Tracie Peterson by A Place to Belong

Author:A Place to Belong
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The next day, Maggie was riding with Bill when they paused at the opening of the valley her father ranched. Maggie stared in awe. Piñon Canyon, as the ranch was called, stretched for miles. The burnt orange adobe ranch house contrasted sharply with the sturdy green piñon pines, which grew in abundance in the valley. Other, smaller buildings dotted the landscape, and several huge corrals stood in direct angles from the house. Beyond the inner circle of the ranch threaded a wide, silvery stream.

“I can hardly believe it,” Maggie said in wonder. “I never would’ve guessed something so heavenly could be hidden in the middle of the desolation we’ve been riding through. It’s beautiful!”

“That it is, Miss Maggie. I’ve called it home for nearly twelve years now, and it’s always a welcome sight,” Bill said enthusiastically.

“Twelve years? But my father has only been in the territory for eight years.”

“That’s so, but I worked this ranch for the former owner. Course it weren’t nothing like what your pa has made of it. It was just a little stomping ground then. I was one of only three hands. Your father keeps over fifty.” Bill urged the horses forward with a flick of the reins.

“Fifty? Why does my father need so many people?” Maggie questioned, suddenly wanting to know everything.

“There’s enough work for fifty people, so he hired fifty,” Bill said in his joking manner. “See, there’s a lot more to a ranch than meets the eye. Somebody’s got to keep up with the herd’s feeding, watering, herding, branding, medicating, and such. Then there’s those who keep up the land and the property. Those fences didn’t just put themselves up, and they don’t stay up without help. Not to mention the house help.”

“I get the picture, Bill,” Maggie laughed. Then, more seriously, she asked, “What’s my father like?”

“I think pretty highly of your pa. He’s an honest man, pays a fair wage, and sees to it that no one goes without. He even keeps a mission on the property. It’s over that ridge, ’bout twelve miles. He supports the minister and his wife who keep it up for the Pueblos.”

“Oh yes, the Indians,” Maggie tried to sound intelligent.

“That’s right. Your pa looks after everybody.”

“But why? Why does he care so much?” Maggie wondered aloud.

“I ’spect it has to do with what your pa is always saying. God was good to him, so he’ll just pass it on and be good to others.” Bill fell silent, and Maggie didn’t ask anything else.

The day passed quickly, and after several stops to rest and water the horses, the travelers were in the valley, making their way down the well-worn path which led to Piñon Canyon.

As they approached the first corral, several brown-skinned cowboys came riding up on horseback. They rode alongside Garrett talking in Spanish and laughing. Some fell back to greet the others and cast glances at Maggie. While she couldn’t understand what they said, their smiles and excitement led her to believe she’d passed inspection.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.