DELBERT BRIGGS 17

when delbert got back home later that night he was carrying a sizeable check for the sale of the ingatherable cattle he had sent to marana. and he still had a fair size herd of cattle on the ranch. the loss of mason in the parking lot was something he regreted but not as is he had lost a releative. at one time mason had been what he considered a good friend but at some point the banker had crossed over to the wrong side morality. delbert rationalized that maybe jackson would see it as a bad omen and follow the purchase contract . . the next day delbert drove into town and went to the bank. he deposited the sale check aand then wrote a check for the ranch payment. that left a sizeable amount in his account. he needed supplys at the ranch before he started work on the cattle that were left.. at the local feed store he ordered a truck load of hay for the following week. . he bought a ton of rolled oats and a few other odds and ends. his hand was still so sore heknew working horseback would not be good. he used the pitchfork and begane cleaning the scrap hay out of his barn where the gasoline had been poured. by the tim his hay and grain arrived he would have it mucked out. his favorite horse cracker stood with his head over the fence watching him work he stopped and looked at the horse" you better enjoy the time off buster, when this hand gets better your gonna see a lot of landscape not to mention bovines!" the good horse threw his ears forward and nodded his head as if he understood. late that afternoon the barn was cleaned out ofhay that had been soaked in gasoline. a good pile stood out side the big double doors.the sweat was dripping off of delberts forhead. he surrveyed the pile wondering what to do with it. he heard a car comming down the drive way. he leaned on his pitchfork and looked that way. the small economy car of the woman who used to work at the bank rolled to a stop in front of his house. the long legged young woman slid out of the car. she was dressed as any good ranch woman would in wrangler jeans and colored cotton shirt and justin roper boots. she looked over at the barn and saw delbert standing there leaning on the fork. delbert was takeing in the vision of the young woman as she walked toward him. "what happened to your hand ?" she asked as she drew near. " had a altercation with a broken whiskey glass. i thought you left town?" delbert explained. " i did for a few days but thinking what those guys were doing kinda got to me. and then when i got back this morning i heard about mason. what happened there?" norma asked. "he ran from the wrong brand inspecter and didnt pay attention to where he was running.you hungry? let me do my chores and we can whip up some supper." delbert suddenly was at ease with this young woman. norma jumped in and helped him do his chores. . he didnt say so but he was impressed. in the house she opened the refridgerator and stared at what was there. " how do you cowboys do it. a roll of baloney and a jar of maynaise? really!" " let me clean up and ill take us to the chuckwagon steak house. i feel like celebrating. any how" delbert was rolling up his sleeves. " and just what are we celebrating?" norma asked. " mainly you being here. its not everyday a good looking woman comes around." delbert was washing up.