BATTLE AX REMNENT 7

connie still hadnt come to eat. rick looked out from under the cook tent to see where she was. he was shocked at what he saw. she had rolled a awning out that shaded one side of her liveing quarters trailer. a patch of green poly grass was unrolled under the awning and she sat in a lawn chair sipping a cold drink. but, the worst was she now wore a pair of cut off denim short shorts, a halter top and a pair of oakly sunglasses!her blonde hair was hanging loose down her neck to her shoulders. behind him barry and mickey were gawking around rick at her. rick dropped his plate on the counter of the chuck wagon and marched out across the space between it and connies trailer. when he marched up she pushed the sun glasses back up on her forhead."lady when its time to eat here WE eat. as in all of us. we dont keep the cook waitting. and on top of that, YOU dont dress that way around a all man crew. put some clothes on! these men need to keep their minds on their work. if they arnt they could get hurt bad. we cant have that. now get dressed and ill escort you to supper!" connie slowley stood up, anger flashing across her face"you dont tell me........" she didnt get any farther. " yes i do tell you. you told me you would agree for me to run this works and not get in the way or be bossy. i dont want to call leo on this. get some clothes on NOW!" rick was being firm. connie went into the trailer and came back with the designer jeans and was buttoning a shirt over the halter top"will this be alright?"she asked sarcasticly. rick walked with her to the cook tent and watched as she got a plate. jake ladeled food on to it. finally she pulled back " thats good" when everyone had finished eating rick had them gathr around." barry, tomorrow i want you to pack some salt up into johnny long. theres a pack saddle and salt block frames in the front of my trailer. leave a block or two on the bank of the wash where the trail back here crosses. mickey, you ride the east side of bronco mesa. check for any trails comming down off the top. both of you go slow i know its eough so dont take a chance on crippling a horse. barry, when you unload the salt at the wind mill go on past there and check out the rest of the canyon maybe meet mickey up at the head. dont stir the cattle any more than nescessary." "what time are we leaveing?" connie asked. rick turned to look at her" WE arnt leaveing, you stay here with me." connie bristled" why? i came to see this ranch, i cant see it here!" " i dont want any more riders out there than nesessary. i dont want those cattle stired up until we all have a chance to get them in the corral. believe me you will see plenty of this out fit before its over! you help me and jake tomorrow. if you dont want to do that then stay at your trailer out of the way."rick made it final.