Cowboy's Past

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Alejandro, a cowboy, was no stranger to trouble; as a fierce, hot-tempered Domme on his cousin Miguel's Puerto Rican horse-breeding ranch. Trouble always made a beeline straight to him. His prized Paso Fino, Diablo (devil), a horse as spirited and stubborn as he was, had been a challenge from the start. Lately, they'd found a rhythm, a mutual respect born of shared experiences.

Alejandro grabbed Diablo's reins firmly, the troublesome horse nobody got close to, leading him out of the stable. A ride, they needed a ride, as if their anger was on the same race track. He wanted to help Lina with dinner but she'd shooed him out of the kitchen with a push towards the stables.

He chuckled, shaking his head at her pushes. Could she make him move if he didn't want to? 

“I don't think so, can she?” He teased Diablo. Diablo shook his mane responding to his low voice.

She brought out the Domme in him. He had the urge to go back in there and give her a light spank. Yes, he learned about being Domme like online! She hadn't even reprimanded him about looking at porn online and just laughed with him, teasingly! She was really an independent woman. This modern future was so different from 1930 Puerto Rico. Just being able to look up Paso Fino horse information online was still shocking and amazing! 

Diablo jerked back impatiently at the bit as Alejandro led him to the trail. He soothed him with his soft deep voice, 

"Ay, ay, tnsk, tnsk,” he made clucking sounds, “we're almost there, easy now. Ay, you want to mess with me? I see you want to trick me and gallop off, huh? What's that big brain of yours planning? Lina's cooking roasted pork for dinner so don't mess with me," he warned with good reason.

He teased Diablo again, noticing his frisky mane shaking. As the sun dipped low on the horizon, it cast the ranch in a warm, golden glow, spreading soft pinks across the sky. Instinctively he glared at the cliff and the glowing meteorite, the object that turned his life upside down in an instant. He shook his head, nobody would believe the truth, not even himself.

Right before December, getting ready for Christmas, and Ama's visit, he'd rode out on Gian to check the glowing rock on the cliffs, and time traveled to the future from 1924. He stared at the glow from here. Didn't it have an eerie Halloweenish glow? He'd be lying if he said he couldn't still feel the pull of it, calling him like a siren's song.

“Diantre! (Damn) That damn meteorite,” he cursed. 

Riding Diablo, he suddenly saw a cloud of dust on the trail and frowned. There should be no one out there at the cliff and yet there it was, a long dusty cloud, from a truck driving too fast. 

His heart pounded as he recognized trouble. Was someone after the glowing meteorite that had altered the course of his life? Who wanted that damn stone on his property? Murder flashed in his eyes. This time travel secret was dangerous! Why hadn't he thought about this?

"Diablo, rapido, rapido!" (Hurry, hurry) his voice filled with urgency and rage. 

Diablo, sensing his rider's heightened state, responded with a burst of speed. He squinted as they raced. He could see a black truck, doors open and two menacing, muscled mobster men sporting flashy casino jackets. That could only mean... Vera, that cheap bicha. 

Vera worked for those men; a casino celebrity model he'd had a run-in with. He'd hoped to never see her again! What had she told them? He snorted, indignant. Weren't they squared away? She'd done a hit-and-run to protect her reputation. She left poor Raphael, who's inheriting the ranch in a coma; Miguel's great, great, great grandson. He was only 18! Of course he'd protected him with his life. 

Raphael was Miguel’s Ranch future and had just barely learned how to drive. He'd unleash Miguel's fury in his stead. He couldn't even imagine the rage that Miguel would unleash on Vera, if he was still alive! Yes, he had Lina thank goodness but being in the future away from his family that he'd always protected felt strange. He felt strongly that he was here in the future to protect the ranch even if he wasn't sure if it was true. 

He flashed back to the police covering up Vera the casino celebrity's accident and clenched his fists. Unconsciously he stroked Diablo his horse a little harder and his jaw tightened. As a cowboy he always put his family and honor first.

“No son, you've done enough. We'll handle it from here,” the police officer fired back claiming Vera had driver's fatigue because she was the Campos Casino's darling.

"Vera, bicha you only cause trouble! You have no honor at that lousy casino," He spoke angrily on the trail into the dust. Some things he couldn't let go. He still felt the flashbacks from that car accident, rescuing Raphael.

At the entrance to the ranch unloading, it all happened so quickly. Holding his unconscious body was terrifying while waiting for the ambulance. Damn police covered it up, those casino trash, as if darling Vera could do no wrong! He'd pushed her into a pool to make her apologize and pay the hospital fees. Insulting Miguel's ranch? She better think again! He had no choice! Who did she think she was?

Alejandro's anger flared. "Vera, you estúpida!" (stupid) his voice filled with contempt. She was just trouble he didn't need, entangled with these dangerous men. Coward, she didn't even dare to give him a heads up! They raced to the rock, hooves thundering like his heart. 

"Dumb casino blonde," he swore, riding fast. As a cowboy, he'd grown up on the ranch working his ass off. He could never respect a woman like Vera, who worked for casino trash. They owned her. Could he risk them knowing about the meteorite? They must've been scouting the property, he thought, otherwise how could they have seen the glow on the cliff?

"Ay, caramba!" (Oh man)

What a mess trespassing, and ballsy. Didn't they know he could bury them out here! Did they think Miguel's ranch was a joke? They'd been here longer than the casino! It was time to teach them a cowboy's; history lesson! When it came to guns they had no experience complaining to how he felt now. He'd lived two lifetimes!

He could feel the weight of the metal gun on his hips, just a little closer. He needed to be strategic to win. This was a battle for life but they were on his property.

"Woah," he spoke softly, slowing Diablo down. His heart was already beating with interest. He needed to surprise them and he knew this area like the back of his hand. He breathed deeply and concentrated on killing. Would he not defend his territory? He was raised to work and protect his family. It didn't matter what time he was in! He knew his priorities.

He reached for the gun, his hand trembling slightly. As they closed in on the truck, he spotted one bending down near the glowing meteorite. Without hesitation and from years of experience, he aimed for the other's head and fired. The sound was explosive on the quiet dusty trail. The man crumpled to the ground and instantly died, leaving a head shot mess of blood and a distorted face on the dusty trail. “Dios mio,” (my god) He said a brief prayer, wishing it'd have been different but what choice did he have?

Leaping off Diablo, Alejandro slapped the inky dark horse's rear and sent him racing back to the ranch. Diablo, startled by the gunshot, took off like a bullet, his hooves flying against the dirt. Diablo getting hurt was too much of a risk. He was his prized Paso Fino after all. Seeing Diablo riderless, he knew Lina would come looking for him. He needed to hurry this up before she saw the obviously glowing meteorite.

Alejandro crouched behind the truck for cover, his heart racing after the bullet. The remaining mobster, panic-stricken, pulled out a Glock and fired. The bullet struck Alejandro's thigh, sending a wave of pain through his body. He groaned as the ringing sound of the Glock hurt his ears. Was he going to see his family again?

"¡Ay, caramba!" (Oh man) he exclaimed, gritting his teeth. 

The mobster, seeing his chance, jumped into the truck and spit at him as he peeled out. The man hoped he'd die out here leaving a story untold.

"Serves you right! Stay away from Vera! This is a warning."