THE BRONC PEELER 20

the next morning bill opened the gates and let the cows and fresh branded calves back into the country they came fromhe knew there was some more out there but didnt want to pen them until jim paid the county tax s on his 150 head of original cows.when the county folks were paid he didnt think they would be comming around. he gathered the holding pasture and found they had another 110 head to market. he got jim to one side. " go into town and contact ed tovera and see what he will give for these. '" bill pointed to the cuts. " we will start them to town as soon as you get started. ." bill explained. jim hobbled to the barn and with the help of the farm boyys got his team hitched. he then stirred them up and took the road to town. " ok boys lets kick these nellies down the road behind him."bill barked a order. kate swung the gate open and as the cattle came out she and bill took the point and headed the drive toward town it would be late tonite by the time they got there but the numbers on the ranch were considerably lighter as far as a tax man could tell. bill was hopeing they wouldnt come to the ranch. if jim just went to the county office and paid the bill not mentioning the sale of this bunch or ther purchase of the white face cows. bill hoped if they didnt rock the boat things would stay settled. two days later jim stood on the porch counting out cash , paying off the two hired hands. when jim had wired the packing house he found they were bad need of cattle they quoted him a price that was more than he had hoped for. he excepted and the money had been wired to the local bank. jim didnt touch the money but the packing house had rail cars spotted and when the herd arrived they had loaded and sent the cattle to the packers. then jim drew the money. he went to the court house and paid the taxes on the cattle. when he got home he started paying the boys and even added a ten doller bonus. bill sat on a stump at the barn watching the whole show. behind him he heard kate come from the barn. "you happy cow boss? we pulled it off for one more year. i just hope jim dont get caught with the fudged numbers," " if no one blabbs and the boat dont get rocked i think we will be good. those two are good boys, i told them we would have them back when we work again. i think they are not even sure how many cattle we worked. but i warned them about telling people what we were doing out here. the rodeo hits town next week. you wanna take the time off and go? i bet ole jim like to go see his ponys perform." kate looked hard at bill. " is that what your going to do? go watch?" " i havent decided yet. i know one pat of me says i can rie that ole blue snake. but you and jim tell me not to. i know jims reasoning, he dont want his ranch hand hurt. but whats yours?" bill was pushing the subject. " your a little past the age of being a bronc peeler, you got a darn good old man going to back you to the hilt here. yes he dont want you hurt or worse." kate answered. " you didnt answer me. what do you want from me?"bill asked " i dont want to be a widow a second time. thats what ime thinking . and yes, you havent asked me but i think you will, but i wont say yes if your going to keep getting on those bad horses" " no one tells me what to do or not to do. but ill think on it." bill looked up and saw jim stumping along toward them. "kate would you mind if we have a word?"jim asked. kate simply nodded and started to walk toward the house, but then she stopped and looked at bill. then went on. " that girl has a case on you . you know that?"jim asked bill. bill looked at his feet" yes, and ill tell you its not a one way deal. i feel the same way about her." bill mumbled. jim dug down in his pocket and came out with a wad of cash. he started counting" you havent drawen hardly any wages since you been here. i know your probably going to use some of this to enter that bronc rideing. i wish you wouldnt, but its your money you earned it. " he handed the counted cash to bill, then started counting again. when he reached 500 he held it out" this is what rideing that bronc will get you. ill pay it if you will pass on the event. ive lost one man i had high hopes for, i dont want to loose another." bill shook his head. , just hang on to that. ime not sure if ill get on that snake or not. i understand how you and kate feel. but you need to understand how i feel. i have some pride left in this body. just let me think on it. you offering me cash, kate offering herself . no one ever did that before , either way. put that cash away some place.you may need it the county man showes up. i just dont know if ime ready to give these broncs up yet. but you two make a pretty good case. let me think on it."