the sale barn

the bob tail truck rolled to a stop  at the check in chute for the auction barn. a skinny little town cowboy helped unload the cattle the dark puncher had in the truck. upon filling out the check in slip and giving the puncher his copy the skinny  town hand walked the cattle to their pen. but before he could close the gate the big wild steer ran over him like a pay train over a tramp. he blew snot in the boys face and jumped high as he went by. the dark puncher had turned to watch and eased over and chained the end gate shut.when the big steer dead ended he turned and started back the way he had come and ran into the pen with the other cattle. hiding himself in the back of the pen. the town boy had shut the gate and chained it and was wiping the snot and fresh green manure of his face when the dark puncher quietly said, looking through the fence " that ole steer is a little snotty, huh?
  the puncher ambled to his truck and moved it to the far edge of the parking lot where it wouldn't get blocked in. in the sale barn he went into the restaurant and ordered a coke and blt sandwich. when it came the grease was dripping from the bacon, the lettuce wilted and the tomato sliced extra thin. he took two bites and opened the little bag of potato chips and found them stale. he slurped the coke , paid the tab and went out. the sale that day was short. his cattle had brought more than he planned so while the last few head were selling he went to the office window. a pretty brunette with big brown eyes, and a quick white flashing smile slid his envelope through the window. she leaned forward just a bit exposing a ample cleavage and asked " will you be at matts tonight? they have a live band and its a Christmas party."
   the puncher had turned to leave but looked back." iris, I might be, ill by you a drink if I am. "
  I don't want the drink, I want a slow , close dance and breakfast" the coyness in her voice was inviting.
 " you always want  what I  aint got darling, I cant dance and I don't cook." he smiled and walked outside. as the door closed the secretary smiled and under her breath said " someday."
 the bank was getting ready to close when the bobtail truck pulled up. striding inside to the counter the puncher pulled the envelope out, took out the check and told the teller he wanted to cash it.
 " please endorse it" the teller asked
   he turned the check over and scrawled ARCH HAWKINS at the top.
  a hour later after a hair cut he was browsing through the sabas western wear store picking out new wranglers, a white shirt and a few other items. as he was paying for them he thought of the party at matts. and the brunette. the thought crossed his mind " I guess I could learn to dance and cook " he headed to the motel to clean up.
  a hour later he walked in the back door of matts. it was considered the best cowboy bar in town. tourist didn't very seldom find it as they were all down at whiskey row. but matts was where the real, sure enough every day cowboys and rodeo hands hung out. from his vantage point inside the back door arch could see couples dancing to a lively tune played by john harts cowboy band. 4 stools down the bar iris was talking to a gray headed puncher that arch only knew  as steve who worked at the  3 T RANCH. arch slipped up to the end of the bar and when the bar tender got to him he ordered a jim beam double and told the man to give steve and iris another drink on him. when the man delivered the drinks arch kept his head down and behind the man next to him. steve never broke stride with his tale to iris, but iris head snapped up looking all around. finally she collered the bar tender" who bought this?" she demanded
  the bar tender pointed down the bar and turned to another thirsty customer. sliding off the bar stood she marched down the bar toward arch. steve was left talking to himself.
  ' I TOLD YOU I DIDNT WANT A DRINK" SHE SAID WITH HER HAND ON HER HIP, THAT BRILLIANT SMILE CROSSING HER LIPS.
  " well, its a start, the rest may come later" arch was grinning a crooked smile as he took her hand and started to the dance foor. " I cant cook worth a damn but there is room service" he draweled.