The Reaper's Harvest by Daniel Powell

Author:Daniel Powell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, horror, suspense, mystery, death, supernatural, dark fantasy, sacrifice, mythology
Publisher: Daniel Powell

EIGHTEEN

Will made it back to the ranch just as Clint was finishing up cleaning out Rufus’s stall. “Morning,” Clint said. The collar of his t-shirt was already ringed with sweat. It’d be another hot one. “How’d it go?”

“Status quo, I guess. Annie’s just fine. Baby’s picking up weight every day. That youngster—shoot, I can’t believe how fast things are going.”

Clint leaned against the shovel. “Six weeks, partner.” He smiled, pushed his hat up off his forehead. “Pappy Lowell. Shoot, things’ll be upside down out here.”

“Yeah. We should have a talk about that, actually.”

The men stared at each other.

“You riding in the fall circuit this year?”

Clint smiled. “Don’t beat around the bush, Will. Just say it. We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

Will smiled. “All right then. I’m going to need a hand. I’ll pay you well and put you up, if you’re willing to do the job. You can give up that crummy apartment in town and ride on the herd every day. I’ll turn the auction over to you. The lambing. I think Doc’ll let Annie come home soon. Maybe the change will do her some good. But I’m going to have to raise our little one, at least until Annie’s better.”

Clint pushed the tobacco around in his lip. He beamed. “Brother, I’m happy to take you up on that. You know the two of you are the only family I got left.”

Will swallowed hard. Clint had lost his mother when he was a young boy; his father had passed on while they were in high school. He walked across the barn and they exchanged a hearty handshake.

“These have been the hardest months of my life, Clint. But you—well, dang it, you’ve been a light in all of this. Thanks for your help, and for your friendship. For keeping this place together.”

“Shoot, Will’um. Wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for me.” He turned back to the stall, smiling to himself. “Like I said, you and Annie are family. ‘Sall there is to it. Now, I have a question for you. That neighbor of ours. You think I got a chance with her?”

Will’s breath caught in his chest. A surge of jealousy rose in him.

“Hey, you think she’s out of my league, just say so,” Clint said, a wry smile on his face. “Sheesh.”

“Aw, I’m sorry, Clint. My mind was somewhere else. Heck yeah, you got a shot with her. She’d be lucky to have you.” The words came freely, but his tone betrayed him.

“Thanks,” Clint said, that same suspicious smile on his face. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, brother. I might amble down there after supper. See if she wants to grab an evening stroll or something.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Will said. He turned to mask the sudden flush of his cheeks. “I’m going to get a shower. I’ll meet you out in the field. Where we at today?”

“I parked ‘em out in the northwest paddock. Dogs are keeping ‘em in check. I’ll likely move them out to the west for a spell and we’ll chew on that section for a week.

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