Iron Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

do,” she said. “Gas prices are so high that it’s hard to afford enough fuel to run tractors and trucks, and now they’ll have to hope the hay crop is good or they’ll have to sell off cattle before winter rather than having to feed them stored corn.” She sighed. “I expect even the Ballengers will be feeling a pinch, with their feedlot.”
    â€œIt must be tough, having your livelihood depend on the weather,” she remarked.
    â€œYes, it is. I grew up on a little truck farm north of here,” Dee told her. “One year, we had a drought so bad that everything we grew died. Dad had to borrow on the next year’s profits to buy seed and fertilizer.” She shook her head. “Finally he couldn’t deal with the uncertainty anymore. He got a job fixing engines at one of the car dealerships.”
    â€œIt’s so bad, you know—floods in the Midwest and drought here and in the Southeast. Too much water or not enough. They need to build aqueducts like the Romans did and share that water with places that need it.”
    â€œNot a bad idea, but who’d pay for it?”
    Sara laughed. “I don’t guess anybody could. But it was a nice thought.”
    Dee checked her watch. “You’d better get a move on, before we get swamped with customers and you’re late leaving.”
    â€œI’ll do that. Thanks, Dee.”
    The older woman smiled. “Good luck with those drawings.”

    Lisa Parks had blond hair and a sweet smile. She was carrying Gil, her eighteen-month-old toddler, when she came to the door to let Sara in. The baby had brownish colored hair and his eyes were green, like his father’s. He was wearing a two-piece sailor suit.
    â€œDoesn’t he look cute!” Sara enthused over the little boy, while Lisa beamed.
    â€œOur pride and joy,” Lisa murmured, kissing the child on his soft nose. “Come in.”
    Sara stepped into the cool confines of the house. It had been a bachelor house for years, but Lisa’s feminine touches made it into a home.
    â€œWant coffee before you start?” Lisa asked, shifting Gil on her hip while he chanted happy noises.
    â€œAfter, if you don’t mind,” came the smiling reply. “I always try to avoid work if it’s at all possible.”
    â€œDon’t we all? I’ve got the puppies out in the barn.” She led the way down the back steps, pausing at the sound of a horse approaching. Gil was still making happy baby sounds, cradled on his mother’s hip.
    Harley Fowler was just riding into the yard. He spotted Sara with Lisa and smiled hugely. “Hi, Sara.”
    â€œHello, Harley. How’s the Spanish coming along?”
    He glanced at Lisa, who grinned at him. He shrugged. “Well, I guess I’m learning some. But Juan is a better teacher than any book.”
    â€œHow’s your jaw?” Sara asked with twinkling eyes.
    He fingered it. “Much better.” He smiled back.
    â€œUh oh, Mama,” Gil said, frowning. “Uh oh.” He squirmed.
    â€œUh oh means somebody needs a diaper change,” Lisa laughed. She glanced at Harley and, sensing something, concealed a smile. “Harley, if you’ve got a minute, would you mind showing Sara the pups while I change Gil? We’re working on potty training, but it’s early days yet,” she added on a laugh.
    Harley beamed. “I’d be happy to!” He climbed down gracefully out of the saddle and held the reins, waiting for Sara. “Are you going to adopt one of the puppies?”
    She blinked. “Well, I hadn’t thought about that. I have a cat, you know, and he really doesn’t like dogs much. I think one tried to eat him when he was younger. He’s got scars everywhere and even dogs barking on television upsets him.”
    He frowned. “But you came to see the puppies…?”
    She showed him her drawing pad. “I came to