"I'm sure it will, a stove in the bunk house, 'er is thet a cook house attached to the bunk house?" Nate asked, having used both. If'in it ain't attached to the bunk house, we ought jest build one. Use the other inside fer heat come winter." He smiled at the lady of the ranch.
"Not meanin' no disrespect Ma'am, jest that havin' 'er separate saves the boys from dealin' with a smoke filled bunk house an' I seen that 'un afore. Ain't real pleasant ta be living in the results. I hope I ain't over steppin' ma bounds here." He added.
"Now then..." she glanced at Loredo, Will and Pythias, "it seems that Cookie could get to his cooking more quickly if someone was to take care of those horses for him..." She gave them a sweet smile. "I'd offer, but I want to make sure there are plenty of towels and linens for the men to clean up when they get here."
Lorado looked around for a moment, realizing that they were the ones she was talking to. "Yes'um, we'll get right to it."
"Move them Morgans to his round pen, feller thought'a ever'thin' fer this place. We'll be needin' the corral fer the remuda an' Nate's horses. I figger their done and headin' fer home so let's get to it
The herd was settled in, grass and water made the transition a whole lot easier for both the herd and riders. They got the remuda sorted out and started for the ranch when someone let out a whoop and the cavalcade of riders and horses rushed up the hill.
Pike peeled off to have one more look at his herd, his herd, on his land. A dream come true, one he would not have recognized a year ago.
In the rush with Gibbs was Zane Geraghty who was suddenly caught up in their success, caught up in the sense of unity with the rest of the riders, and knowing he had a place there if he wanted it. And for the moment, he did.
"Yeeeha! He shouted, letting loose his exuberance, "Run 'er Gibbs! Last one there's a polecat!!"
"You won't need to worry about smoke," Emeline commented, "there's a vent through the roof, Mr. Pike got one of the latest models of stoves, from Chicago! I think you're going to love it, I'm a bit jealous!"
Of course, the kitchen in the main house was also the newest to be had, but it wasn't designed for the mass cooking that would be taking place in the bunkhouse.
"And please, don't worry about overstepping, I believe in honesty...mostly...so feel free to tell your woes to the pregnant lady!" Laughing, she started for the bunkhouse, then stopped and turned to look toward the sound of approaching hooves. The sight was magnificent!
"Here they come!"
The impromptu race was exhilarating, and even Mule showed some excitement, keeping good pace with the others. Still, it was hard to determine the 'winner', since they all had the good sense to slow before coming into the yard proper, especially with a lady -- a pregnant one at that! -- there.
Natty was barking madly, but he backed up to Emeline and settled down, taking a protective stance as she chuckled and leaned to scratch his ears.
As Mule slid to a stop, Justus was out of the saddle, looking around with a big grin. "This place is amazing!" It was going to be a good home, if he played his cards right.
"You won't need to worry about smoke," Emeline commented, "there's a vent through the roof, Mr. Pike got one of the latest models of stoves, from Chicago! I think you're going to love it, I'm a bit jealous!"
"Ain't no need'a thet, after the chuck, why I could cook on a hot rock, an' I shorely ain't kiddin' neither." Nate stated good naturedly. "Since she's vented that'll he'p with the wood smoke shore 'nuf , now the grease smole? Might be a differ'n't story altogether. But we'll see, we'll see."
"And please, don't worry about overstepping, I believe in honesty...mostly...so feel free to tell your woes to the pregnant lady!" Laughing, she started for the bunkhouse, then stopped and turned to look toward the sound of approaching hooves. The sight was magnificent!
"Here they come!"
The pounding of the hooves diminished, as the band of riders came into the hard, Pike and Teal in the forefront, but all of them close together. Even the horses seemed to know that they were home. The procession of men and their mounts moved to the corral where they began dismounting and either flipping their reins over a crossbar or dropping them to ground hitch their mounts.
It was the end of the drive at last.
Pike led several of the men, Teal included, over to where Em waited, "We're here at long last. The herd, yer horses, and, all'a the men." He gave her a hug, lifting her off of her feet and twirling her around before setting he down again. "Home.'
"Missus Pike, proud as punch to be here." Teal said as he swept off his hat. "I'll get these hombres settled and then we'll do whatever needs doin'."
Emeline laughed as Barnabas swept her up in the excitement, and she hugged him around the neck, peppering little kisses on his stubbly cheek. She never would have believed that things could just keep getting better, but here it was, a dream come true, better with each day!
"Home, Mr. Pike!" she agreed, blushing a little as he set her down and she glanced at Mr. Teal. "Thank you so much for delivering the cattle and horses, Mr. Teal, you and your men did a great job, and now the Rocking P can get started!"
All of the logistics, though, could wait until morning, for now, the crew needed to get settled and rest a bit. "Just take care of your horses, and we should have supper on the table by the time you get washed up."
As she spoke, the supplies from town arrived, giving Barnabas and Teal a chance to meet the new hands, Cade and Muley.
"Home, Mr. Pike!" she agreed, blushing a little as he set her down and she glanced at Mr. Teal. "Thank you so much for delivering the cattle and horses, Mr. Teal, you and your men did a great job, and now the Rocking P can get started!"
"Yes Ma'am, the boys were the best Texas had to offer, and they made this drive one of the best I've been a part of." Teal said in response. "This is some spread you and Mister Pike have here. Hard to imagine a place this beautiful exists."
As she spoke, the supplies from town arrived, giving Barnabas and Teal a chance to meet the new hands, Cade and Muley.
Pike was beaming, "A spot what we come onto of an afternoon picknic'n oncet, couldn't get the possibilities outta my head, so when I could I bought 'er. You and the boys might oughtta get yerselfs settled overt the bunkhouse. An' who'd this be?" He asked pointing at the two strangers.
"This is Mr. Cade Brody and Mr...Muley," she explained, smiling at the two new arrivals, "they heard in town that you were hiring, so they came out to talk to you about employment. Pythias knows Muley, and spoke well of him..." Or at least didn't speak ill or laugh!
"They seem good sorts, and they like my cooking!" Didn't that say a lot?! "I did hire them for the day to go into town and fetch some supplies. I hope you don't mind, but Pythias was reluctant to leave me alone."
"See now," Justus commented to Mule as he brushed the lanky paint down, "this here's a real nice place, ya can get old an' fat an' live th' good life! Won't no one be makin' us run all day, an' there'll be good meals an' grain."
And right now, grain was what the horse was most interested in, he was munching away happily as Justus finished up grooming him, then headed for the bunkhouse with his saddlebags slung over his shoulder.
"If this don't beat all!" he exclaimed as he took in the building. It had been a very long while since he'd had a steady place to live, and never anything like this, big and clean and bright. "Gonna like it here, I'm thinkin'!"
But then he hesitated and asked, "Do we just pick a bunk, or do we get told which is ours?" Some were already taken, but he didn't want to step on any toes and risk making trouble.
Pike overheard the young man, "Well, near as I can figure, Teal there's the man to answer that question."
"I reckon you just go on an' pick you a spot. Pythias already marked are bunks, so after us, it's purdy much open." Teal said. I guess I never said as much there Gibbs, but ya done a'right, an' I'd be proud ta have ya stay on with us. You an' Geraghty, done yer share an then some."
"Good hands are always welcome here on the 'Rockin' P', This is a big spread, an' I'm thinkin' it's gonna get bigger. Got me three bulls on the way, fact is they oughtta about be here, that means calves and a site of 'em. So there'll be work enough for everyone." Pike explained in his easy manner.
