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

Mike was already brushed down and in a stall with a manger full of hay, sweet oats sprinkled on top as a treat. Whenever possible she liked to get him done and out of the way first so she could spend more time with Ace. Four years in and she and Ace had made a nice team through thick and thin. His black socks ended sharply into his chestnut coat, and the same black color was repeated in his mane and tail. Unusually for a chestnut he didn't have a white blaze and the whole of his head being the same color made him look a little regal. Beth was wiping and brushing him down, taking care to make sure his mane wasn't tangled up, and feeding him handfuls of oats every few minutes while talking quietly to him about nothing in particular, mainly what a fine boy he was and what a good job he'd done today. The way his ears flicked back and a tenseness in his muscles warned her. Aren't you supposed to be headed out with Luke? she asked without turning around, but slipped under Ace's neck to the other side of him, keeping the horse between her and Walker. He was a good hand, a hard worker, could get a horse to do anything but that wasn't because he loved them or they him. He was cruel to a horse's mouth, slugged them instead of training them, and a general asshole. Thought I'd see if you needed anything, Miss Elizabeth, he said, knowing that both the Miss and her full first name got right under her skin. You're soaked, like one of them girls in a wet t-shirt contest, he said and grinned with a nod towards her chest. The plaid was open and it was true, she was soaked, but the cami underneath wasn't transparent even though it did cling to her youthful breasts. Well I don't and I ain't, so best get to stepping, she told him. Instead he took a step closer, and Beth used pressure on Ace's rump to angle the horse's back end towards Walker. Ace knew what she wanted and turned his head first left then right, ranging Walker for a kick if he got too close. Aww, don't be like that Miss Elizabeth. You know you like me. Come on, give me a little kiss and I'll bring you something pretty from town next time I go. Step off, she warned him, voice hard but brittle in spite of how she wanted to be heard. Don't want nothing from you and if I had my way Granddaddy would send you off to another spread. Go on. Git. Yeah but he won't, will he? Walker said with a grin that was anything but pleasant. And you know why too. Tell you what, I'll take that kiss on account and you can pay me back later. Maybe I'll come a tappin' at your window tonight and you can open it up and lean out and let me have it. I said git, she warned. Walker's laugh as he left made her shiver in a way that had nothing to do with being chilled from the rain. Alba and Granddaddy were talking, laughing a little bit too, when she came in and Beth saw the open bottle of whiskey between them. Well, it wasn't like it was going to hurt the old man and she reckoned Alba, being a marshal and all, could handle her liquor. Leaving them to talk she went into her room and stripped out of her wet things, putting on a pair of sweat pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt that had the blue and gold B and hornet mascot from Montana State University at Billings logo on it. Socks too, thick ones that were wool and kept her toes right toasty. It was summer, but the nights could still get chill especially when it rained. Supper be ready in just a bit, y'all, she announced to the seated figures, then brought over the tin coffee pot, hot handle wrapped in a rag, to refill their cups. Miss Alba, don't you pay no nevermind to this old man's lies. We ain't had company in a spell and I reckon he's been telling you he's done everything from going to the moon to wrasslin' a mountain lion. It was two of them, girl, and don't you forget it, he retorted and jerked his thumb towards the back wall where, sure enough, the head of two mountain lions were mounted amongst other trophies. Proof right there. I didn't forget it. I just am saying you might stretch the truth like that taffy machine at the state fair, she answered back then swayed her backside out of the way like a matador when his hand lashed out to smack it. Giggling, she went back into the kitchen and began setting the table. He grumbled a bit, but winked at Alba before turning back to talk to his granddaughter. Luke and Walker gone? Even Alba could see and hear the slight pause in Beth's work before she gave a flat answer. Luke is. Walker dallied around the barn when I was putting Ace and Mike up. Guessing he was flirting with you, Granddaddy asked. If you want to call it that, she shrugged. He needs to step off. She and her grandfather shared a look that was hard on both sides, then she turned away and went back to setting the dinner out, plates clattering angrily and her shoulder in a sullen set. Supper's on, she called and waited beside the long trestle style table. A pot of savory stew, fresh baked sourdough bread, some cut up tomatoes and a small bowl of blackberries were on the table. Beth's place held a tall glass of milk but water and coffee were set out for the two adults. You'll like the bread, Miss Alba, she said, a little of her normal tone returning. Sheepherders trade it to us for steaks, and we also keep a starter going, she nodded towards a small, heavy looking ceramic jar but they bake it better'n we do. You do much cooking for your man? she asked.