Page 25 of My Cowboy Freedom
Chapter 7
Sky
Sleeping isn’t my deal. When I was real little something always seemed more exciting. Whether it was watching television, or talking to my mom and dad, or owls in the trees outside, I always felt like I was missing out on something when I let myself drift off.
Despite the work I’d done, that first night at the Rocking C was no exception. I worked out to keep myself from going crazy: Sit ups. Push-ups. Shadow boxing. Running in place. I pushed my body until I was drenched in sweat and my muscles screamed with exhaustion.
So then I was tired, but no nearer to sleep.
Goddamnit.
I couldn’t leave the bunkhouse because the Rocking C was unfamiliar territory. The moon was barely a silver sliver against the sky’s black, starlit backdrop. If I went for a walk, I’d probably fall into a trench or run into a predator or get my ass shot off by someone who figured me for a prowler.
But it was hard to resist the impulse to open and close the door, just to see if I could. At about three a.m., I did. I went out onto the porch with a bottle of water. There were chairs there, and I sat on one to listen to the night sounds.
With my eyes closed and the warm summer breeze drying the sweat from my body, I let that wall of noise fall over me. The whisper of wind in the trees. The sounds of livestock in close quarters. Every sort of nocturnal animal. Insects scudding, buzzing, crawling, flying. The electronic hum of the bug zapper and the sad littlegzzzztwhen another luckless critter bit the dust.
“You think the country is going to be so quiet,” a voice spoke from the shadows. “But it’s not, is it?”
“No, sir.” I stood to greet the newcomer, Tad. “It is most definitely not quiet.”
“Having trouble sleeping?”
“Yeah. Hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Nah.” There was just enough light to make out Tad’s wavy hair and sharp features. He was a good-looking man. He reminded me of a fox when he smiled—he had slightly bushy eyebrows and a slick sort of grin. “I had to pee. Figured I’d come out for a smoke since I was up.”
I nodded. “I’m not settled in yet, I guess.”
He glanced my way. “It isn’t so quiet in prison either, is it?”
“Not hardly. There’s always some asshole screaming or cat-calling. Out here’s a different kind of noise. I guess it’s going to take some time to get used to it.”
“You mind?” he held up his lighter. I shook my head; it was okay with me. He lit up and took a long drag. As he settled into the chair next to mine he blew a thin stream of smoke into the darkness.
“Wait until the coyotes start calling each other. That’s some weird shit, right there.”
“I’ll bet. You like working here?” Captive audience and all, I figured I’d ask.
“I like it fine.” Tad took a long drag and blew it out thoughtfully. “You will too. You’ll see.”
We just sat in silence while he finished his cigarette, and then he went back inside. I’m not sure how long I stayed out there after that, breathing in the scent of earth and horse and tobacco.
However long I finally slept, it was not enough.
Bang. Bang.Bang.
“Whoa.” I jerked out of bed, still half asleep. Another couple of thuds fell on the door. I opened it to find Sterling Chandler himself outside, energized like he’d been up for an hour already despite coming in late the night before.
“Ain’t you up yet?” He was exactly the way I remembered him, but older. Gray had started making subtle patterns in his hair. For a moment we locked eyes and I was tense, but he hauled off and gave me a manly hug, complete with a couple bone-crushing pats on my back. His eyes sparked with humor. It was still pitch-black outside from what I could see. Not a soul had stirred yet.
He pushed me back, gripping my shoulders, to look me over. “What are you lolling around for? You’re on cowboy time now.”
“Ah, Jesus. Gimme a minute.” I closed the door and scurried around, dragging on clothes before anotherbangon the door made me jump.
I opened the door again. “Tick-tock, new guy. Let’s get a move on.”
“Okay, boss. Let me um... just—” I ducked into the bathroom to pee, wash up, and and brush my teeth. When I got back he gave my shoulder a squeeze.
