The Gunslinger (Barnett Ranch) by Pamela Ladner Read Free Book Online Page A

liked working with the young colts. She preferred it.  She was good with them because she nurtured them while she disciplined.  The men usually didn’t take the time to nurture them.  They wanted to get the job done as fast as possible.  Martinez had taught her to take her time and have patience with a horse.  “It’s the same as raising a child,” he’d say.
    The young colt she was working with now, proudly danced around her.  He had a high and mighty prance about him. He held his tail high and his head in the air.  He could spin on a dime to, which would make for a good cow horse.  She hoped her father would keep this one.  He was a deep red sorrel with a white blaze on his face. 
    Martinez rode up and jumped off his horse.  Walking over to the corral fence he said, “That’s a mighty fine one, isn’t he?  He will do your father proud, should he keep him.  If he doesn’t want him, I think you should ask for him.  Maybe you should ask for Captain too, since he responds better to you than anyone else.”  “He will never give them to me.  My brothers will get them before, I do.  You know that Martinez.”  “Si, it is true your brothers often get the very things you want, but you remind him of your mother and she was the one who knew horses.  Your father sees that in you.  I think he is waiting for you to ask.  If not he would have already given Captain to one of your brothers.  He watches you when you work with him.  He sees what I see.”
    “Martinez, I hope you don’t think I’m jealous of my brothers because of what I said.  I’m not, it’s just that, I wish Pa respected me the way he respects them. I’ve worked very hard to prove myself to him, but still I don’t think he sees how hard I work.”  “I don’t think you are jealous, but I would not worry on it too much, because the men they have more respect for you than they do your brothers. Most of the men, they would kill for you.  Do you not know this?”  “I don’t want them to kill for me.  I just want the respect I’ve earned.  I care about all the men, Martinez.  You’re all family to me.” 
    Martinez joined her in the center of the corral and took the colt from her hands.  “Come, let’s get those stalls cleaned and get you back to town, before Senora Ellen gets upset with you for being gone so long.

Chapter Nine
     
                  Jax sat atop a new ho rse, he picked out of the herd .  It was a buckskin mare with a white star on her forehead.  She was the prettiest mare he’d ever laid eyes on and he was itching to ride her.  He turned the rest of the horses out to pasture this morning and turned his stallion out with them. 
                  He kicked the mare toward town.  It was nearly breakfast time at Mrs. Ellen’s and his stomach growled just thinking about it.  The horse res p onded well to his cues .  He saw Virginia step out the door as he rode past. Her mouth dropped o pen as she watched him .  He stabled the horse at the livery and headed to Mrs. Ellen’s place .  Virginia was there waiting on him.  “Where did you get that horse?” she asked.  “I bought it.” He replied.  “When, did you buy them?” “When, I bought the others.”  “What others,” she asked, frustrated that he only gave her clipped answers.  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I bought fifty head of horses yesterday from one of the herds heading up to Montana.”  “Well can I see them?”  “What, no smart remarks, as usual, what’s wrong with you?  Are you feeling alright?”  “I’m fine, I just happen to love horses.”  “Really, I didn’t know that.”  “You don’t know a lot about me.”  “I’d say that’s mutual.”  
                  She crossed her arms, “Well can I see them or not?”  He exhaled a deep breath, “after closing time, you can ride out and see them.”  “Ok then, I’ll see you later.”  “Wait,