Howler by AJ Storm

Author:AJ Storm [Storm, AJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

12

Mac came back to the ranch two days later, bringing fifteen extra bodies in his and the two dually trucks that followed, pulling a horse trailer with six thoroughbreds. The fifteen were dressed in cowboy clothing but were outfitted with rifles and handguns. There were enough boxes of ammo to fill what space was left in the back end of his truck. Howler, Sadie, and Ben met them in front of the main house. After introductions were started, Mac immediately picked up on the fact Sadie was quiet.

“Here are fifteen of Jackson brothers’ finest ramrods available. You all know Howler, but this beautiful lady is the owner and operator of the ranch, Sadie, and her right-hand man, Ben who also happens to be full-blood Choctaw. You answer to Howler, then Ben or Sadie. Speaking of Sadie, what did the two of you do to my fun-loving, sarcastic lady?” Mac demanded.

Howler’s eyes shot to his boots, toeing the gravel, and Ben simply gave Mac his smiling face for an answer.

“All right then, where do you want these guys, boss men and lady? They need to stow their stuff, then unload the horses and tack.”

Ben looked to Howler who was still uncomfortable about the comment Mac made about Sadie, then spoke up.

“Put them in the new bunkhouse where the original five ranch hands stay. There are eleven empty beds in there, and some will be out guarding while others are sleeping. We can bring in extra cots if necessary. Howler, you and Mac can move into the big house with Sadie and me. We’ll be taking different shifts ourselves, and that way, she’ll be protected in the house around the clock. That sound okay to you guys?” Ben asked.

“It’s perfect,” Mac beamed.

“It’s fine, old man. I’ll go load and move my stuff, then Mac and I can help the guys unload the horses into the empty stalls in the older stable with Lucky and Whiskey,” Howler suggested.

An hour later, everything had been stowed away, and Ben, along with Mac took ten of the new guys to show them the main areas of the ranch where things were located and the kinds of chores to be done. Their main task would be to guard the ranch, Sadie, and the horses, so the chores had to be such they could scrutinize their surroundings while still doing mundane jobs. They had to appear as if they were regular ranch hands who had been hired.

It was decided Howler and Sadie would take the last five on horseback to inspect the fencing around the primary pastures where the Paints were kept, along with several breeding thoroughbreds. Howler decided it, but he did a strange thing—he asked Sadie if she was okay with his decision. He figured it needed to be more a cooperative venture rather than a dictatorship. He was thankful she agreed with him.

The entire morning and a small part of the afternoon were spent showing the new guys the pastures and horses. The five new recruits were enamored with the Paints.

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