky hoped that she might have actually found a place, Barkley name not withstanding.

*

“What the devil’ve you be bringing home this time, Nick me lad?”

Nick pulled his big buckskin to a stop as Heath and Becky drove the herd of Angus into the pen.  He watched where the foreman’s gaze went so he would know which thing he’d brought home MacCollum was asking about, the cattle or the cowgirl.  He couldn’t tell where Mac was looking with Becky on the other side of the cattle, so Nick started with the cows.

“It’s those Angus we were talking about getting.  Ain’t they beauties?”

MacCollum leaned on the fence.  “I mind they be Angus, Nick.  I’m from Scotland, y’ken?”  This time Nick could tell his foreman’s eyes were following their newest cowhand.  “I be talking about t’other beauty.”

Nick dismounted and walked over to stand beside him.  “Name’s Becky Ellis, Mac.  Picked her up on the trail and hired her on the spot. She’s proven to both me and Heath she can do the job just as well as any man.”  They both watched as Becky and Heath chivvied the last of the cows into the pen. Nick didn’t think he’d have any problem with the old Scot accepting a female working the ranch, knowing how he didn’t coddle either of the Barkley women.

“She be knowing how to ride, right enough,” Mac admitted, confirming Nick’s observation.  “But what’ll you be doing with her?”  He gave Nick a piercing look.  “Don’t ken the lass’ll want to be bunking with the men.”

Nick and Heath had given that some thought on the ride back.  “Well,” he said as his brother and new hire rode their way, “reckon there’s that space off the barn where we have the cot for when we’re watching a sick horse. Should do fine for her.”  He pushed back his hat.  “Think we’ll have any trouble with the men?”

Mac chuckled.  “Aye, they be men.  But I’ll be laying down the law and any lass wanting to do men’s work’ll have to enforce it if she be serious.”

“Reckon she’ll do that,” Nick agreed with a grin, remembering Becky’s words when he’d made her the job offer.  “Becky,” he called as she and Heath reached them and dismounted.  “This is our foreman, Hamish MacCollum.  He’ll show you where you’ll be bunking and where to put your gear.”

“Right this way, lass.”

Becky tipped her hat to the two Barkleys and followed Mac, leading her horse.

“Mac’ll make sure she’s treated right,” Heath observed, “but I wouldn’t mind a ringside seat the first time one of the men gets fresh.” He chuckled. “Bet it’ll be the only time, too.”

Nick laughed.  “That’s one bet I won’t be taking.” Clapping Heath on the back, he added, “C’mon, let’s wash off the trail dust so Mother’ll let us have dinner.  I’m starved.”

*

Sure enough, the next morning when the crew gathered to receive the day’s assignments, Lou Harvey was sporting an impressive black eye and his lower lip appeared swollen.  Nick and Heath shared a grin when they noticed the careful distance he was putting between himself and Becky Ellis.

Old Jeff, who’d worked the ranch as long as Nick could remember, came up to them after Lou’s group rode out.

“Y’shoulda seen it, Nick,” the ancient cowpoke cackled gleefully.  “That there miss y’hired, well, Lou came up t’her after chow and started gittin’ real friendly like.”  He winked. “Too friendly if y’git my drift.  Young Matt here,” he indicated the younger man coming over to them with Becky, “told him t’mind his manners, but she weren’t having none of it.”  The old man grinned over at the newcomers. “I don’t think Lou saw it comin’. Pow!  Next thing, he’s pickin’ hisself off the floor.  Y’got a mighty fine right hook, miss,” he told Becky.

Matt Cooper, one their younger cowhands, grinned. “You should’ve seen it, Nick,” he said enthusiastically.  “She throws almost as fine a punch as you do.  Tried to offer my help, but it wasn’t needed.”

Becky just shrugged, but she was smiling as well. “They were all warned.  Not my fault some men just don’t listen.”

Heath nudged Nick in the ribs.  “Told you I wanted a ringside seat.”

Opening her mouth to reply,  Becky didn’t get a chance when Jeff added, “Y’missed somethin’ fer sure, Heath.  Coulda sold tickets.”  Becky just sighed.

“Well, Mac told Miss Ellis and I to come help you move those black cows to pasture,” Matt said to his employers, “old Jeff decided he’s gonna to tag along.”

Nick nodded and readjusted his hat  “Grab your horses and let’s go.  These bovines are feisty ones.”

“My pappy always said if they ain’t got attitude, they ain’t healthy,” Jeff commented and grinned at Becky. “Reckon y’can always apply that t’women too.”

Becky slapped him on the chest with her gloves.  “Mind your manners, old man,” she teased, “or we’ll put you out to pasture with the cows.” She turned to Matt. “And I’m no miss. It’s just Becky.”

Gratified to see how well she was getting along with first the foreman and now two other respected cowhands, Nick ordered, “Stop your jawing.  This is a working ranch and there’s lots of work to do. Now get!”

Becky gave him a saucy salute and they went to get their mounts, Jeff still cackling.

Heath grinned at Nick and shrugged before walking over to his bay. Chuckling, Nick followed. Things were getting mighty interesting on the Barkley Ranch.