TO FIND PEACE 29

cleve was snugging up the cinchas on the horses he had saddled for katey and himself. looking over the saddle seat of kateys horse he could see ty opening the gate to leave. but before he could drive out the white ford state truck scooted in past him. cleve gritted his teeth. " just what i need on a fine morning ". the ford came on to the house. but cleve saw ty s truck turn around and start back. the state truck rolled to a stop just about two feet to close tho the horses back end causing them to step side ways. from out of the truck the pudgy range man stepped" in case you dont remember me ime........" " i know who you are, what can i do for you?" cleve asked. it was plain he was struggling with his temper. " i just wanted to check and see what your going to do about that citation i gave that girl for your over grazeing the kj ranch?"the pompus little toad was really laying it on. cleve stepped around the end of the horse he had been saddling." well that must have been the paper i used in the out house. now if you will exciuse me ime headed out." with that the state man bleached white" you did what with it?" he screeched. " in the first place, the DEA over grazed the kj, not me, i de stocked it. you saw that. its destocked now if you go look, but then you have been looking because you cut the chain on the gate and have been trespassing. ill be into your office in a day or so to discuss this with your supervisor. now i got work to do so you better git.NOW!" cleve was building a tantrum, and ty saw it comming he stepped over to cleve" go get katey ill get rid of this rat. cleve stood a moment looking at ty " thank you" was all he said. he turned and started to the house. ty turned to the state man" you better leave he will be in town the next day or so. so you better go along. " ty said it in a even tone of voice but the sterness was there. the state man stood planted. deermined to show his authority. ty stepped up nose to nose and glared at the fat little man. the man backed away and stumbled to his truck " this isnt over you cant do this i work for the goverment" he was standing behind the open door of his truck. ty took a quick step to him and the state man jumped in his truck ,slammed the door and locked it then starting his motor drove out of the yard spinning his tires. ty watched him until he turned onto the county road and headed toward town. then he turned and walked to his truck. katey was waitting there. " thank you. we appreciate it, just dont get your self in trouble with him." " i never touched him, but if cleve would have come unglued it could have killed him, that little worm isnt worth it tell cleve he better go see about it the next day or so. "ty was getting in his truck" tell cleve if he needs a witness to call me. " as ty rolled out of the yard cleve came from the house headed to the saddle room when he got there he told katey" ole ty saved that state man a whippin and me a funnerall pretty good boy" katey beamed all over when he said that.

TO FIND PEACE 28

two mornings later in the early moments before sun up, cleve steped out on his porch with a hot cup of coffee in his hand he wanted to see the first spears of sunshine race accross his yard. while in the hospital it soaked in to him little things like that were important. they were a fine way to start the day. looking to his left ty was still rolled up in his bed roll snoreing and behind him he heard the soft step of katey as she came up behind him. she stepped out the door with her coffee cup in hand and stood beside him. cleve glanced down at her and realized all she wore was her night gowen." lord girl dont you have any clothes? whaat if ty was to see you that way?" he spoke just above a whisper. ' its ok, hes still asleep. he s going home today . he can sleep in." katey took a sip of the coffee. cleve returned his gaze to the yard. with all the rain the past few weeks greenery was comming up every where. under every mesquite tree, creosote bush and cat claw the green growth was popping. it was a fresh world that cleve was looking out at. what they didnt notice was ty had one eye open and from under the canvas cover of the bed roll he was takeing in katheys figure in the flimsey night gowen. he shifted a little and yawned. katey whipped around and went back in the house, slamming the screen door behind her. cleve looked over at ty" bout time you come to life. you can waste a whole day down in one of them things." the sun was raceing streks of sun light accross the yard. the little birds were hopping aaround the yard pecking at things to eat. cleve realized he was blessed for this time in his life. a god home, a good enviroment and good friends . ty sat up in his bed roll and ran a hand through his hair" is there anything you want me to do before i rim out of here for home?" " no, i think we are good. ill have katey pay you before you go. i want you to know how grateful i am. and for you keeping your word with me about katey. she means a lot to me you know." cleve was looking out accross the yard as he spoke. he flung the dreggs from his cup and set it on a little table and stepped down off the porch. " ill feed the horses" was all he said as he walked to the barn. inside the house katey was watching through the screen door while she tucked her shirt taail into the waist band of her denim pants. she then pulled her belt together and hooked it with a silver buckle. ty had won it at a team ropeing a few months earlier. she was adjusting the buckle as she came out the door. ty looked over at her and smilled " you know in some places that could be considered a engagment ring you are bound to me with it." " oh, then i better give it back" she grabbed for the buckle . " its a gift, no matter who thinks what. i want you to have it.engagment or no" ty was pulling his bed roll together. " ill be out of here pretty quick." ' not before breakfast, it on the stove. i like feeding you." katey turned to the door. cleve was comming across the yard stepping around the mud puddles. whistling a cowboy tune.