Thread: Yearning Steer (Penner and AR)

RE Yearning Steer Penner and AR Random Western Titles. The Yearning Steer. Mother had picked the name, odd as it was. Father had been so enamored that he didn't know how to refuse her, he never had known which is why the brand for the place was a flower. Real manly, real tough, but it didn't seem to matter. The ranch flourished, and before they died Ben's parents were able to experience and enjoy that success. All Father ever wanted was to give Mother the 'life she deserved' and he'd done it. Things were different now. Harder, in some ways. The ranch had grown but they were in a drought. He barely had enough water on his own land to keep the cattle going, and he had to be careful about moving them from pasture to pasture so they never drank any one source dry. Rain would have been nice, especially on a day like today when the sun shone in a cloudless sky. Benji! Three riders came in from the east, riding hard and fast. Ben had been working on repairing the fence line, those boys coming in now were supposed to be out in the east pasture moving the cattle to their next water source. He frowned when he saw them. It was too early to be coming back. He had planned to ride out and join them when he was done his repairs. He pulled off his hat, running his hand over his sweaty forehead before plopping it back on his head. Boys? Noah, the second eldest Wilson son had a wild look in his eyes. It was Luke who had called out, he was the youngest and as soon as they were close he practically fell off his horse in his haste to reach his eldest brother. Benji! What's goin' on? Ben asked, concern twisting his insides. Nobody looked hurt, but that didn't mean things weren't bad. Something happen to the cattle? I'm gonna kill 'em! Noah snarled, sliding off his saddle and walking around to unceremoniously pull Jesse, the only blond in the group, off his ride. Woah, woah, woah! Ben easily leaped over the fence and raced to separate the two. What's goin' on? He repeated in a sharp snap. Jesse spat on the ground, This one's a right coward, that's what. That ravine is too dangerous! Idiot! Noah pushed against Ben, trying to get around him to go at the other boy. What ravine? Ben asked. But he knew. With a sinking gut he turned to face Jesse, Jess? There's lots of water down there! Enough to keep them happy for seasons! Jesse said quickly. He stepped back at the look on Ben's face, It was easy! They all got down safe enough, nobody got hurt! The ravine wasn't 'easy'. It was a steep climb, difficult for the cattle and for the cowboys herding them. It was in that ravine that they lost their father. Ben had made it clear nobody went down there, especially not with cattle in tow. He was tempted to just let Noah go. To let the boy vent all his rage at their blond adopted brother, but he knew he had to do what pa would do. What would pa do? As he considered the question, a scream shattered the moment. All four brothers turned their heads to the house as one. One of the maidens Ben had hired to clean the house, cook their meals, clean their clothes and the like, came screaming from the back of the house. Her skirts raised high as she fled. And, as one, the brothers leaped the fence and raced toward her. What's goin' on? He was asking that a lot today, Ben thought as he grasped the girls arm. There's... there's a woman! Out back! The girl cried. And that's an occasion to scream? Is she hurt? Don't know! Daft woman. He moved around her and jogged to the back of the house. There was a trench in the back, freshly dug as they prepared to expand on the house. Of course, that had been before mother died. She'd wanted a cellar, a proper full sized cellar and father had started the project but then... well, things changed. The earth was still dug up, Ben hadn't the heart to cover it up. It was the last project his father had started. And in that trench, sat a woman, just as the maid had said. What in tarnation? He breathed as he took in her truly bizarre appearance. His brothers crowded in behind him, but with a simple gesture he pushed them back. He didn't want to crowd her... whoever she was. What the hell was she doing in his back yard? Uh... miss? You al'right? He asked.