BRONC PEELER 11

the next morning jim drove his team with the buckboard through the gate at the horse camp. behind him followed 5 mares and colts with kate bringing up the rear. when everything got through the gate she stoped and sat there. jim drove down to the corral where bill had opened a gate. the five mares were clean limbed and had some size. they were some of the youngest mares that were in the brood mare band. jim sat there watching bill close the gate. " you forgot these the other day when you left." was all jim said. bill looked out at kate sitting her horse at the gate. " whats that about?bill asked pointing to her. " ime not sure but i think she is embarrased." jim said. " well tell her to come on in and ill fix us some lunch. ime not sore so she dont need to be embarassed." bill started to the house. jim stood up in his buckboard and waved at kate to come on. after a moment he waved again then she slowly started to the cabin. later when they had finished lunch jim sat back in his chair and grinned. the cows you guys bought will be here at the nend of the week. you better get around the old mossy horses we got and make sure they are still with us. between the horse works and me getting down we are way behind. . i heard of a out fit with some peter mccue bred horses over across the state. i think ill drift over and take a look maybe pick up a stud prospect. you two try not to get at each others throats." he got up and walked out side. bill followed him while kate was cleaning the table. " dont you want some one to go with you?" bill asked. " no. ime good. i wont get in no hurry. that guy who bought the mares told me the blue roan we sold to the rodeo man, flipped over and busted up a rider pretty bad. ime going to go by the hospital and see how he is doing. that bronc is what convinced me to get out of the horse business. keep a eye on kate while ime gone. she is too self confident. i cant stand to loose another one." jim was picking his teeth while he talked. bill nodded.: you want me here or at the headquarters?" he asked. " its a closer ride to the cows from the headquarters, bring your bed and stay there until i get back. she may not like it but i would feel better." jim said. " i wont torment her. we can go in different directions every day. dont worry about us." bill assured jim. jim stired up his team and started back to the head quarters. kate hesitated for a bit. " you comming over?" she asked. " ill be there tomorrow afternoon. ill put these mares out and make sure everything here is secure. ill put my bed in your barn. i wont be a problem. "bill told her. " barns got rats, put your bed on the porch. not as far to the coffee pot either. " kate smiled and reined her horse to follow jim. " ok boss" bill quetly said as she rode away.