Natalie Bright - Follow a wild heart: wild cow ranch 3

Present Day

Rafter O Ranch, Texas Panhandle

S hifting in his saddle, Nathan Olsen looked out over the early spring rangehis fathers ranch and three grandpas before himfrom the top of a hill. Red Angus spread out nibbling at bits of new growth which cast a tinge of light green onto the scene. The unbroken horizon burned bright orange and gold with streaks of purple-gray clouds.

Winter had not disappeared yet; the penetrating chill seeping under his wild rag was proof. Pulling up the Carhartt collar and tugging down on his ballcap, he loosened his grip on the reins. Nathan flexed his achy, cold fingers and yanked lined deerskin gloves from his pocket. He breathed in the scene, wanting to commit it all to memory. If he were a painter, he could preserve the scene forever.

Some people might be bothered by the silence, but to Nathans ears the prairie was loud and restless. Meadowlarks answered each others call, and the wind kept the dead weeds swaying in constant motion.

As he surveyed the scene his chest filled with pride. It always surprised him, this emotion he felt for a patch of dirt. Generations of Olsens had honored this treeless place, devoting their sweat and tears, and the land had blessed them in return.

A hawk soared across the sky, his wings outstretched to catch the updraft. At the top of the ridge Nathan watched a group of mule deer as they cautiously eased into a chinaberry grove, seeking their hideout for the day after grazing all night. He saw the beauty in the land, but the scene did not feed his soul.

Aggravation hung over his head like the patches of fog that clung to the lows with a gray shroud. Darn cold this early, but his dad had insisted they be in the saddle just after first light. In Nathans mind, they had plenty of time, all day in fact, to cruise through the heifers. But it seemed his father insisted on creating a list of chores before going to bed to make sure his oldest son stayed occupied. In fact, it was March; birthing season would start any day now. He or his sister Angie had already been making a pass through this group of first-time little mommas several times during the day and night.

Nathan was closing fast on thirty, old enough to know what needed to be done without his father laying out a chores list. There was never a discussion, never a chance for him to give any input. The idea that he might have made other plans for the day never came into question.

About the time he thought to dig out his phone to snap a picture, one of his sisters rode up alongside and halted her horse next to his. Whatre you doin? Dadll be on your tail soon. Better not let him catch you bein idle.

Despite the early hour, Angie appeared alert and fresh-faced with cheeks pink from the cold, long blonde hair in a neat braid reaching to her waist. Bright purple shirt, red wild rag, red gloves, red vest, black canvas jacket. As usual his sister was riding his favorite blue roan mare, looking like the perfect models for a Western photo shoot.

He always thought Angie was the better ranch hand. In his mind, he didnt even add, for a girl. He been doing ranch work his whole life, but she was just better at everythingriding, roping, gathering, branding, and also had a head for business. Of course, hed never tell her that. She had a natural instinct about cows and loved every minute of it. His brother, Travis, had a knack with horses. His other two sisters were gifted with talents in the ranch kitchen or branding pen. Their dad had taught all of them well about how to manage and sustain the family business.

Nathan, on the other hand, was an observer. They were his family and he loved them, but at times he felt like an outsider, hovering on the edge of every conversationalways there, but not really an integral part of the entire operation. He wondered if any of the bunch had actually admired the view from their horse or watched a sunrise. Not just an occasional glance out a window, but really studied the colors and patterns in the clouds.

Are you listening?

Her voice grated on his nerves. It annoyed him that his sister felt a need to interrupt the silence.

Im just being still for a minute, thats all. Appreciating nature. Gods the best painter, ya know.

Oh, thats a good one, Angie laughed. Not the part about God, but I dont think Dadll like you bein still. Cmon, lets go. We only have a few heifers that seem to be in trouble. One is ready but I can see a nose instead of feet. If we can get her into the chute, maybe I can turn the little bugger around before hes born.

He rarely shared his inner thoughts or argued because what was the use? There was always work to be done. Nathan turned his horse to follow Angie towards a group of cattle where his father sat patiently. With a smirk and giggle she called out over her shoulder. Do you have a date with Carli?

She might come by later. Im taking her to lunch.

Well, better get your work done then.

Nathan clenched his jaw and reined his horse to follow. Life was much easier if he did what Angie said, as well as his father, his mother, even the rest of his younger siblings. Even though he was the oldest it seemed everyone else was in charge but him. Lets get Nathan to do it, seemed to be their solution to everything. Today was no different than any other day, but he seemed to be more agitated than usual. He shook the troubled thoughts from his mind. No use in wishing for what would never be. A moment of peace to enjoy the coming day was not on the schedule.

Prodding her horse gently with a spur, his sister took off ahead of him. Always full of energy and ready and able to lead, Angie could surely take over the ranch one day. Nathan felt certain of that. He thought about this a lot. As the oldest of five kids, it was expected that hed be the next generation of cowmen to oversee the Rafter O into the future. If they all assumed hed take over, maybe it was time he did. Truthfully, he was best at avoiding confrontation, particularly with his father.