Cowboy's regret

Start Cowboy’s Regret

The violent storm hit with full force, the strength of the wind whipping through the plains, getting worse by the second.

The cowboys rode with their heads down, shoulders hunched in, trying to guard themselves from the icy weather. Just like the rest of the cowboys the large hat shielded his head, but his pants were soaking wet, even the leather chaps didn’t do much to protect him.

They had almost no visibility; the nearby hills he knew were there were not visible. It was April and the seemingly endless pastures were green with lush tall grass, but the spring snow storm was covering it in a thick white blanket. The slippery and ugly conditions were making it difficult to get around. Austin fervently hoped it was the last storm of the season. They’d already lost cattle this winter due to the horrendous weather. The tall, cloud covered mountains in the background were responsible for this ugly conditions. It seemed like they sent the last angry outburst down their sides before they allowed spring to come. It was just a reminder to the occupants of the valley down below that the mountains were there and that they were important.

One of the large herds had broken the winter-damaged fences and were scattered all over. They were still on the land belonging to the Jade family, but he didn’t want them near the raging rivers right now. Cattle that would slip and fall in the river would be lost; there was no chance of saving them. The only good thing was that the young calves would stay close to their mothers. They managed, with little luck, to get them all back to the high pasture. The snowstorm was easing and slowly the clouds were lifting up. The few older cowboys had already repaired the fences. Austin rode around inspecting the last of their work. The Big J ranch had been in his family for generations, he was the oldest son of Roy and Nelly Jade.

Austin wasn’t a stranger to hard work, even if he was one of the Jades - one of the most powerful families in the country. He worked alongside their hired hands, no job beneath him. The rest of his brothers were raised the same way; while they may be rich and powerful, they had a lot of responsibility and were required to work hard. The Big J ranch had thousands of acres of pastures. It was surrounded by three ranches, each of them just as big, and they all belonged to Jade family. Roy bought them, one for each of his sons, but for now they worked them as part of the Big J ranch. The ranches were only a small portion of their vast wealth.

The rest of their wealth came from many investments all over the country. The new rail project, shipbuilding shares and mines were just some of them.

Austin looked around making sure all his men were around and gave the signal that it was time to go back. They had finished just in time, the storm again picked up and was getting stronger. The relief on the cowboys’ faces was visible; they looked forward to a warm meal and dry clothing. They rode back to the ranch dwelling in comfortable silence.

All the work was done for the day, so Austin turned his horse and headed towards the main house: a three story white mansion sitting on a hill that could be seen all the way from Main Street of the little town of Kenth. The new house was built by his father Roy. The original log house was built by his grandfather and still stood a little lower by an old willow tree. It was more of a monument. Nobody lived there, but they still take care of it.

The Jade family lived alongside Matt Ewans, their only neighbour, and owner of the large ranch to the east; they were the main employers to residents of the little town. The jobs they provided were the main source of income for many. Kenth had all the necessities, but for bigger purchases they had to travel fifty miles to the south alongside the Elms river. Elms town itself was three times bigger than Kenth, and had all the big shops, bars and saloons. Elms was the last stop for a newly developed rail, and that was one of the primary reasons for its growth.

Austin, Donald, Wes, and Nolan would go to Elms to have some fun; they would play cards and visit the bar. They didn’t do that too often, with all the work, there wasn’t much time for leisure. Wes had more girlfriends than he had fingers. Donald only wanted one night stands, but he always left generous gifts behind. Nolan, the youngest of them, got his fun whenever possible.

Austin held his steady paramour for a couple of years now. Laura was a widow and the arrangement suited her as well as Austin. Especially because he paid all her expenses.

You don’t mention the word marriage in front of Jade brothers without getting dangerous looks. They were confirmed bachelors. The word marriage would send shivers down their spines. There were plenty of girls in Elms to satisfy their needs. Who needs a wife?

Having Roy for a father was demanding; he was a hard man to please most of the time and his sons took after him. They were tall and muscular with dark hair and handsome faces with high cheekbones, a straight nose and firm lips. Only their eyes differ; Austin had his mother’s blue eyes, the rest of the brothers had their father’s dark eyes. Austin was the tallest of them all, he was downright intimidating. It was not just his stature, but when his firm lips came tight together and his blue eyes took on a look of stormy weather everyone tried to stay out of his path. The exception was an old cowboy named Clay. He’d had worked for the Jade family for some years now. He was hired before Austin was born. Clay was like a second father to him, and Austin never got angry with old Clay. No matter what silly thing he would do, Austin would turn a blind eye to it. Clay would always chew the end of his cigar when he was in trouble, so Austin knew he’d probably forgotten to order something at the general store.

***

Olivia and her father looked around the tiny cottage after Mrs. Helms unlocked the door. The stale air hit them immediately; movement in the middle of the room uncovered a few mice that were dispatching in every direction finding holes in the walls. The small cooking stove in a corner and a couple of mismatched chairs were the only furniture in the tiny space. The other rooms consisted of a small bedroom with a tiny window, and the pantry. With a little scrubbing and airing it wouldn’t be so bad.

It was more than they left behind. The drought down South raged and burned all in its path. Olivia and her father had to move quite far up North for her father to find employment. They were grateful for the job her dad got at the Big J ranch.

Kenth wasn’t a big place and finding accommodation was difficult. Ones they got to town they asked around and after he thought for a few moments the town’s blacksmith sent them to see Mrs. Helms. She was a widow living alone and the little cottage stood empty at the end of her property. It had not been used for some time. She looked at the two people with nowhere to go and opened her heart to them.

Olivia’s curly long hair, the colour of honey, was beautiful. Her deep violet eyes, full pink mouth on a heart shaped face with flawless skin, made many young men turn their heads. Her happy nature and a kind heart were as beautiful as Olivia herself. Olivia’s nineteen years had not been easy. Her mother had died when she was only eight years old, she’d had to learn responsibility at an early age. Her father did the best he could and they were never hungry, but they worked hard for it.

***

Eventually, the weather cooperated and gave a few sunny days. Land dried up and turned the pastures into the deep green colour that announced spring season. Warmer weather brought rivers even higher. Austin and Donald were riding their horses making rounds and inspecting fences, they were making sure the episode from a few days ago didn’t repeat itself. Only a few cows were lost in the river and a couple of them managed to get out. They were lucky the number of lost cattle was low.

Austin spotted Clay heading towards them riding his faithful Rosie. The mare must have been the same age as him, but he wouldn’t want to hear about getting a new horse. Riding alongside him was another cowboy.

They usually did the hiring of new hands themselves, but due to extra work they had at this time of the year they let Clay do it. They expected someone younger though, this guy was in his forties. Both brothers touched the tip of their hats and nodded.

Austin was trying to raise horses, this was his latest project. Albert worked with horses on the ranch down south. Experienced and hard-working hands were hard to come by these days, so Austin decided to give him a trial run. They returned to the ranch, and checked the inventory making sure there was enough nails and boards. Tomorrow morning they were heading to the northern pasture to repair fences.

Clay didn’t order enough nails again, needing some other stuff as well Austin rode to town. The Main Street was mainly empty at this time of the day. He was tying his horse in front of the general store, and observing a screaming wife getting her husband out of the saloon.

He climbed the few stairs leading to the covered porch of the general store. Two pillars holding the porch looked kind of sad with paint peeling off of them. He opened the brown stained doors and walked in. The store was generally empty, and Mr. Whity was serving his only customer. A young girl, in a grey dress, patched twice over, and shoes with holes in them, was packing a few purchases in her basket. Austin, who generally never looked at a woman twice, got himself staring.

She counted a few coins and handed them to the store owner. Not even this ugly grey dress could hide her beauty. A tiny waist, the slight swell of her breast, and her long honey coloured hair was falling down to her lower back.

He imagined it spread all over his pillow, kissing those full lips. The blood boiled in his veins at the thought of it, and the speed of his heart increased. Her cheeks coloured when she slipped out beside him. The deep colour of her eyes astonished him; they were deep violet. He was lust struck. Who was she?