1887
Elizabeth stood next to the wagon, looking up at Will, who sat next to Jorge, the senor ranch hand at Arroyo Ranch and a man that had become Will’s good friend.
Since Will had come back to the ranch, he had decided it was more proper if he bunked with the ranch hands. Being the only gringo in the bunkhouse, they teased him mercilessly. But Will understood that the teasing only meant he was accepted as one of them. And he tried to give out as much as he got. Jorge, being the oldest hand on the ranch and a single man, made sure to help Will with tasks that still were difficult for him. It was hard for Will to accept the help, but he was hopeful, with time, he would get most of the function back in his right arm.
“Thank you for taking care of this, Will,” Elizabeth said. “I would have gone myself, but we are weaning the new foal this afternoon, and I need to be there to help the mare with the transition. Pilar wants to help the young one, since he is used to her presence now and trusts her. But mother’s need help too.”
“And you are the perfect person to do that.”
Will dropped his right arm down to take Elizabeth’s hand and give it a squeeze.
She smiled at their clasped hands. “You are getting stronger every day!”
“With your help,” he said, smiling back.
“I’ll make the bank deposit, and Jorge will help me with your shopping list,” he said, patting his chest where he had tucked the list she had given him.
“There is a new owner of the general store so make sure to watch him closely. I trust the wife, but Senor Clarkson, not as much. You have to watch those gringos,” she said with a grin.
“Si, Senora,” Will said, touching the brim of his hat in a small salute.
No comments:
Post a Comment