BATTLE AX REMNENT 23

connie rode on by rick and turned toward her trailer coiling her rope as she went. he back as ridgid as a ram rod. rick watched her ride away. barry rode up on ricks right side" youll do" thats all you could say? no wonder your still single ! that flat land girl just made a hell of a run through cactus and rock and roped a run away maverick and all you can say is youll do? cow boss!" barry rode on duane passed on the other side shakeing his head. rick sat there a moment and the enormity of the situation struck him. turning his horse toward connies trailer he rode up and dismounted. she was brushing her fresh un saddled horse when he stepped up. " i owe you a apology you made a hell of a hand catching that run off. i dont know what i was thinking. i hope you will forgive me." connie stopped brushing and turned around" i already have forgiven you but you did hurt my feelings. i do appreciate the apology tho . this place has taught me a lot. you have taught me a lot. we had no idea what we were getting into when we bought this mess. lets start fresh ok?" "deal" rick stuck his hand out but instead of shakeing it connit put her arms around his neck and hugged him close. " dont forget how that felt will you?" she smiled. rick stumbled back to the cook tent leading his horse. there he unsaddled then turned his horse loose. duane walked up to him as he was shutting the corral gate behind his horse." ime going to inventory all these cattle i would suggest you order a couple of trucks for tomorrow. we can ship everything out of here to marana sale barn. you cand connie can lein every animal here except the walking 7 steers. by my count those steers are a solid 32 head short. i dont think theres anything left here. you have fulfiled your deal with connies dad.lets ship out and break camp tomorrow then go figure it out in court if we have to." " theres still one cow i know of out there. so its not clean yet.but i can come back a little later for her if she dont die of old age first." rick laughed good after lunch go order those trucks."duane turned toward the tent.