THE BRONC PEELER 5

a week latr billy had 5 head of horses including the blue roan tied head to tail as he rode into the headquarters yard. jim sat on the porch whittling a stub of a stick. he waved at billy as he rode by and yelled" turn them in that first corral you got here at just the right time." billy started untying the lead ropes and letting the broncs drag the rope. as he got down to the blue roan he verry carefully stepped to the horses shoulder. as he reached to untie his lead rope the roan pinned his ears and tryed t bite him. billy just got his arm back before the broncs teeth snapped empty air. billy had the temptation to jab a finger in the horses eye but knew it would be a wasted jesture. he carefully tried again watching the blue broncs head. the horse knew the moment he was loose and jerked away and ran to the loose horse. " he s a bit snotty huh?" jim called from where he was watching at the fence. " a bit dont cover it. what you got in mind for that hellion" billy was coiling up a rope as walked to jim. "i got a rodeo contracter who will take them like that all day long i wouldnt want to draw that sucker in a rodeo contest. " jim explained. " me either, i did get 5 saddles on him. he bucked me off once but every time he got stronger and more wicked.when is your buyer comming out?" billy came out the gate and latched it behind himself. " the partner is bringing him out friday. when you pen friday morning keep them up he might buy some that way. cut back the ones you think will make us some ranch horses." jim was back to whittling his stick. from out of the barn walked a tall, leggy shapely brunette. billy whipped his hat off and looked to jim who simply kept whittling. " billy this is my partner, kate. she is my sons widow." jim never looked up but kept whittling. kate extended her hand and said " pleased to meet you billy, jim has told me a lot about you." billy slowley took her hand and gave it one sold shake. in doing so he noticed her hand was covered in calluses. " he didnt say you were a woman, no offense. i guess ime a bit shocked."billy stammered. " you look shocked. the last two men jim hired when they found out about me they quit. are you going to quit?"kate smiled a brilliant smile. " well you all got me over a barrel i cant afford to quit. i wont get a mile down the road ime so broke. besides jim savvys the deal. he leavs me alone and i work. fair enough huh?" billy gulped and look down at his boots. " ime the cattle pardner. you will very seldom see me. just keep doing what your doing. unless i need a extra cowboy you wont need to think about me."with that kate stepped around billy and walked off to the house. " donnie got killed a year ago. he wouldnt pay attention and stepped on one of those broncs without untracking him kate saw the whole thing. bronc broke his neck. its been a little tough around here ever since. shes ok billy but she has a wall around her."jim explained his voice above a whisper. " billy nodded. " it must be a thick wall, she is a attractive woman. ime headed back to camp. ill have the horses penned friday , thank you sir,"billy went to his chocklot brown and stepped up on him he waved to jim as he rode by. kate stood on the porch watching billy nodded at her as he rode by .