THE LONE OLD TIMER 8

cleo couldnt get a handle on buck. he was easy going and talkative until they pulled up at the ropings for the past three weeks she had gone with him to the roping, he didnt always win and when he didnt he wasnt angry. but from the time they arrived until they left when the roping was over he was sullen, he seemed like he was expecting a fight. he went about competing like it was a war. other than wes the rest of the competitors shyed away from him they all wanted to rope with him but stayed away other wise.he didnt drink anything but soda dureing the roping but afterwards wasnt opposed to a beer or a shot of boubon if it was there. a couple of times after supper thay had stopped at the little tavern where they had met and had a drink and bought a bottle to take home. he showed affection for her but never pushed it any farther than a good night kiss. she knew he was self concious about his scared face and gray hair but she had made a point of letting him know it didnt bother her at all. looks wernt as important as the soul of the man, and she saw a good one in buck. at the ranch dureing the week buck was takeing cows with calves to his foot hills pasture. if the calf wasnt branded he took the time to corral them and brand and vaccinate the calf. by his count he had almost half his herd moved up into the hills that way. the good thing about that work he was horseback daily and covering a lot of country. he found no more evidence of theft or vandalism. dureing that time cloe preyed on his mind. he had taken a strong likeing to her and really for the first time in a long time enjoyed her company. he was actualy looking forward to their weekend get together. but the thought of her getting tired of seeing the burn scars and white hair still lingered. in the yard at his house he had a saw horse with the hind end proped up off the ground. every night he got home he spent a good hour throwing heel loops at the saw horse. it was a war. he had to be the best.

THE LONE OLD TIMER 7

when you entered a draw roping the book keeper drew you three partners. buck found he had drawen wes the brand inspecter. on one hand wes was probably the best horn roper for miles, but on the other some one could clai wes was giveing him preferational treatment . he mentioned that to wes but he only laughed it off. buck decided if wes wasnt worried he wouldnt be either. bucks first two partners didnt do so well one missed his steer, the other ran the steer to the bottom end of the arena before ropeing it buck had heeled the steer but they were so long chances of comming back in the third go, even if their second run was to be fast wasnt good. when buck and wes were called to rope buck backed baldy in the far corner of the heelers box and glued his eyes on the steer. o the headers side wes had his buckskin head horse squared up in the box. his loop ready. he nodded and as the steer hit the score line the buckskin left the box like a rocket three fast strides and he was in position and wes let fly with the head loop encircling the steers hornes. wes pulled the slack out of the rope snugging the loop around the the steers hornes. at almost the same time the good buckskin had started dragging his butt and slideing into a left hand turn. as that was happening wes wrapped his rope around the saddle horn. the steer was switched into a left hand turn in tow behind wes. baldy had been running off to the right of the the steer. buck picked nhis loop up and began to swing it over head as the steer switched directions. baldyhad automaticily spun in behind and to the left of the steer . as the steer took a hop buck delivered his loop to a standing position in front of the steers hind legs. the steer hopped into the loop and buck raised his hand to hold the loop around the steers legs baldy had slid to a stop and as the rope came taught buck dallyed it around his saddle horn. as it all came tight the buckskin switched ends and was faceing down the rope. all that happened in a quick six seconds.they were the fastest team in the first round. in the seond round buck and his other partner were a ten second run, to long to put them in the third round. but wes and buck came blazeing on a hard running steer . when their run was done it stopped the clock at eight seconds and two tenths. though all this cleo sat watching. she couldnt believe this old time could rope this well. he was by far the best in the crowd she couldnt wait for the third round. as the second round was finishing buck strode up to where cleo was setting. " well lady what do you think? you like roping steers?" " with a smart smirk cleo turned to buck" you never done this before have you. just a beginner huh?" " i am haveing a good day so far theres no doubt. but my ropeing is right up there with my good looks!" buck laughed. cleo giggled and reached over and pulled buck close and kissed him" thats for the ropeing part, not the good looks" buck straightened up and grinned,"well the good lookss may have to move in on that later." when the third round started wes and buck were the first to rope. they had such a lead on the rest of the group it was a anstated plan to go a step or two and be sure of their catches. and that was what they did a eight second run no one but them had roped a steer that fast all day and their plan held together giveing them the first place win. while buck was unsaddling baldy cloe came up and put her chair in the back of the truck " that kiss did the trick lady"buck smilled at her" i may have to keep you around just for that!" " i think that could be arranged cowboy if supper is involved" cloe stated. at that wes stepped up with a hand full of cash. he told cloe to hold out her hand and started counting the money into her hand, when he had counted half into her hand he looked at her and said" i think that will get you supper" they made plans to go eat supper at the best mexican food cafe in town cloe folded the cash and stuffed it down the front of her blouse into her bra. we may have to re think this partnership" buck laughed at wes as he loaded baldy in the trailer. both were laughing as buck started the truck.