Sea Of Grass by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online

ideas?”
    “Luke knows of a few drovers up from Texas. They’re looking for work.”
    “Do you trust Luke?”
    Chuck scratched his chin and shrugged. “We’ll see. I’ll have him bring them in tomorrow. How about you and me talk to them?”
    “Me?” Tess asked. “What about Dad?”
    “You and me need to talk a little more about your dad.”
    Tess reached over and grabbed his arm. “What about him?”
    Chuck chewed at his bottom lip, then looked around. “You know I love your dad.”
    “I know. Hell, you’ve been here all your life and you’ve stuck by him when things really sucked. Now tell me what you’re thinking.”
    “You just watch him, that’s all I’m saying. He’s getting a little forgetful.”
    Tess took off her hat and ran her fingers through her hair. “Shit, he’s not that old.”
    Chuck smiled and patted her shoulder. “He’s going on seventy.”
    Tess’s head shot up at the realization. Good God, she thought, Chuck was right. “Okay, we’ll have a look at the men tomorrow.” She couldn’t help the anger that was mounting. Maria was leaving. Her father was getting forgetful. She had to leave her teaching job. What else could happen?
    “I’m going to ride back. Maria is getting Mrs. Redmond used to the kitchen. God, I hope she can cook.” Tess clicked her teeth as she dug her heels into Stella and took off, scattering the cattle as she rode through the herd.
    As she rode back, she noticed a calf away from the herd. Riding closer, she heard it making a horribly mournful sound. It was standing with its front leg lifted slightly. Tess looked back to see Chuck too far to call him for help.
    “Damned barbed wire,” she hissed and slid off her horse. “Easy, sweetie,” she cooed and saw the wire wrapped around the front leg. “Okay, now, I’m gonna try not to kill you. It’s been a while for me, so don’t go kicking me.”
    She took a pair of pliers out of her saddlebags and began snipping the spiny wire off the injured calf as much as she could. Then, with a deep painful groan, she lifted the calf in her arms. “God, for a baby, you’re awfully heavy.” Tess grunted as she hoisted the calf across Stella’s back. Slipping her foot in the stirrup, she mounted the mare and held onto the moaning calf. “Oh, relax, you’re getting a ride, for chrissakes ,” she said, wincing as the muscles in her thigh contracted. “God, no cramp now, please.”
    As she rode to the barn and corral, she noticed Jack looking at the horses. Jack saw her and his eyes widened as he ran up to her.
    “Is that a cow?” he asked.
    Tess dismounted and gave him a disturbed look. “No, son, it’s a calf and she’s got an owie ,” she said, and Jack laughed as he watched her gently take the annoyed calf off the horse and into the barn. “Get my father and tell him what’s happened, okay?”
    “Sure.” Jack made a mad dash for the house.
    Tess had the poor calf lying on the hay in a stall. With that, Jed, Jack, and Mrs. Redmond barged into the stable.
    “What happened?” Mrs. Redmond asked in a panic. Jack was scared to death.
    Tess looked up at Jed, who shrugged as if to say, “City folks.”
    “It’s really okay. It happens all the time. The little ones stray too far and sometimes they get snagged in the barbed-wire fence.” Tess took off her hat and rolled up the sleeves of her denim shirt.
    Mrs. Redmond gently pulled at her son. “Jack, give Miss Rawlins room. Why don’t you go back into the house?”
    Tess saw the look of dejection on the boy’s face. “If it’s all right, I might need him to hold her head,” she said, looking up at the woman.
    Mrs. Redmond hesitated.
    “Mom, she needs me,” Jack pleaded.
    “He can help,” Jed assured.
    Mrs. Redmond merely nodded. “Do exactly as Miss Rawlins tells you,” she said in a nervous voice.
    Tess winked at Jack. “Okay. Jack, kneel at her head and gently stroke her ear. Real gentle, that’ll calm her when I have to cut this