Come Hell or High Water

by Nancy M Bell

  A jack rabbit darted across the gravel road, his coat a mixture of winter white and brindled summer brown. “Stupid critter,” she remarked as the animal bolted back out of the ditch in front of the truck. Instead of continuing across the road it ran straight down the centre. She slowed down and waited until the jack finally veered off and disappeared into the moonlit shadows.

  “Must be my night for critters,” Michelle remarked. A small herd of mule deer bounded across the lane when she rounded the end of the coulee by the ranch gate. The lights were on in the kitchen so Cale must be home already. She parked beside the clinic truck, killed the engine and stepped down from the cab. The yard light illuminated the pens by the barn where the cattle with young calves mooed at her. She started across the gravel to check on them.

  “They’re all done for the night, Michelle,” Cale called from the porch.

  She halted and made her way to the house, taking the steps two at time. Cale waited for her in the doorway, a grin on his handsome face and a tea towel slung across one shoulder.

  “Busy in the kitchen, my little house husband?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he quipped. “How was your busy day at the office?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and drew her into the house.

  “Busy,” she responded and turned her face up for his kiss.

  “I like the sound of that husband, not the house part of course, but husband sounds pretty good to me. Get down, dog.” Cale flapped the tea towel at Crazy Puppy who leaped about like a wild thing to greet them when they entered the kitchen.

  “Down, mutt.” Michelle slipped out from under Cale’s arm and grabbed the dog’s collar until he settled down. “Good girl, Storm.” She greeted the black dog lying on her bed by the stove.

  “Have you been home long? What do you want for supper?” Michelle mentally catalogued what left overs were in the fridge.

  “Long enough. Dinner’s ready and waiting.”

  “Thanks, that’s great.”

  “Sit down, I’ll get the hamburger helper.”

  “Ohhh, gourmet!” Michelle teased him.

  “Be careful, woman. The chef is very temperamental.” Cale waved a serving spoon at her.

  “Yes, sir. Warning noted.”

  Silence fell over the room while they applied themselves to eating. Only the occasional thump of Storm’s tail on the floor broke the peace. Michelle pushed her empty plate back and got up. “Coffee?” She raised an eyebrow at her tablemate.

  “Please.”

  She crossed the room to the counter, filled two mugs and brought the coffee back to the table. Setting them down, she scooped up the dirty plates and deposited them in the sink. Back at the table she sank into her chair and rested her elbows on the placemat.

  “Tired?” Cale ran a hand over her hair.

  “Beat.”

  “How did the horses go today? That Spud horse ready to go win some cash?”

  “They both ran well. I’m thinking of taking Rain down to Crowsnest if there’s some exhibition runs available. Spud’s full of beans, he turned some really nice barrels tonight.”

  “When are you planning to leave?”

  “Haven’t decided yet. The first go isn’t until the evening on the Friday. I can’t decide if I should haul down early Friday or go Thursday afternoon and let them settle in a bit over night.”

  “I guess it’ll depend on whether you take the mare or not. It wouldn’t hurt to let her get used to the place beforehand.” Cale rubbed a hand across his face.

  “What?” Michelle frowned at him. “What’s that look for?” she persisted when he remained silent.

  “Nothing, just tired.”

  “Are you worried about Rob being there?” she guessed.

  “In a roundabout way. I’m worried about you and what he might try. Have you talked to Kayla? Is she going down?”

  “I think so. She doesn’t have a show that weekend and I don’t think she’s about to let him off his leash just yet.”

  “Well that makes me feel a bit better.”

  “I can handle Rob,” Michelle protested.

  Cale snorted. “Like you handled him the day he broke in here?”

  She had the grace to blush. “Okay, I give you that. But he took me by surprise, I won’t make that mistake twice, believe me.”

  “Just try to stay out of his way, okay?”

  “That’s my plan. Are you going to be able to make it for Friday night? I could use the help, especially if I have both horses running.”

  “I’d like to, but it depends on the clinic and if Carrie can get here by then.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d gotten ahold of her. When’s she supposed to be coming?”

  “Actually, I didn’t manage to reach her, but Stacey kept trying until she got her. Carrie said she’d be here this weekend but she wasn’t sure if it would be Saturday or Sunday yet.”

  “Stacey’s really a big help at the clinic, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah,” Cale’s tone was wary. “It frees Mary up to ride herd on Doc and keep him from overdoing it.”

  “Don’t look like that, for heaven’s sake.” Michelle laughed. “I’m not going to attack the woman. She seems to really like working there. I imagine she gets pretty lonely when George is gone, she’s not used to not having people around all the time. It helps you, and it helps Mary and Doc. If she wasn’t there, I’d have to try and fit it in.”

  “She really a good person, Chelly. You’ll like her if you just give her a chance.”

  “I’m working on it. As long as she keeps those pretty little paws off you I’m good.” A thought suddenly struck her. “Did you get the eggs when you came home?”

  “Damn, no. I did the stock for you and forgot about the chickens.”

  “You finish your coffee. I’ll take the dogs out for a pee and do the chicken girls at the same time.” She got up and Storm and her offspring scrambled to their feet. “C’mon, mutts. Let’s go for a pee.” Grabbing her coat from the back of the chair where she’d left it earlier, Michelle let the dogs out of the kitchen into the mudroom. They milled there while she shoved her feet into boots and pulled on gloves. Crazy Puppy made a flying leap out the door and down the steps when she held it open for him. Storm followed at a more sedate pace. “Stick around you two. No chasing coyotes.” Storm woofed from the shadows by the shed.

  The cherry red glow of the heat lamp in the chicken house welcomed her. There was something comforting about the sight on a cold windy night. She ducked through the low doorway and collected the basket from the hook by the door. The hens were settled for the night, some in the straw filled nesting boxes, some huddled in groups on the perches situated around the shed. Without disturbing them, Michelle slipped a hand under the drowsy birds and extracted the warm eggs. After emptying the nests she checked on the floor in corners and the other places she knew certain hens liked to lay their eggs. Her basket full, she inspected the levels of feed and water. Both would do for the night, she made a mental note to clean and refill the waterer in the morning.

  “Night, chicken girls.” The hens clucked sleepily and settled down again. Michelle slipped out the door and secured it from the outside. Last thing she needed was for the coyotes or fox to get in. “Here, dogs!” She scanned the yard for the two animals. Nearby in the coulee the coyotes yodelled to each other. Damn, if those stupid mutts are down there chasing coyotes… “Storm! Puppy!” Crossing the yard with long strides, she set the eggs on the porch step. Turning back, she called the dogs again. When there was no reply, she set off toward the corrals muttering curses and turning her collar up against the north wind. “Storm!” An answering woof came from behind the barn. The dogs came bounding out of the shadows looking very pleased with themselves. Well, actually, Crazy Puppy bounded, Storm came at a more sedate pace.

  Michelle’s nose wrinkled as they came closer. “Oh, for the love of Pete! You managed to scare up a skunk, you idiots. I should lock you in a stall in the barn for the night.” Sh
e stalked across the yard to the house, the dogs on her heels. “Cale,” she called when she let them into the mud room. “Can you bring the vinegar, the damn dogs got into it with a skunk.”

  He poked his head in from the kitchen. “Ack, God. Smells like a direct hit. Do you want help?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll take care of it in the shower out here. Can you drag the dog bed out here for me, though? These two are sleeping out here tonight.”

  “Here.” Cale put the big jug of vinegar down by the door and shut it as quickly as could.

  Taking the puppy by the collar she dragged him into the small heated bathroom off the mudroom. Slamming the door shut on him, she went to retrieve the vinegar. Storm blinked at her with big solemn eyes. “You, dog, should know better than to mess with a skunk. What were you thinking?” Storm squeezed into the bathroom with her and sat down leaning against the closed door while Michelle wrestled the younger dog into the shower stall. Dowsing him thoroughly with the white vinegar she tried not to breathe through her nose. Her eyes ran from the mixture of fumes. Crazy Puppy set up a howl of protest which did nothing to improve her mood.

  “Will you shut up?” She glared at the dog. He stopped momentarily, and then started up in full voice once more. Ignoring the commotion as best she could, Michelle rinsed him clean and then dowsed him in vinegar again. Finally, declaring him as stink free as he was going to get, she dried him and took him out to the mudroom and put him in a kennel. “Wait here til I’m finished with your momma.” Cale had brought out the dog bed she asked for and a micro furnace heater which she turned on and pointed at the door of the kennel. “There, that should keep you from getting icicles in your fur until I’m done.”

  Returning to the tiny bathroom she repeated the process with Storm who thankfully was much more cooperative than her offspring. In short order Michelle dried her off and told her to stay. She used three large towels to clean up the excess water and tidy the room. There was nothing she could do about the stench that permeated the small space. Like skunk with French fries on the side. She giggled. Wasting no time, she dragged the thick bed into the room where it took up the available floor space. Storm flopped down on it, her head resting on her paws and an apologetic expression in her dark eyes. Michelle ruffled the fur on her head and went to collect the puppy from his kennel prison where he was protesting his incarceration at the top of his lungs.

  “You almost done?” Cale stood in the kitchen doorway. “Sounds like you’re killing him.” He chuckled.

  “Almost finished, and right about now I’d be more than happy to kill him.”

  “I made a fresh pot of coffee.” He disappeared back into the other room.

  “C’mon, mutt.” She gripped the puppy’s collar and herded him in with his mother. “You can both stay there until morning. Then we’ll see how much you still reek.” Michelle closed the door with a decisive snap.

  “You stink,” Cale greeted her when she stepped into the kitchen.

  “Going to shower.” She didn’t hesitate but carried on down the hall. “Is there anymore vinegar?”

  Cale followed her into the downstairs bathroom. “Just this.” He held up a small jug of apple cider vinegar.

  “Great.” She sniffed and took the bottle from his outstretched hand.

  He retreated as fast as he could. Shaking her head, she stripped and bundled the clothes into a spare plastic bag from the storage cupboard under the sink. Standing under the spray of hot water she scrubbed until it felt like her skin was raw. She took a deep breath and upended the jug of vinegar over her head. Gagging on the sharp aroma, she tossed the empty jug out of the stall and scrubbed at her hair while trying not to inhale. Sticking her head out the shower curtain she took a desperate breath. The cloying smell of skunk stuck in her throat but it was easier to breathe than the mixed scents of skunk and cider vinegar inside the steamy stall. When she was as clean and odour free as possible she turned off the water and dried off. Wrapping a towel around her dripping hair and a large bath sheet around her body, she gathered up the bag of her clothes and returned to the kitchen.

  “You certainly smell better.” Cale handed her a mug of coffee. “Here, give me those.” He took the bag of clothes and disappeared into the laundry room. He came back with a big house coat. “Put this on and give those towels. They might as well go in the same wash.”

  “You just want to get me naked,” she teased dropping the bath sheet to the floor.

  Cale stepped closer and wrapped the robe around her. “You’ll catch your death of cold, woman.” He kissed her nose. “Interesting perfume you have on. Eau de Fish and Chips with an under note of Pepe le Pew.”

  “Ha ha, very funny.” She took the coffee and sat down in the big arm chair by the stove, tucking her feet up under her.

  “Be right back.” He waved the wet towel at her and unwrapped the one from her hair on the way by. “I’ll bring you back a comb for that rat’s nest.”

  “Gee thanks, you’re all heart.” Michelle took a huge gulp of coffee and leaned her head on the back of the chair. “Damn, I forgot the stupid eggs on the porch.” Untangling herself from the folds of the robe she padded across the floor in her bare feet and slipped out to retrieve the basket of eggs from its perch on the edge of the porch step.

  Cale had returned to the kitchen by the time she came back. “Forgot the eggs on the porch.” She held the basket up before setting it on the counter by the sink. “I sure don’t feel like washing them right now.”

  “Stick them in the egg fridge and leave them til morning. It’s not gonna hurt anything.”

  “I guess…” Michelle opened the door of the small fridge kept especially for the eggs and made room for the basket. Shutting the door she retrieved her mug of coffee from the floor by the arm chair and curled up in it again. She ran a hand through her tangled hair and then gave up trying to tame it.

  “Let me.” Cale stood behind her and gently brushed out the snarls.

  Her eyes kept closing and her head nodding under his ministrations. He reached down and caught the half full mug when it slipped from her hand. “It’s bed time, I think.” Setting the brush on the wide back of the chair, he came around to the front and lifted her into his arms.

  Michelle snuggled into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Mmmm, I could get used to this,” she murmured. Cale carried her down the hall and tucked her into the big bed in the front bedroom.

  “Be right back, just gonna go turn out the lights.”

  Michelle didn’t hear him come back.

  Chapter Nine

  With a sigh of relief Michelle pulled into the Coleman Sports Plex. The sun was sinking behind the mountains turning the low lying clouds into a glorious vista of magenta and salmon edged with gold. The eerie sight of the Frank slide which she’d just driven through still sent shivers down her spine. The road snaking through the huge stones looming on either side never failed to give her the willies. She refused to look up at Turtle Mountain which reared its head on the south side of the highway. The thought of all those tons of rock and shale breaking loose and sliding down into the valley burying the small mining town and its inhabitants was just plain terrifying. Even though it happened in 1903 Michelle was always sure she could hear the thunder of the slide and the silent screams of those who lay buried there.

  Shaking off the morbid thoughts, she jumped out of the cab and headed to the entry office to pick up her number and get the stabling assignment. In the end she’d decided to only bring Spud. Cale wasn’t going to be able to come down for sure and Pat wasn’t going to be around to help either. One horse made things so much less complicated.

  The brightly lit office made her blink after the gathering darkness outside. Everything was in order and she was back out the door in a matter of minutes. She checked on Spud through the window at his head before getting back in the truck. “Just a few more minutes, bud. Then it’s dinner and a nice soft bed for you,” she promised him.

  The roll
up door was open at the back of the building and she parked beside the other trailers pulled up to unload. Leaving the horse in the trailer, she went inside to scope out where her assigned stalls were. They should be side by side, one for the horse and a tack stall. There was a cot and blankets in the storage area of the trailer but she’d booked a room at the hotel in town. It was only minutes away and she could be at the barn quickly if need be. Locating the stalls by the paper with her name on it pinned to the front, she was pleased it was at the end of an aisle and near a man door. It would be relatively quiet for Spud without a lot of competitor traffic going by at all hours. The man door offered her a quick way in and out of the building as well. She poked her head out the door. There was plenty of room to pull the truck and trailer up to the door which would make it so much easier to get all the gear inside. This was when she really wished she had a travelling buddy to help with the slugging.

  She located the area where the shavings were stored and commandeered the wheel barrow upturned on the pile. In short order she had the stall ready with a deep bed of sweet smelling shavings. The tack stall only needed a quick sweeping before Michelle went to fetch Spud. He whickered when she opened the rear gate and stepped up into the trailer. “Hey buddy, you ready to get off this thing?” She unclipped the trailer tie, slipped the lead shank off his shoulders, unlatched the divider and secured it to the side of the trailer. Spud followed her willingly, hopping down beside her being careful not to bump her. “Good man.” She patted his shoulder. Going around to the storage compartment, she unlocked it and pulled out the water bucket and a feed bin. “Don’t worry, I’ll come back for the feed.” Spud snatched a mouthful of hay from the hay bale by the door before she could stop him. “Give it a rest, you’re not that hungry.” Michelle smacked him lightly on the shoulder.

  It took her the better part of an hour to get him settled, pull the rig around the side of the building by the door at the end of her aisle and drag everything inside. The only things she left in the tack compartment were her saddle, pads, and bridles. She wasn’t taking any chances of someone breaking into the locked tack room in the barn and making off with her tack. The trailer was far more secure. It was hard to see in the shadows thrown by the overhead lights in the parking lot. It took longer than usual to unhitch the fifth wheel and get it locked down. She pulled the truck forward and parked it just ahead of the trailer.