Cowgirl Up Read Free

a chuckle.
    Melissa finished her meal and turned to her. “Are you ready to see your room and get a shower?”
    “Yes, ma’am, if it’s not inconvenient for you.”
    “No, not at all,” Melissa answered.
    “I’ll see you boys in the morning then.”
    “Thanks for a great meal, Coal.”
    “You’re most welcome.”
    They left the men to chatter amongst themselves as they walked up to the farmhouse.
    “She’s a damned good worker.” Coal heard one of the hands say before they closed the door.

    †

    “You appear to be fitting in quite well with the boys,” Melissa said.
    “A good meal goes a long way with hungry men.”
    “It’s not just that. Stan told me that you worked as hard or harder as the rest of them all day in this heat.”
    “I’m used to the heat and hard work, ma’am.”
    Melissa waited to see if she would elaborate on her comment, but she remained silent as she gave her a tour of the house. Melissa opened a bedroom door and Coal found her bag sitting at the end of the bed.
    “The bathroom is there,” she said. “Make yourself at home, and let me know if you need anything.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Conway.”
    “Please just call me Melissa.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”

    †

    Coal watched her walk from the room, then picked up her suitcase and laid it open on the bed. She took out the few items of clothing that she had and tucked them away in a small dresser. She left out a pair of shorts and another tank top of army issue and went in search of a hot shower. She showered, dressed, and then slipped on a worn pair of tennis shoes. She reached into the outer pocket of her suitcase, pulled out a small wooden object, and left the house.
    Melissa heard the shower start as she walked into the living room to watch some television. She was deep into a program when she heard the back door open and close.

    †

    The moon was full and lit the yard as Coal walked over to the corral, where twenty or so horses were milling around, and climbed the fence. She lifted a wooden flute to her mouth and began to play. Several heads popped up from the curious horses to study her when they heard the music, and they slowly began to move closer to her.
    Melissa had left a window cracked for some fresh air, and a haunting melody floated across the yard from the corral to soothe her senses. The music was refreshing and relaxing. Melissa found herself pulled toward it. She glanced out the window and saw Coal sitting on the top rail of the corral as the horses crowded around her. She listened for a half hour, and when she could no longer hold her eyes open, she walked to her room and climbed into the bed. She could still hear the faint sound of the flute as she drifted off to sleep.
    Coal looked over the stock as she played and was very pleased with the confirmation of the horses. Strongly built, they would make excellent pleasure or working stock. She didn’t mind the labor of haying or fence work, but really looked forward to training the young horses. She preferred to use the techniques developed by her ancestors with Apache bloodlines to train horses. She was pleased to see a large lake behind the barn; it would work into her plans perfectly. She was sure the rest of the hands would train the young horses using traditional domination methods to break the spirit of the horse, but hopefully she would be able to train a large portion of them.
    A beautiful black stallion caught her attention as he eyed her curiously. He was solid black except for a white star on his forehead, and if not for the star and the bright moonlight, he would have been almost invisible, moving like a shadow in the night.
    Her body reminded her that she was exhausted from a long day in the heat, and it didn’t appear there was a break in the weather on the horizon. She climbed down and walked to the house, entering the back door and slipping quietly into her room. The cool sheets felt wonderful against her skin, and she was asleep seconds after her