by Ali Spooner
Melissa and Stormy were sipping coffee on the front porch when she rode into the yard. “Good morning, ladies,” she said.
“You look well rested,” Melissa said.
“I should be. I slept like a rock, and fell asleep on your sister, yet again,” she answered. “How are you feeling, Stormy?”
“Still a bit sore, but nothing like before. I’m ready to get to work.”
“Stan plans to have you drive the truck today while the boys load and I’ll take over the rake.”
“I wish I could do more,” she said.
“Don’t worry there will be plenty of haying to be done before this summer is over,” she reassured her. “Plus we have horses to green break.”
Stormy’s eyes glittered with excitement.
“Can you swim?” Melissa asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good, we do things a little differently around here,” she said.
“How’s that, ma’am?”
“You’ll find out this weekend,” Melissa said mysteriously.
Coal chuckled and dismounted Shadow. She unsaddled him and draped the saddle and blanket over the porch railing and removed his bridle.
“Aren’t you going to put him in the corral?”
“It wouldn’t do any good,” Melissa said. “Shadow would just jump the fence and chase after her once they leave for the hayfields. I swear he follows her around like a puppy.”
“That’s my boy,” she said as she stroked down his back.
“You want some coffee?” Melissa asked.
“I’m good, thanks. I’ve had half a pot already.” Coal climbed the steps and sat on the porch swing. “Are the boys in gear yet?”
“They were finishing up breakfast when I left,” Stormy said. “We had biscuits and gravy left over from last night that Harley used. He cooked fresh eggs too.”
“I hope you made the gravy. There’s not one among that lot that can make good gravy.”
She smiled at her. “I did and the biscuits as well. Gene did really well with the cubed steak though. It appears you taught him well.”
The morning was getting warm quickly, and there was no sign of a breeze. “Looks like it’s going to be another hot one,” Coal said.
“Triple digits again today,” Melissa said. “Are you ready for egg salad sandwiches?”
“I can never get enough of them,” she said.
“I think I’ll do some baking too,” Melissa said.
“Do you need me to do anything before we head out?”
“No, Gene has already filled the coolers and I’ll bring more tea and lemonade when I bring lunch.”
The door to the bunkhouse swung open and the crew began to filter out. “I guess that’s our cue to get a move on,” she said to Stormy.
“Let’s load up and get to it, boys,” Stan said. “And girls,” he added as Coal and Stormy settled on the bed of the truck.
Coal shot him a grin then he slipped behind the wheel of the truck.
†
When they reached the fields, Stan dropped Coal and Harley off at their tractors. He and Roy would continue cutting the next fields while Tom, Lucas, and Gene loaded the bales. Coal pulled the rake in front of Harley. They started to work as Stormy pulled the truck up to the bales they had left the previous day and the boys started to load. Coal pulled her hat down over her eyes and smiled as she watched a hawk circle the fields. Our guardian angel, she thought.
She finished raking and watched as Stormy drove the first load back to the barn. Harley was a few hundred yards behind her so she drove over to the next field and began to rake the hay to prepare for his arrival. She could see Stan and Roy stirring up dust as they cut the field next to the one she had just entered. Coal broke out in a smile when she saw Shadow grazing the field they had just finished baling. She hadn’t seen him arrive at the field. He lifted his head to watch her drive toward the next field. A few minutes later, he trotted beside the tractor and when she lowered the rake, he dashed off to find a spot to graze.
She made several passes with the rake and then pulled the tractor beneath the shade trees to grab two bottles of water out of a cooler. Her throat was parched and she knew Harley was probably thirsty too. She drove up next to him and tossed him a bottle of water.
“Thanks, you must have been reading my mind,” he said as he twisted the cap. “I feel like I could drink a dozen of these.”
“I hear you. I feel like I’ve eaten a couple pounds of dust even through the bandana.”
He took a long drink of water and looked across the field. “We sure could use some rain, but I hope we can get this round of hay in beforehand.”
“Is there any chance for rain soon? I’ve given up watching the weather,” she said.
“Possibly on Sunday, but who knows. That could change ten times before the weekend.”
She became lost in her thoughts as memories of the heat and drought of the desert flooded back to her. She thought of Tessa and the guilt of her lover’s death rode her hard. She felt a lump of emotion lodge in her throat. She realized she needed to move to get her mind focused on something other than Tessa.
Harley saw the pain in her eyes and his heart went out to the young warrior. “Let’s get back to it and finish this field before the boss gets here with lunch.”
Coal nodded, pulled the bandana over her mouth, and started the tractor. She waited for Harley to pull in front of her then split off a row ahead of him to continue the raking. As she made the turn at the end of the row, her eyes landed on Shadow. Tonight they would go for a ride. Both of them needed a run in the wide-open fields to stretch their muscles. It would help to clear her mind, or so she hoped.
She lost herself in the mundane task of raking the hay and when she looked up again, she saw Melissa driving the gator across the fields. She got Harley’s attention, gestured eating to him, and raised her rake to drive back to the trees for lunch. Stormy and the boys had also entered the field they were working. Coal pointed toward the trees. Stormy turned to see Melissa approaching and sent her a thumb’s-up sign. She watched as Stormy stopped the truck and told the crew to load up so she could drive them to lunch. She waved Harley past and turned back to retrieve Stan and the others for lunch.
†
Melissa lowered the tailgate on the gator and started laying out lunch. A huge platter held egg salad sandwiches accompanied by several bags of chips and a large stack of fresh baked brownies.
Gene and the rest of the loaders had served themselves plates when she and Harley arrived. She cut off her tractor just as Gene let out a loud moan of pleasure.
“Tell me that’s a brownie you are groaning about,” Harley teased him.
“Oh my Lord, boss, these are the best brownies ever,” Gene said, taking another bite.
“You better hurry before he starts on seconds,” Melissa teased.
She walked in line behind Stormy. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. A little sore, but not bad.”
“I brought your pills if you need one,” Melissa said.
“No, thanks, I’m good,” she assured Melissa.
“How long are you planning to work today?” Melissa asked Stan.
“Hopefully until we get the field they are working on done.”
“I’ll put on a roast for you guys then,” she said.
“That’s great, boss,” Harley said. “Would it be too much to ask you to make a loaf of your homemade bread?”
Melissa chuckled. “I think that can be arranged, but it will probably take two for this crew.”
“Two would be great,” Harley said with a grin.
†
After lunch, the crew picked up the pace and it took two more loads to finish off the field. When Stan called it a night, they rode back to the barn and worked together to get the last load into the loft. Shadow had followed them back to the barn and was grazing in the yard when they finished. She let out a whistle and he came rushing to her.
&n
bsp; “He is just like a puppy,” Stormy said.
“A big one,” Coal said as she draped her arms around his neck. “Are you ready for a run, big boy?”
“I’ll be glad when I can get back in the saddle,” Stormy said.
“When can you ride?”
“Two more days,” she answered.
“Just in time for us to do some breaking, if you’re up to it.”
“I’ll do my best to be ready,” she answered with a grin.
“Let’s get you saddled,” Coal said and walked to the front porch to retrieve her tack. Minutes later, she left the crew behind.
†
They cantered across a field and as he warmed up, she pushed him faster and faster until her hair was flying behind her in the wind. She had no particular destination in mind and allowed Shadow to pick the direction he wanted to run. He galloped west toward the sinking sun. When he reached a small patch of bluffs, he slowed to a walk, breathing hard from the exertion, his muscles twitching with adrenaline.
“That felt good, didn’t it, big boy?” she asked as she patted his neck. He had worked into a lather of sweat in the heat, and when they reached the edge of a bluff, she dismounted and loosened the cinch on his saddle. Coal draped the reins over his neck and stood beside him as they watched the sky burst into a palette of brilliant color as the bright orb of the sun sank to the horizon as dusk approached.
With a deep sigh of contentment, she tightened the cinch and mounted Shadow for a slow ride home.
†
Mary Leah’s car was in the drive as they entered the yard. Coal tended to Shadow and walked to the house.
“Hey, baby,” Mary Leah said from the kitchen when she entered the house.
“Hey, doll, how was your day?”
“It was good, but better now that you’re here,” Mary Leah said as she spun around to kiss Coal. “Are you still up to grilling some chicken?”
“Yes, ma’am, just let me take a quick shower to wash this dust off me,” she answered.
“Go ahead then and I’ll start the grill.”
Coal disappeared into the bathroom and enjoyed a hot shower to wash the dust and grime from her body. She loved the haying season, but the heat and dust was thick enough to choke a mule she thought as the water turned from dark tan back to clear as she rinsed her body. The scar from the shrapnel was starting to fade. She brushed her raven-black hair and walked to the bedroom.
She dressed in faded jeans and a worn tee before entering the kitchen. “I feel almost human again,” she announced.
“Well, you certainly look and smell human,” Mary Leah teased. “The grill is ready and the chicken is too. If you get started grilling, I’ll finish up here and bring you a cold beer.”
“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day,” she said with a wink.
“I plan to up that ante later,” Mary Leah said with a grin as she handed her a pan filled with chicken and pushed her wildly grinning girlfriend to the door.
Mary Leah turned on the floodlights as Coal passed through the door into the slightly cooler Texas night. She placed the chicken on the grill and settled into a comfortable chair. Her eyes floated across the yard, following the flight of several fireflies as they danced through the air and in the distance she heard the howl and yips from several coyotes out on the hunt. She sent up a silent prayer that their hunt would be successful and they would not prey on any of the livestock. Melissa was willing to allow them on the property unless they became a nuisance and she hoped they wouldn’t have to hunt them down any time soon. Coal loved all animals and would hate to have to be a party to eliminating the coyotes, but if necessary she would do her job.
She was lost in her thoughts when Mary Leah arrived at the deck carrying two cold beers. “A penny for your thoughts?” she asked.
She smiled up at her lover and took the offered beer. “I was just enjoying the night.”
“I was listening to the radio on my way home and the weatherman said we had a teasing chance for some rain this weekend.”
“We sure could use it and a break from this heat,” she answered, and took a long drink. “Damn, this tastes good.”
Mary Leah’s head turned at the sound of the coyotes. “Are you worried they will become a nuisance?” She studied Coal’s face as she waited for an answer.
“So far they have only been after wild game, but if they turn toward the livestock we will be forced to put them down.”
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Amen,” Coal said as she stood and walked over to check the chicken. When she lifted the lid, the aroma of the cooking meat filled the air.
“That smells really good. Did you use your special sauce to marinate them?”
“Of course, the secret’s in the sauce,” she said, cracking a smile.
“I’ve got salads chilling and corn boiling, is there anything else you would like?”
“Do we still have some fresh Brussels sprouts?”
“Yes, we do.”
“Excellent,” she said and walked into the house. She located an aluminum pie plate and covered the bottom with olive oil and then cut the Brussels sprouts in half, dumping them into the oil. After coating them with the olive oil, she sprinkled brown sugar across the top and carried the pie plate out and placed it on the grill. “Tonight we are going to try something different,” she told Mary Leah.
“I love your experiments.”
†
The meal turned out fantastic, and after cleaning the kitchen together, Mary Leah announced she was going to take a shower. Coal undressed and climbed into the bed, listening to the sounds of the night as she waited for Mary Leah.
When she approached from the bathroom, Mary Leah asked, “Did you remember to take your medicine?”
“Not yet,” she said with a smile as Mary Leah climbed onto the bed.
†
Wednesday morning passed quickly. At lunchtime, the crew looked up to see a semi turn into the drive to deliver the stock for training. Stan rode back on the gator with Melissa to see the stock settled in the corral. The crew was excited to begin the training and they finished the haying for the day and rushed back to get a look at the stock. Stormy pulled the truck into position at the barn to lift the hay into the loft, and they all piled out of the truck to walk to the corral.
“What a handsome bunch we have here,” Coal said as they all climbed on the rails.
“I can hardly wait to get my hands on them,” Gene said.
“Well, they have to wait another day until we finish bringing in the hay, and I see a full truck that still needs emptying,” Stan said.
“Yes, sir,” Harley said as he stepped down from the railing. “You heard the man, boys, let’s get back to it.”
The crew followed Harley back to the truck and quickly stored the freshly baled hay. When they finished, Coal rode for home to shower and prepare for her appointment with Del.
†
Mary Leah returned home just as she had finished dressing. “You look nice and refreshed,” she said.
“Thanks, it was a good day,” Coal answered.
“Mine too. I couldn’t help thinking about last night,” Mary Leah said with a blush.
“We were way overdue for some loving.” She grinned. “I hope that made up for it.”
Mary Leah sighed. “Last night was more than fantastic.” Her gray eyes sparkled with excitement.
Coal reached forward to move a strand of Mary Leah’s light brown hair behind her ear. “More to come soon, I promise,” Coal said and they walked out to the car.
†
Del paced in her office after preparing for Coal’s appointment. She planned to push her young friend as far as she could tonight and was anxious for the appointment. Coal had held up well to her previous therapy with the Virtual Iraq program and Del planned tonight’s session to be the last for the week, giving her the weekend to process her thoughts.
She took a deep breath when she he
ard Coal arrive and went to open the front door. “Good evening,” she said as she and Mary Leah entered. “How are you feeling? Did you experience any side effects from the last session?”
“Other than being incredibly thirsty and exhausted, I was good.”
“That’s a good sign. No nausea or lightheadedness?”
“Nope, all good, Doc, no motion sickness either.”
“Okay then. Are you ready to get started?”
“Let’s go, Doc,” she said as Mary Leah settled into the waiting room.
†
Coal settled into the recliner and placed the helmet over her head, her heartbeat steady and breathing calm as she buckled it in place. She listened to Del’s voice as she started the program. She placed a sensor on her finger and placed the controller in her hands, then took a seat across from her.
When the music stopped the video began and she soon found her body walking down the streets of Afghanistan once more. Her heart rate increased slightly as she reached the point where they had ended the previous session. She hesitated then continued her forward progress, moving deeper into the video series.
Del relaxed when she felt Coal move beyond her previous progress and sat back on the couch. She observed her closely but remained quiet, allowing Coal to move forward at her own pace.
The familiar sound of the helicopters overhead filled Coal’s ears with the thumping rhythm and she tasted the hot dust of the desert in her nose and mouth. She reached for the bottle of water Del had placed next to the recliner and took a long drink. When she placed the bottle back on the table, the scene before her eyes had shifted. She was now in the mess hall, sharing a meal and laughing with Tessa and Mitch. She had her camera in her hand, snapping shots of them as they discussed plans for returning home in a few weeks. She knew one of those shots now rested in Melissa’s den and a smile came to her face. This was a happy time for Coal. She remembered every detail of Tessa’s face. She was beyond beautiful in her eyes. Her curls surrounded her cherubic face and the eyes that stared back into Coal burned into her heart. “I will love you forever,” she whispered. They were the last words Tessa had spoken to her before they went on their final mission.