Thread: A Place to Hang your Hat [AnnaBeth and Sigr]

Powerful lot of responsibility, Beth replied, reaching out in front of them at the same time to push a low hanging pine branch out of their way, leaning back into Alba a bit to make sure it cleared them both before letting it snap back down, sending a small spray of fragrant needles on both of them, several of which nestled in the back of Beth's long red hair. Sheriff Bartlett, he mainly seizes coffee and the newspaper at the diner in town, she joked but not viciously. Not a lot for him to do, really and that's a good thing he says. Back, oh, forty years ago when a lot of people were losing their land because of the banks foreclosing on the predatory loans they made he was just a fresh faced kid with a star on his chest. He gained a lot of respect then. When he had to go serve the foreclosure order he and his wife, she was pregnant at the time too I remember Granddaddy saying, they put people up until the auction. Then wouldn't you know it? Seems as how every time there was an auction he had to close the roads to the place because of bad repair, for public safety, and the only folk who could get in and bid were people who had horses. Awful low bids on those properties too, usually around a dollar, and boy did Grandaddy say them banker fellas were mad. She laughed at the retelling of a story that had acquired something of a folk hero status. You should meet him before you pass on through after you get your car fixed. The ride continued on and, as promised, they stopped every hour to let Alba hop off and stretch her legs and walk the soreness out. Beth noticed how much it hurt her, and knew shed be crippled up tomorrow, but politely ignored it and didnt make fun of Albas discomfort. Three hours into it it began to rain, as Beth had predicted, and she shook out a heavy leather duster that smelled like the lanolin it was treated with and insisted Alba bundle up in it. It was long and split front and back for a rider and it covered her up, even down across her legs, and had a hood that could be pulled up. Beth just ignored the rain, even though it was fairly cool, but didnt fuss when Alba kept pressed up close against her back, sharing the warmth. That and Ace provided enough to be okay if not exactly comfortable but she never complained. It was still raining as they rode up the lip of a ridge and all sudden like there was a ranch below them. Two big barns, one for animals and the other for equipment, a long bunkhouse, then a rambling ranch house with a wraparound porch on two sides with rocking chairs and a little table set between them near the kitchen door. Sticking to the graveled drive, Beth rode right up to the edge of the porch. An old man, wrinkled as a raisin and looking as tough as rock maple, stood just under the edge. Like Beth he was dressed simply, though he didnt wear chaps and his hat was off showing a gone ginger crop of hair that was as thick as Beths and showed their relationship. I dont see no calf, he said, voice firm and strong. No, sir. Got a mite distracted and had to give up looking for it, she answered, not with sorrow or worry either, just stating facts. So I see, he replied dryly. This is Miz Bertorelli, Beth said as she helped Alba out of the saddle but kept her own seat in it, resting her hands on the cantle. Car broke down on Snake Curl road, about a mile this side of the wash. Miz Bertorelli is a Marshal, Granddaddy. Is that right? he said, eyes the same color as Beths swinging towards the woman. Well, nice to meet you and come on in by the fire while Beth puts the horse and mule up. He came down into the rain, ignoring it, to shake Albas hand and lead her inside, arm across her back in a guiding fashion. Thought Id go back and look some more, Beth said. The old man stopped under the porch and helped Alba out of the duster then tossed it to Beth. Be dark by the time you got there, he said. And you got work to do here, dont you? Yes, sir, she answered, a little unhappily. But- But me no buts, girl, or Ill be tanning one. You can make one more look see tomorrow after breakfast but I want you back before nightfall. You understand me? Yes, sir, she said again, hands busy with putting the duster across her lap. Ill send Luke and Walker down after her car with the truck and jeep. Shes got a trailer too, Beth said and clucked to turn Ace and Mike towards the bunkhouse. He watched her go before turning back to Alba. That girl, he said but with a smile on his face. Shes going to make me old before my time I swear. Bertorelli, huh? Sounds Eye-talian, he said, adding a unique pronunciation of Italian. Served with a few boys from New York who were Eye-talians, on the Canal, maybe your family knows some of them. Come on in, come on in and let me get you a towel and something hot to drink. Ushering her inside, the ranch house was dim in the grey afternoon light, but he lit a gas light on the wall, and then a few more in the rest of the house, providing a soft warm glow that went well with the crackling fireplace in the main room, matched by an iron stove in the kitchen that even though it was banked threw off a fair amount of heat. The furniture was rustic, made from big split and sanded and varnished wood but the whole place was clean and well maintained. There did seem to be electricity, as proven by a modern looking flat screen TV, several electrical outlets, overhead lights, and a desktop computer on a corner desk, but it didnt seem to be working at the moment. Get you some coffee or something a little stronger? he asked. Beth wont be but half an hour or so.