TO FIND PEACE 15

TWO DAYS LATER CLEVE SADDLED TWO HORSES AND LEFT THEM TIED AT THE SADDLE ROOM. HE AND KATEY TOOK THE LOAD OF HAY ON TO THE K J TO FEED THE COWS..cleve was wanting to get to working the cows. some of the younger cows were strong enough to stand sorting branding or if they were already branded hauling to town. the sumer monsoons werent far away he wanted all the cattle off the kj before that happened. it would give the ranch a chance to recover. at the kj corral they unloaded a dozen bales as they had before and then proceeded to feed the rest on the two track road as they did every day before. cleve had a eighty acre trap at his corrals that was deeded. he could hold this bunch of cows and feed them there with no problems as they liquidated them. when they had fed the cows along the road they pulled back up to the corrals and he and katey started breaking bales in the corral when done katey walked over to the gate to the road to open it for the truck. she didnt notice cleve leaning against the trailer in a relaxed posture. as she pushed the gate open she saw a horseman comming down the road leading two horses. she looked back at cleve but he was fiddling with a peice of hay twine. as the rider drew neared she realized it was ty. he had cleves horse and ole bob in tow and long trotting toward her. as he rode through the gate he smiled at katey. " sorry ime late." was all he said. he rode on over to cleve. " close the gate darlin" cleve yelled at katey. when katey got back to where cleve and ty were cleve was snugging the cinchas on both saddle horses" i found us some day labor partner. we are gonna take this bunch of nellies back home. stick ole bob up yer butt and lets get them headed that a way. " cleve mounted and grinned over at ty. who had ducked his head at the remark. katey did her best to look like she had spent her life horseback , she mounted and picked up her bridle reins and the three started to the back end of the hay grounds. once again the cows had cleaned up the hay and were starting to the corrals on their own when they reached the end of the hay ground cleve sent ty down one side and he and katey took the other side. as they rode along katey was fidggiting. " why didnt you tell me he was comming today?" she asked cleve. " you would have been worthless looking for him. we are gonna keep him around for a few days." cleve chuckled as he rode out around a pair and put them in the drive. in just a short while they had all the cattle in sight in the corral. cleve sent katey to open the gate she was to go out on the road past the gate and make sure all the cattle turned to ward the home place. just as she got the gate opened the state truck roared up and stopped blocking the gate. the pudgy range con leaned out the window" where is cleve?" he asked in his most official voice. katey pointed to the corral where cleve and ty were turning the cows out of the corral. the corral was spotless of hay. ty rode along one side of the cows pointing them toward the gate. cleve was in the corral pushing the drags out. as he rode through the gate he saw the state truck coming up through the cows. ty was working himself silly holding the drive together. cleve clenched his jaw and growled. the state man stopped in front od cleve" i need to talk to you cowboy." he demanded. " when we get these cattle at home you can talk all you want. but until then ime busy. now get your truck out on the road so we can shut and lock the gate." cleve rode on by the truck following the cattle out the gate. he turned and waited for the state man to come out on the road. ty had taken the point of the drive keeping the cattle lined out in a long string. the day was already heating up. they didnt want to over heat the little calves. katey came up to cleve who motioned her ahead. when the state truck came out on the road cleve swung the gate shut and padlocked it. the range con leaned out his window" ime going to site you for over stocking the state permit with all these cattle!" cleve rode on past him" what cattle? i dont see no cattle in there." cleve struck a trott and caught up with the drags and katey.

TO FIND PEACE 14

when the trailer was unloaded at the sale barn cleve and katey went into the cafe in the auction barn. it was a bit early for lunch but they ordered hamburgers any way. cleve went to the inspecters office and explained the situation on the kj cattle. the brand inspecter told him he would be out the next few days to make a plan.. he inspected the cattle that cleve had brought to townn useing the purchas agreement from the bank to show owner ship. the auction barn had a short run of cattle and they were through selling around 2 in the afternoon. the kj cattle were some of the last to sell. the 4 dairy cows brought a bit more than cleve had hoped for and the rest brought good prices. they werent fat but had good frames. the feeder buys liked that. cleve explained these things to katey as the cattle sold. when the sale was over cleve went to the sellers window and picked up their cheeck. " lets go to the bank, before they close." he told katey. at the bank cleve went in alone , katey was a bit embarrased from the manure spattered on her close.when cleve came back to the truck he didnt say a word but drove down town to a western wear store. when he pulled into a parking spot katey looked at him with a unasked question. when he turned the key to off he fished into huis pocket and came out with a wad of green backs. he handed to to her. " theres five hundred there its your share of the cows that sold.ime sure you need a few things, ill wait here." katey looked at the cash then at cleve" what about the bank?" she blurted out. " i took care of them first so we are covered. enjoy the shopping ." cleve smilled at her. katey slowley got out of the truck and went to door of the shop she stopped and looked back at cleve who waved her on into the store. two hours later katey came back with a arm load of packages and a boot box and a new black felt hat atop the blond hair.when she got in the truck she beamed at cleve" i may not be a hand but at least ill look the part." " well it wont take long to make you act the part as well as look it. i know a place that serves good cowboy food and beer , you ready?" cleve was starting the truck. katey was nodding and grinning on a back street was a little bar and resteraunt combo called the GREEN FROG. cleve and katey took seats in a booth on one side of the little dance floor. a couple of young men sat at the bar. cleve knew them as good cowboys. they ordered supper and beer and were talking about working the rest of the kj cows when one of the boys at the bar went to the juke box and fed some coins into. presently a slow toby keith song started to play. the young man walked across the dance floor to katey" would you care to dance with a clumsey puncher." katey looked over at cleve for his permission. " he didnt ask me to dance, its up to you." cleve told her. she slid out of the booth and slipped into the arms of the puncher.they danced until the waiter brought kateys supper. the cowboy brought her back to her table. he looked at cleve " i didnt know a old grizzled puncher as you had such a pretty daughter cleve." he turned to katey " thanks for the dance i hope we can do it again." he then went back to the bar, " do you know him?" katey asked as she dug into her food. " yep, good kid from a good family. they got a outfit accross the valley. his name is ty wilkins. i wouldnt have let you dance with him other wise." cleve kept eating when they had finished cleve got up and went to the bar to pay the tab. katey could see he was talking to ty while he was paying the ticket. when he came back he said" we beter roll, we got lots of work ahead of us." katey looked to ty who gave her a slight nod and a wave she returned the wave and let cleve take her out the door. ALL THE WAY HOME THEY TALKED ABOUT THE WORK THEY WERE LOOKING AHEAD. BUT EVERY DAy was to start with feeding a trailer load of hay. but cleve was fast thinking about bringing the kj cows to his corrals. the wouldnt have to haul the hay as far and they wouldnt be haveing to hurry back horseback to sort and brand. they could use cleves squeeze chute for the bigger slicks . katey was getting into the swing of things with a lot of enthusiasim.