Jim Craig (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snowy_river_man) wrote2007-02-25 07:36 pm
snowy_river_man) wrote2007-02-25 07:36 pm
Entry tags:
A challenge
The cattle station is quiet with everyone gone. Not as quiet as the mountains can be, but close.
Jim has grown used to the chorus of chickens and hogs, the occasional dog barking, unbroken by the sounds of hooves and gruff laughter. He has stopped looking over his shoulder and expectantly watching the horizon. Up in the hayloft, he makes as much noise as possible, choosing to delight in the solitude rather than continue sulking. Bale after bale of hay is tossed below, and Jim grins to himself, wiping the faint sheen of sweat above his lip with the back of a work glove.
It's a beautiful day. Not even the lone man left behind can find fault with it.
He climbs down the rickety ladder, jumping the last few feet to the dirt aisle between stalls. The colt gets his hay first, like the magnificent king he is. Jim finds it hard not to spoil such an animal, and smiles with pleasure as he enters the stall and offers the largest bale of the bunch.
"There," he croons softly, a fond look in his eyes. The colt takes a large bite and snorts, as if receiving his due.
Jim has grown used to the chorus of chickens and hogs, the occasional dog barking, unbroken by the sounds of hooves and gruff laughter. He has stopped looking over his shoulder and expectantly watching the horizon. Up in the hayloft, he makes as much noise as possible, choosing to delight in the solitude rather than continue sulking. Bale after bale of hay is tossed below, and Jim grins to himself, wiping the faint sheen of sweat above his lip with the back of a work glove.
It's a beautiful day. Not even the lone man left behind can find fault with it.
He climbs down the rickety ladder, jumping the last few feet to the dirt aisle between stalls. The colt gets his hay first, like the magnificent king he is. Jim finds it hard not to spoil such an animal, and smiles with pleasure as he enters the stall and offers the largest bale of the bunch.
"There," he croons softly, a fond look in his eyes. The colt takes a large bite and snorts, as if receiving his due.
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Jessica rolls her eyes at Jim's concern.
"He'll be away for quite some time yet," she informs him, nonchalantly shrugging one shoulder. "If the job's done before he gets back, what can he say?"
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He'll make sure no one on this cattle station belittles the mountains or the men who live there. And maybe, in the process, he'll earn the right to return.
Jim remains silent while the colt finishes his hay and dunks his head in his water bucket. Wiping his hands on his trouser leg, Jim turns to Jessica.
"I pity the man foolish enough to underestimate you, Jessica Harrison," he says, bemused but too firmly entrenched in the idea to back out now
It's both an answer and a backhanded compliment.
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"I suspect that I will soon be saying the same about you, Jim Craig."
Eyes narrowing guilefully, she tents her fingers again and rests her chin on them. Now it's up to Jim. She has faith in him. She can almost see her father's reaction already, stunned and choking in disbelief. And to rub salt in the wound, she fully intends to play truant when she is able, so she can observe Jim in action and help where necessary.
The whole experience should be very gratifying...