Gather My Horses

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Book: Gather My Horses Read Online Free PDF
Author: John D. Nesbitt
of meat and sliced off a thin strip lengthwise.
    â€œMakin’ jerky?”
    â€œThat’s right. It’s antelope meat. Papa says they’re good this time of the year, when the grass comes green.” She glanced up from her work. “So, you live over this way, do you?”
    â€œI have a camp is all. I’m a packer, so I’m on the trail a good part of the time, when the weather allows.”
    Her dark eyes looked at him again. “I think we’ve met. Or seen each other. I’m Isabel, you know.”
    He took off his hat, but she didn’t seem to notice the courtesy, so he dragged his cuff across his forehead. “And I’m Tom, as I already mentioned.”
    â€œSure.” She pulled the knife through the haunch and cut off a long, thin piece. “I think Bill Selby mentioned you just yesterday when he came by.”
    Fielding shifted on his stool. “It was a little thing that happened, but everyone seems to have heard of it.”
    â€œI think Bill came over here to tell Papa just as soon as he could. He made you out to seem like the rescuer.”
    â€œLike I say, it wasn’t much.”
    She paused in her work and let her eyes meet his. “Do you think those other men mean trouble? Bill seemed shaken by it.”
    Fielding rotated his hat in his hands. “I don’t know what all they said before or after I was there. I just saw them pushin’ him around, and I didn’t think it was fair. If there’s something bigger behind it, I’m yet to know.”
    â€œBut you stuck your neck out. That’s what Bill said. I know he appreciated it.”
    â€œI’m glad he did. I don’t think the other side did, though.”
    â€œBut you stood up for him, see? That’s good.”
    He felt relaxed with her, and his words came easy. “Oh, I don’t know. I think I’m just innocent enough to believe that there are still things like right and wrong and that decency can come out on top. It’s just that it’s hard to do without causing some kind of friction.”
    She cut another long slice, then flipped it to the side with her knife. “You’ve got to do what you think is right. You’ve got to be your own man.” She looked across at him and smiled.
    â€œWell, you’re right, of course. What I want is tobe left alone, free to live the way I want, but like I say, I tend to make it rough on myself.”
    â€œMaybe you do, a little bit. But I’d rather do that and be able to be myself, not have a lot of people hanging all over me.” Her voice changed tone as she said, “Don’t worry about her.”
    â€œHuh?”
    Isabel pointed with her knife, and Fielding turned to see a young brown goat, about a yearling, with bulging yellow eyes.
    â€œShe likes tobacco.”
    â€œWell, I don’t have any.”
    The young nanny looked at Fielding’s shirt, then at the two horses.
    â€œGo away, Missy,” said Isabel. “No treats today.”
    The goat stood still.
    Isabel spoke again as she returned to her work. “So, do you always travel with two horses?”
    â€œUm, no.”
    â€œI don’t mean to be inquisitive. Just something to talk about.” She looked up, and her dun complexion had a blush. “Really, I talk too much. But just at first. Hardly anyone ever comes here, and if they do, it’s like Bill Selby. They come to talk to Papa.”
    â€œAnd give tobacco to the goat?”
    Isabel laughed.
    Fielding realized the girl might be a little nervous or giddy about having a visitor like him, but he felt an easy familiarity with her. He said, “Anyway, to answer your question, the reason I look like Ranger Two Ponies is that I picked up this one horse where my helper left it in town.”
    â€œOh, I see. And you’re taking it back to your place.” Her voice was calmer now.
    â€œUnless something comes up.”
    She looked at him
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