So I Tamed a Texan

by Kimberly Lowe

  So I Tamed a Texan

  by Kimberly Lowe

  Published by Piotr Obminski (Triarius)

  All Rights Reserved 2013

  Hi, my name is Mary Roper. I live on a ranch in west Texas. I loved the ranch, I can't remember a time when I wasn't climbing on hay bales, teasing the livestock or sitting on the porch watching the sunset. Daddy bought it shortly after my mother died; I was two at the time. He said he and mother always talked about running a ranch and he wanted to honor her wishes. He worked hard day and night and in time, he became one of the wealthiest ranchers in the state. Daddy raised me the best he could but always felt like he couldn't give me the upbringing that would make my mother proud. All he knew was cattle and horses. When I was about sixteen, he told me he was sending me to boarding school. I was shocked, I thought he was trying to get rid of me. But he kept telling me that it would teach me how to become a proper lady.

  I didn't want to go, I kicked and screamed and threw the biggest tantrum I could but he wouldn't budge. Not only did I not want to leave my home, I also didn't want to leave Randy Hilton. Randy was one of my dad's top ranch hands and we were in love. From the moment I saw him ride on a horse, I was hooked. Randy had looks that would make any woman swoon. He was tall, blond hair and the deepest green eyes I had ever seen. He always treated me like a lady. We spent as much time as possible together. We had moonlight walks and picnics. He took me to the movies and out dancing. I was the happiest girl in the world when I was with him.

  It was the saddest day of my life when I left. I cried the whole way to school. Living on the East coast was an adjustment but I adapted quickly and excelled in school. However, I could never get Texas, or Randy, out of my heart. Finally, the day came when I graduated and could finally go home. I was so excited the whole train ride that I could barely sit still. When we finally pulled into the station, I looked anxiously out the window to see who was there to meet me. I looked and looked and finally saw Sam the second foreman. Sam was old and tanned from the years of working in the sun. His hair was grey all over, and his legs had bowed slightly from riding horses so long. He was wearing his usual denim jeans and plaid shirt. Sam had been working with my father since he started the ranch. He was like a second father to me and I loved him so. I hurried to get out to greet him. I ran into his arms and gave him a big long hug. "Oh, it's good to smell Texas air again, Sam. But where's Daddy? And Randy? Why didn't they come to meet me?"

  "Sure good fer my old eyes, Miss Mary. You'll see your dad and young Randy soon, but just now they are out hunting rustlers" Sam said in his husky, gravely voice.

  I was surprised and it showed. "Rustlers?! In this day and age? You wouldn't kid a girl would you Sam?"

  "No'm! Your dad's been losing cattle all right, but the funny thing, he don't lose many and they always take 'em from the same side of the range. Might peculiar"

  We continued chatting and catching up while I gathered my luggage and we made our way to the car. We took the scenic route home so I could see the town and how much it had changed. As I took in the sights, I was surprised how small the town looked. Guess I was used to the big city that my school was in. The museums, the cafes, the culture. Sam talked about everything that had been going on in the town and on the ranch. He filled me on how the ranch was doing and how the rustler problem was hurting the ranch. Suddenly, I realized we were almost home. And then I saw a horseman riding toward us and I had no more time for Sam's words. My heart began to beat faster and faster, it was Randy! I leaned out the window of the car and screamed. "Randy! Darling! It's me Mary!"

  Randy steered the horse toward us and came up along side of the car. My breath caught in my throat. He was amazing. He had filled out a lot since the last time I saw him. The lanky arms and legs had been sculpted into muscle. His skin was a little darker from the sun and he was growing the slightest of a beard. He had the same sandy blond hair, and deep green eyes. He bent down and said, "Can't get away from me sweetheart. I aim to abduct you right here and now. C'mon honey, see what it feels like to be on a hay burner again." With that, he picked me up out of the car and leaned me over the saddle of the horse.

  "Randy, put me down!" I said half-heartedly. This was the moment I had been dreaming about since I left the ranch. Soon, he let me sit up properly in the saddle and we rode for awhile. I noticed he was taking me to our special spot. It was the most beautiful little crook in the mountains. It was perfect to see both the sunset and sunrise. We hiked up to the spot and settled in. I turned around and saw Randy looking deeply into my eyes. I felt my knees go weak. "Randy, I... I dreamed about this moment all the time I was away at school. I thought it would never come." I realized that I felt so nervous around him.

  Randy shuffled his feet and stammered "You're just the same Mary. Maybe a bit older and purtier, but you ain't said yet how soon we can get hitched. I'm as anxious as an old cow bawling over her calf." He reached out and gathered me into his arms. He held me tightly and caressed my back. I leaned in and held him just as tight. I could smell the ranch on his clothes. That odd mix of livestock, dirt and sweat. But all of a sudden, I noticed something else. Something, I would not have noticed before. Randy was dirty and untidy and I found his speech grated my ears. His wonderful drawl that I had always thought was so charming, actually made me cringe!

  "What's wrong?" I thought, "All of a sudden, he seems so rough and uncouth. But he's the same Randy I always loved."

  He must have sensed the change in me because he pulled away from me and looked at me worried. "What's the matter Mary? Something I done or said?"

  "No Randy, of course not. It's just that Sam was telling me about Rustlers. What's that all about?"

  I was trying to change the subject. I just hoped he wouldn't catch on to what I was doing. "Mustn’t let him know how I feel. Maybe it will pass" I thought. The question didn't seem to surprise him at all. "We got a little rustling on our hands all right. Sort of funny though, they only take a few cattle each time when they could talk a lot if they wanted. And always in the north range when you'd think they'd take 'em from the south range and run 'em into Mexico easy like!"

  That did puzzle me a lot, but I thought I would think it over when I got back home. We sat and watched the sunset on the rock and then got up to head home. We were silent as we rode to the range. He seemed to sense that something else was wrong. Finally, we came over the ridge and he whispered in my ear "Yonder she is Mary, your home. Reckon your dad will be home by now and wanting to see you."

  "Yes Randy, I hope so" I said.

  As we got closer to the house, I jumped off the horse and sped up the house. It looked just as I remembered it. The big front porch with the white rocking chairs. The blue shutters on each window. I raced into the door and saw my father. His hair was more grey than the last time I saw him. He was still strong and built but I could see the years catching up with him. I ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

  "Dad. Oh, Daddy! It's so good to see you again. I missed you so much"

  "My little girl, home again. Welcome back to the circle bar, Mary" Dad said in his deep, husky voice. We had dinner and caught up on everything. I realized shortly after dinner that I was exhausted. It had been such a long day and I was ready to relax and think about my problems. I took my stuff up to my old room. I got ready for bed and laid in bed for the longest time. I finally drifted off to sleep.

  I avoided Randy for a few days while I sought to work out my terrible problem. I finally realized that Randy hadn't changed; I had. I finally got the courage to tell my father of my decision. We were sitting in the den after dinner one night when I finally broke the news. He, of course, was shocked. "Do you know what you are saying Mary? Break your engagement! And all this balderdash a
bout Randy not being a gentleman. He always acted like one around me, and you too."

  "You don't understand dad. Maybe Randy was all right when I was younger, but I've met other men that know how to dress and how to talk to a woman."

  "I understand one thing young lady! You came back here with a lot of high falutin notions. Talking about people wearing dirty clothes and not shaving. What do you expect? We work around here! And Randy is a fine man and a gentleman. Don't you forget it. He's a man and manners don't make the man."

  That had not gone how I had hoped. I went out to the porch and sat for the longest time thinking about my decision. Later, I got my bay mare Coral out of the barn and rode out onto the mesa. I always used to go there and watch the moon when I had troubles. It was my best thinking spot. I sat alone, bathed in moonlight, and came to a decision. "I'll have to go" I thought, "No other way. I'll just tell Randy and dad goodbye and leave in a couple of days."

  Suddenly, I heard leather scraping the rocks in the shadows behind me.

  "Who's there," I called out, "Come out, I hear you"

  Randy stepped out of the shadows into the moonlight.

  "Randy! You followed me!"

  "Yes Mary, I reckon I did. It appears to me that you and me have some talking to do."

  I made a move to run away, I did not want to talk to him about this right now. He caught me and turned me around. He held my face in his hands and stared at me in the eyes.

  "I talked to your dad Mary. He told me how you felt. But I got to hear it from your own mouth. Please Mary, tell me that it ain't true... that you was just mad and talking."

  "Oh Randy" I said pleadingly, "Don't, please... it's no use. I'm sorry but I've changed. It's all my fault!" Randy took me in his arms and pressed his lips hard to mine. For a brief moment, I resisted but his kiss just felt so good. I melted into his arms and kissed him passionately back. He pulled away and said "Mary, the first time I've kissed you since you came back to the ranch" He bent down to kiss me some more and then we stood there hugging each other tightly. "Perhaps dad was right," I thought, "I have been acting like a snobbish little fool! Randy doesn't use the King's English, but he's a man!"

  All of a sudden, Randy stepped away and wiped his lips on his bandanna. He had a disgusted look on his face as he said "Wish you wouldn't smear that lip goo on so thick Mary! Ugh! Tastes like burnt cactus roots. I don't like a girl to use too much of that stuff"

  I was taken aback. This was such a quick turnaround from a few minutes ago. I was angry as I said "What? You don't like lipstick Randy Hilton? And I use too much do I?"

  I was on a roll now, "You did that on purpose! Dad told you what I said and it hurt your Hilton pride so you came out here and tried to make love to me, just to get even. Ohh... I hate you!"

  Without thinking I reached up and slapped him hard across the face. I turned around and started down the mesa. I didn't want to see him at all anymore. I heard him behind me say "You're plumb right Mary. I thought I'd show you how silly it is to criticize the way other people act or talk. But now you got another lesson coming"

  "Randy, what are you going to do?" I was worried. Randy had never spoken to me like that before. I turned and saw him heading straight towards me "Get away from me!" I said.

  He picked me up from behind and carried me over to the nearest rock. He sat down and bent me over his knee and started spanking me like a little child. I was hurt and angry "Stop it! I'll kill you for this. I hate you! Hate you!" He just kept on and said "Hate to do this gal, but you sure got it coming! And when I get through you can go your own way. I don't care if I never lay eyes on you again." He set me straight up and walked away without another word. I sat there on the rock for the longest time thinking "How dare he! Oh, the brute, the uncouth, ignorant cowpunching brute! And to think I let him kiss me! I'll get even somehow!"

  The next morning, I woke up and got ready for the day. I came downstairs to the kitchen to find it empty except for our housekeeper Hilda. She was busy over the stove making breakfast. I sat down at the table and asked "Hilda, where's dad? I have to see him right away"

  "You better hurry then," she said, "He heard there was more rustlers on the north range and he and Mr. Randy are getting ready to take after them."

  I left my breakfast where it was sitting and ran out the door. I saw them up on their horses about to leave.

  "They are leaving now!" I thought in a panic, "I've got to see dad; tell him I won't be here when he comes back, that I'm returning to the East." I ran out in front of them hoping to seize the bridle of dad's mount.

  "Dad. Wait! I must talk to you!"

  "Mary! Out of the way, you'll get hurt. Have you gone loco daughter?" he said as he swerved his horse to avoid hitting me with his horse. His horse stumbled and fell. Dad was knocked off and fell a few feet away from the horse.

  I screamed, "Dad! Help him someone! He'll be killed!" I ran to him and held him in my arms. He wasn't awake. "Dad! Oh Dad! It was my fault. Oh please, don't let him be dead!" I prayed. Soon the other ranch hands gathered around him and Randy bent down and examined him. I looked at Randy, hoping he would say dad looked okay. Randy answered my question before I had to a chance to ask "Can't tell much yet. Looks like a broken leg and maybe a concussion. One sure thing, he'll have to go to the hospital in town."

  Another hand said "I'll go call the hospital now Randy."

  "Oh Daddy," I moaned, "Can you ever forgive me?" I was sobbing but I didn't care. I couldn't lose my father.

  Dad recovered consciousness just then and the men helped him up and into the car to go to town. He spoke to me as they were walking. "Don't blame yourself daughter. It was just one of those things. You're in charge now, and Randy is foreman. Promise me you'll get along with him. No fights! At least 'til I get back."

  "I p-promise dad. Don't worry, everything will be all right here"

  I watched them as they drove off. I spent the rest of the day in a daze. I was worried about dad and worried how I could manage the ranch while he was gone. It was a long night, but I finally got to sleep.

  The next day, Randy met me as I was leaving the ranch house after breakfast. He was wearing his pistol and carrying a rifle. I looked at him quizzically. "I thought you should know Miss Roper. I'm taking some men and heading north after those rustlers again. Would have gone yesterday but for what happened to your father." Randy said.

  "You didn't ask my permission Randy. I don't like you riding off like this. Might need you around here" I said with my arms crossed and a mean look on my face. "So I'm Miss Roper now, am I?" I thought.

  "Just the same, I'm going. My job is to take care of your father's cattle and I am to do it. If you don't like it you can fire me Miss Roper" Randy said indignantly.

  "All right!" I screamed, "Go on, stay away as long as you want Randy Hilton" I ran away before he could see the tears welling up in my eyes. I ran up to my room, slammed the door and stayed there for the rest of the afternoon. A few hours later, I received a telegram by phone. "Arriving on 3:15 to accept your invitation. Looking forward to seeing you. Signed, Ronnie Featherstone" A mechanical voice spoke to me.

  "Thank you" I said without thinking. "Oh gosh, Ronnie is coming out here!"

  Ronnie was a man I had met back east while I was in school. We met one night while we were sitting in the same coffee house listening to bad poetry. Our eyes met, I rolled my eyes mockingly. He bought me a coffee and we spent hours talking that night. We went out on a few dates and I found that we had a lot in common. I told him about my upbringing on the ranch and he seemed very interested. Almost as interested as I was hearing about his upbringing in the city. Before I left school, I had invited him to come to the ranch any time he wanted.

  I looked at the clock beside my bed and realized it was two o'clock. I needed to get going if I was going to make it to the train station by 3:15. I grabbed the car keys and started driving toward town. The drive was long so I had plenty of time to think about why he chose that time to decide to c
ome. It hadn't been that long since I had saw him last. "It was a surprise" I thought, "but I'll be happy to see Ronnie. He's nice, a perfect gentleman. One of the nicest men I met in the East. It'll be fun." I made it to the train station early. I got out of the car and walked around for a bit. When the train pulled in, there was Ronnie. Handsome, and as well groomed as I had remembered him. I ran up to him and gave him a friendly hug. Ronnie was the exact opposite of Randy. He was a little shorter, his hair was black and perfectly groomed. His mustache was as well groomed as his hair. He smelled of soap and cologne and was dressed in a three piece suit.

  "Ronnie! Welcome to Circle Bar, you..you tenderfoot" I smiled and teased.

  "Hello, you lovely creature. And did you say bar? Lead me to it. This is arid country" He said in his most elegant voice.

  I showed him to the car and drove to the only cocktail lounge in town; aptly, called "the lounge". We were seated at a very nice table by a window where we could look out while we talked and I could tell him a few interesting facts about the town.

  "Didn't think I meant it when I promised to visit you, did you? Well, here I am for a nice, long vacation; far from the maddening crowd" Ronnie said as soon as we sat down.

  There was a slight twinkle in his eye, like he knew he had really surprised me; and he had.

  "No, Ronnie! I didn't think you would come, but I'm glad you did" I said with a laugh.

  Ronnie could always make me laugh. It was one of the things I liked about him. He was so easy going and fun to be around. Not to mention, he was so handsome! We sat and talked for a few more hours. He was catching me up on the city life back East. I found that I was missing some of that life. It was always so fun. I filled him in on how things worked in Texas and how things were going at the ranch. Finally, I realized that we better get back home and we got up and left.

  All the way back to the ranch, I couldn't help noticing the contrast between Ronnie and Randy. Ronnie was suave and cultured, a perfect example of poise and good breeding. Randy, well, I still thought Randy was an uncouth and dirty. Ronnie, broke my musings by saying "Lovely country Mary, but I'm mixed up. which way is the Mexican border?" I wasn't sure if he was serious or just joking. I chose to believe the latter. He had never been to this part of the country after all.