Farmer's Daughter
Chapter 7
After getting 'Brian' settled into the ranchhand's quarters, which still smelled of lemon and pine from the thorough scrubbing, Lizzie went back into the house to prepare supper.
'Brian' took the time to wander about the place, checking out all the nooks, cabinets, drawers and doors. He was impressed at how they seemed to think of everything for the bathroom was stocked, as well as the linen closet. Turning at hearing the front door slowly open, 'Brian' broke into a wide smile at seeing Billy, Jr. enter, his arms laden with various things.
"Here, Mister." he began, dumping his quarry on the small dining table, "in case ya get bored."
"Thanks, Billy." he said, extending his hand, which Billy took. "Everyone's calling me Brian, so please stop saying 'Mister'. It makes me feel old." he added with a grin.
"Sure thing, Brian."
"So, what good stuff did you bring me?" he asked, pulling out a chair, inviting Billy to do the same.
"Well, there's cards, some comic books, checkers, army men, and race cars."
"Wow. That's a lot of stuff. But, with some of the things, I'll need someone to play with."
"Oh, that's okay. I'll come play with you. If you want, that is." Billy replied, suddenly embarrassed.
"I think I'd like that very much. Do you wanna play now?"
"Sure!" he squealed, elated at finally having a boy to play with. He pulled out the army men, setting them up in companies, going through the rules of "war" with 'Brian'.
They played for well over an hour, until a high-pitched scream had them bolting out the door.
"Donna Jo!" Billy screamed, seeing his sister on the ground inside the cattle pen. "You've gotta do something! She'll get trampled!"
"Go get your father, Billy. I'll see what I can do."
Billy took off full speed for the house, screaming for his father. Lizzie ran out onto the back porch at hearing the commotion. "Billy! What's wrong?!"
"Mama! It's Donna Jo. She fell in the cattle pen! Where's Pa?!"
"Oh my Lord! He's out in the fields! Amanda Grace!"
"Yeah, Momma. What is it?"
"Take Jet and go get your father. Donna Jo fell in the cattle pen!"
Amanda Grace bolted for the barn, mounting her steed and barreling out to get her father, as her mother and brother ran over to the cattle pen. They could hear the nervous calls of the cattle, both knowing what that would mean for Donna Jo.
What they found had them both stopping dead in their tracks, staring in bewilderment and awe: 'Brian' slowly making his way through the cattle, petting and soothing them as he went, scooping up a crying Donna Jo into his arms, cradling her against his chest.
"Billy, run in and get the 1st aid kit!" Lizzie commanded, seeing the small amount of blood on Donna Jo's face. The moment 'Brian' cradled her, her cries subsided to sniffles, and Lizzie could hear him cooing to her, singing softly as he rubbed her arm gently, slowly making his way out of the cattle pen.
"Who do you love?/who do you love?/girl I know that you are torn between what was and what could be/but I wanna know gotta know wanna know gotta know/who do you love?"
He gingerly climbed over the fencing, carrying a now sleeping Donna Jo, her thumb instinctively thrust in her mouth, over to her mother, who gave her a cursory check for broken limbs, before motioning for 'Brian' to carry her in the house.
They turned at the sound of galloping hooves, both riders stopping short at the sight. Bill, Sr. ran over to them and tore Donna Jo from 'Brian's' arms, taking her into the house. 'Brian' would have no recollection of this as all he saw was the blue-eyed, white-blonde angel staring intently ... back at him.
His feet moved him towards her, powerless to stop them; and, he found his hand reaching up to assist her down. She gently placed her hand in his, sliding down off Jet, 'Brian's' other hand reaching up to her waist to ease her down gently.
She could feel that tingle in her belly again and her skin was aflame where he rested his hand. Shaking her head to quickly gather her wits, she smiled lightly at him before taking both horses' reins, leading them back into the barn for a rub-down, leaving 'Brian' standing stock still, his heart violently pounding in his chest.
Gathering his own wits about him, yet not knowing quite what to do, he made his way back to the ranchhand's quarters to wait, absentmindedly flipping through the comic books, reading nothing. He soon tired of that and went to his bed to get some rest. Lying on the bed and closing his eyes, the only thoughts on his mind were those beautiful blue eyes and all he could feel was the hunger in his loins. His fingers tingled where he'd touched her.
"Oh, this isn't good." he groaned, tossing and turning, wincing at the jarring against his ribs. Frustrated, he rose and stomped to the shower, quickly divesting himself of his clothes, waiting until he was inside the shower to turn the cold water on full blast against his now-raging erection.
8