~ 2 ~

Memories

It had been summertime then, too. The weather had been stormy for several days just as it is now and it had been the first day it had been clear. The sun had been shining and the air had been crisp and clear and lush, not a cloud to be found. Everyone had been cooped up inside for the storm’s duration and, on that glorious day, one could see all the neighbors emerging from their cabins and haciendas smiling and greeting one another as they rejoiced in the beauty of the sapphire blue sky. They had enthusiastically inhaled the light dry air as though they had not really breathed for days and days.

Ben and Carlos, after days of hard riding in the damp dark rain, had been equally gleeful and happy to acknowledge the cloudless sky with repeated nods and smiles as they had rounded the herd. Even the animals had seemed to be enjoying running and turning back and forth as the men had thwarted their every try at escape.

Those had been the best days.

Carlos spotted a stray and took off like the wind to catch it, cavorting and jesting like a child on his first round up. Ben shook his head and laughed at his playful friend. He understood the need to blow off some steam. He decided to play a little too and dropped his loop.

Just as he was winding it in so he could join in the fun, suddenly and without warning he saw Carlos jerk back on his reins forcing his horse to a dead stop. Ben notched his brow and watched as Carlos stood in his saddle, extended his neck forward and squinted placing his hand across the brim of his hat to further shield his eyes from the blinding sun. His jubilant demeanor immediately vanished and his face contorted from a look of pleasure to one of rage. He exclaimed something in Spanish, lowered himself, sat forward on his mount, kicking her hard, and commanded, “Get-up!”

Though Ben was, at first, startled by this display of aggression, even though he was not able to see what had provoked Carlos, he needed no more than this to know that something was very wrong. Without question, Ben instinctively followed his friend as fast as Buck would carry him.

By the time he came up over the hill and could see what it was that had caused Carlos to take off urging his horse to a full gallop like that, he was racing in himself.

And he was glad.



To be continued...