I thought I'd post a little something different his month. I belong to Texas Mountain Trail Writers that meet monthly in the Alpine, Texas area. Each year in the spring they host a retreat, and if possible I  go. One of the activities is to write a short story to be shared around the campfire. The stories, along with monthly contributions from writing prompts are compiled and published in the yearly Chaos West of the Pecos.

Here is one of my contributions.

The Old Cowboy

Under Texas Skies

            Rex yawned, then stood and shook out his legs to ease the kinks from his aging hips. Sleeping on the ground left his old bones sore each morning. His cowboyin’ days were about over. Retirement would be welcome.

            Heck, he’d miss working on the range—the quiet at night but for the lowing of cattle, cowboys chewing the fat while drinking coffee and playin’ cards, and starring up at a million stars under the inky black Texas sky. Of course the days were filled with hours of running after steers eatin’ dust, and cutting animals out for shots, worming, or castration. Rex had been doing it for years and his body now protested.

            More than once he’d been kicked while herding cattle. Joe, the owner of the Circle C had taken him straight away to get patched up. Joe insisted Rex sleep in the house so he and the missus could check on him during the night. Joe wouldn’t let him go back to the bunk house until Rex stopped weaving when he walked. His boss was that kind of man. He took care of his crew.

            Cookie had the fire built. The smell of coffee and bacon filled the crisp, fall air and tickled his nostrils. His mouth watered. That Cookie was one fine trail cook. Rex wandered to the bushes to take care of his morning business.

He returned to find the men in line for victuals. Cookie heaped their plates with bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy and they crowded around the fire to eat. Some stood, a few squatted, and others sat on the ground. Rex sat down near where Joe usually sat and waited. Joe usually brought him a plate. Today was no different.

While they ate, Joe talked to him. “Rex, I hate to say this, but it’s time for you to retire. I’ll sure miss you. You’ve been a good hand.”

Just a minute before, Rex had been ready, but now he wasn’t so sure. He looked over at Joe hoping he’d change his mind.

“Now, don’t turn those soulful eyes on me. No doubt about it, you’re getting slow. I don’t want to see you get hurt badly.”

Well, darn, neither did he.

“Sam is ready to take your place.”

Hell yes, he was. Sam was his son, wasn’t he? His offspring were smart and Rex had trained the boy himself.

“Anyway, you can stay around the barn and entertain the ladies doc brings out for breeding. He thinks you produce quality whelps.”

Rex sat up straighter. Not a bad job for an old retired cowhand.

Joe laughed and slapped his knee. The other men chuckled.

Joe scratched Rex’s ears. “I knew you were a smart dog. You’re a credit to your Australian dingo and English sheepdog ancestors.”

Thank you for stopping by. I'd be pleased for you to leave a comment.
Happy Reading and Writing!
Linda

The Journey Home—Love and the Texas Ranger—A Short Story

This is a short story I wrote for a Texas Mountain Trail Writer's Retreat. It was included in the clubs Chaos  Book that is put out yearly after the retreat. Recently a group of authors at Champagne Books put together an Anthology with stories from 16 authors. This story was included.

Shared Whispers is a collection of short stories created by an eclectic group of sixteen award-winning writers from across the globe who create novels in such diverse genres as romance, suspense, mystery, thrillers, paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction. What’s the common theme to the anthology you’re about to read? Each story reflects the allure and importance of amore in our lives.

Why the title, Shared Whispers? Every writer has a unique voice in which they reflect the fictional Story Behind the Story, the seed from which the idea evolved. You’ll also find a brief bio of their writing career and other titles that might be of interest.
world carried in their mind’s eye. It can be the flow of their words or the rhythm or pulse to their scenes. The elegance of some voices pull you into the story, envelop you with their characters and offer momentary release from the drudgery and the complexity of modern life. In essence, these stories reveal the thoughts, the murmurs, the whispers shared with the Muse, our individual guide that holds our hand from the first to the last word. At the end of each creation, each author offers the

Life is hard and dangerous on the Texas plain for a couple separated by time, distance, and duty. Love brings them together—forever.

Romance and the Texas Ranger

The Journey Home

Texas Ranger Caleb Johnson slumped atop his horse, swaying to the pace of his sorrel mare. His head bobbed with the gait as he struggled to stay in the saddle and catch a few winks of sleep. It was a ritual he and Red were accustomed to. He’d ridden many miles while asleep and his horse hadn’t tossed him once. Some weeks it was the only sleep he got. Now wasn’t a good time not to be aware of his surroundings. He was alone, wounded, and weak. The pain from his shoulder injury screamed with each movement.

The captain ordered him to stay in camp until he could send him home with an escort. But, Caleb wouldn’t have it. Hell, he was shot, not dead. He’d stolen away in the middle of the night. All he wanted was to get home to Amy. It’d been five years since he’d seen her. Maybe he no longer had a wife. Rangers weren’t good marriage material and she’d not wanted him to join up. They’d had a terrible row. Her blue eyes flashed fire as she screamed, “I won’t be here when you decide to come home.”

Contrite over her scalding words, Amy wrote him faithfully at least once a month. It’d been a year now since he’d heard from her. Every time he thought he’d get home, his division was dispatched to another area and he couldn’t go. He shuddered. Was the tremor from his wound or fear? Something was wrong at home. He could feel it in his bones.

He struggled to stay awake, but fatigue, blood loss, and now with a raging fever, illness won out. His chin hit his chest and darkness clouded his consciousness. Dreams whirled through his mind—Amy on their wedding day, her shiny brown hair piled high on her head, ringlets curling around her face. Eyes spitting fire the day he left, her face red, almost as dark as the freckles that covered her pert nose. Oh, she was a corker. He loved her spit and vinegar.

            Red kicked up her heels, sending him forward, jolting him awake. Like a drunk woken by the nudge of a boot, blurry eyed, he glanced around and noticed three Indian braves on the mesa top to the west, a half a mile away.

            He wrapped the reins around the saddle horn, pulled his Winchester from its scabbard, and propped the butt on his thigh. He’d show them he was armed. Hell, he was so weak he couldn’t shoot a rabbit.  Hopefully they hadn’t seen him swaying in the saddle like a drunk. His knees tightened around Red. She sprinted forward but didn’t break into a full gallop. Don’t let them think you’re afraid and running. They’ll be on you like ants.

            War whoops echoed behind him. He raised the rifle with one arm, propping the butt at the juncture of his shoulder, turned and shot wild. A bullet slammed into his chest. He hit the packed earth. Red broke her stride and returned to him, nudging him with her nose and whinnying for him to get up.

            Shouts of victory surrounded him. Red’s reins were grabbed by a young brave. She fought against the restriction but the Indian coaxed her forward, gently stroked her muzzle and whispered in her ear. Soon, she quieted and stopped struggling though she snorted and stamped her hooves in agitation at the smell of blood.

            Vision fuzzy, Caleb spotted his valued star adorning the shirt of an older brave. Several men poked him with their rifles. He didn’t feel pain, only a roaring in his ears, and a calming sense of peace. The war party rode away in a flurry of triumphant shouts.

Bright light enclosed him. A form stepped out and knelt at his side. Pink lips, accompanied by a pert freckled nose and blue eyes, smiled. She leaned down and kissed him sweetly on the mouth. Her lilac scent filled his nostrils and joy filled his heart.

            “It’s time, Caleb. Time for you to come home.” Amy helped him rise and took his hand. “Come, my love.” Together they walked into the light.

                                                                        The End

If you'd like to purchase a copy of Shared Whispers, click on the link. It is also available at Amazon.com/

Thank you for stopping by today!
Linda