Reba stood silently while Bruce reassured her he was okay. He told her about Grady losing some of the land play poker. How one thing lead to another right up to an all out brawl. Bruce had taken Grady home and dumped him in his bed and had left. He didn’t like what had happened but it was the only way to stop his father from losing all the land. He would need to check on Grady in the morning, but right now his face hurt to bad to think beyond the pain. Bruce laid back on the couch, placed the ice pack on his eye again. Reba rubbed his arm, opening one eye he saw her outreached hand. Taking the pain pills she offered, he was soon able to sleep.

      The sky was crystal clear the next morning. Not a cloud could be seen, but the weather forcast had said rain by evening. Although Bruce’s face still throbbed, he had work to do. The cattle had to moved from the lower pastures to higher ground. When it rained they would have gully washers. Cattle could drown and Bruce knew they couldn’t afford to lose cattle right now. For some reason head count was coming up short as it was. Seems that every week when out on the ranch more of the cattle was gone. Him and his ranch hands had covered alot of ground looking for them, but had no luck locating the missing cows. Bruce shuck his head, then wished he hadn’t. The movement made his face throb more. Oh well, lifes a bitch, but what can you do?

     Reba had cleaned the house, had dinner ready and was in the barn mulching stalls. She had fed the horses. Her mind was on Bruce, she hoped that he had talked with his father today. Never liking controversy between people, she hoped they would work things out. Okay thats enough of that she thought, I need to get the clothes of the line before the rain gets here. Making her way across the yard, she felt the first drop of rain. Reba started running. The clothes, my goodness, I’ve got to get the clothes before they are soaked.