Of Wolves and Men Read Free

reply, Butch gave Harley a nudge towards the ominous bird.
    Harley got one look at it and yelped, hightailing his way back to the ranch.
    Butch and Charlie exchanged surprised glances. “That dog doesn’t run from nothin’!” Butch said.
    “Let’s just get this done.” Charlie tried to ignore the crow but it wasn’t easy.

    After an hour of repair work, Charlie loaded up his tools and removed more items from the saddle.
    “You are not taking that thing with us.”
    Charlie ignored Butch’s protests, using a plastic tarp to secure the carcass to a rope. “I am.”
    “I thought you were the sane one out of us, Charlie. I don’t know what’s come over you.” Butch loaded up the tools, strapping the saddle pouch’s buckles tight.
    Tying the rope to the back of Spirit’s saddle, Charlie gave it a tug. Spirit looked uneasy with the new load, shifting and snorting twin blasts of steam into the cooling air.
    They were losing daylight and needed to head back.
    Charlie put his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg up and over the horse, picking up the reins.
    He looked back at the bluewrapped deer carcass they were dragging, and then did a last scan for the crow. It was gone. Charlie didn’t know when it had left, but was glad it had.
    He tapped Spirit with his boot heels and made a noise to let him know to begin their trek back.
    Butch was quiet as he followed behind, as if keeping tabs on the dead deer.
    Charlie began to daydream as he rode; the season of snow and ice ahead, working hard to make sure the animals were well fed cared for in the upcoming months…
    The horse snorted, waking him from his stupor. He gave the twilight sky a scan. It was beautiful, with pinkish purple wisps of clouds behind the hilly landscape. Just as he was about to get lost in his thoughts once more, he caught sight of a dark shape moving between pine trees. It could have been anything; elk, pronghorn, cougar, bison, moose… The wildlife in this area was plentiful. It’s what Charlie loved most about living in the area.
    A set of glowing green eyes nearly scared him do death.
    Charlie asked Butch, “What’s that over there?”
    “Where?”
    “There!” Charlie lost sight of it.
    “More crows?” Butch laughed.
    “Never mind.” The rest of the way Charlie felt as if he was being watched, followed, but he knew he was just being stupid.
    Chapter 2

    By the time he and Butch arrived back at the barn it was nearing five. He made sure Spirit was well tended before his attention was involved with more urgent matters. In the next stall, Butch was doing the same to Scout, settling him in for the night. Charlie could hear Butch’s low murmuring, talking to the sturdy painted horse. He smiled. Everyone who worked this ranch had a soft spot for horses, and each man had his own to baby.

    Charlie gave Spirit a sugar cube and a last pat on the head. He backed out and closed the door and bolt.
    “What the hell are ya going to do with that?” Butch pointed to the wrapped carcass.
    “I’m going to call Doc McMurray.” He took his mobile phone out and checked his watch.
    “She’ll be eating dinner.”
    “Shut up and go away.” Charlie put the phone to his ear.
    Butch stayed quiet but stood by.
    “Doc, it’s Charlie over at the Norman Ranch.”
    “Hello, Charlie, what can I do for you?”
    “I hope I didn’t catch ya at a bad time.”
    “You don’t worry. Are the horses all right?”
    “Yeah, knock wood.” Charlie rapped his knuckles on a thick support stud. “I found me a deer up in the woods when I was fixing the fencing.”
    “She hurt?”
    “No, Doc, she’s dead. But the way she died…that’s what worries me.” He peeked at Butch who was gazing at the blue tarp.
    “What do you mean, Charlie?”
    “I have a bad feeling, you know? Like some stupid satanic cult is at something. Can you take a look at her?”
    “I will. That kind of thing troubles me as much as you. Can you bring her here, or do you want me to come