THE blizzard set in the night before Thanksgiving.
The snow began falling again around three in the afternoon, and by five, one thing became totally clear to Stoney. They needed to get all the horses in, no matter where they were pastured, and the small herd of cattle they ran needed to be moved to the closest pasture where he could monitor the stock tanks, and feed most easily with the supplemental feed.
He got his heaviest socks and his longies on and grabbed his heavy flannel to go under his long coat. This was a hell of a lot easier in Texas, he swore to God.
“Daddy, where are you going?”
“We got to move the horses, son. You hang here.”
“I can help.”
Stoney tried not to scowl. “Yep, you can. Get all the dogs who don’t herd inside, and get with Geoff to make coffee and snacks. We’ll all need it when we get back.”
Angie and Doc could four-wheel, but him and Tanner would have to ride. They’d put the packhorses out a ways after the last hunting party to give them the best grazing and rest. Now he’d kick his own ass for that if he could reach it.
“But, Daddy….”
“What did I say?” He didn’t have time for this shit.
“Yessir.” Quartz’s shoulders slumped, and Stoney pondered checking in with Ford to make sure he kept an eye on Quartz. Geoff would be in the kitchen in less than a minute….
“Come on, boss! We got to get this done before the storm gets worse.”
“I’m fully aware of that.” He fastened a look on Quartz. “You wait here for Geoff, okay? Stay out of trouble, you hear?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Quartz’s lower lip pooched out, but he wouldn’t disobey a direct order like that, so Stoney turned on his heel, barking orders at Tanner. He headed out into the storm, the breath whooshing out of him for a moment.
Geoff passed them on the way in. “You got your radio?”
“Uh-huh. Y’all have warm stuff waiting.” Stoney headed out to the barn, the wind already screaming. He wrapped his scarf around his face even tighter as the wind tried to steal it. He’d need that wool mother to breathe into, keep his nose from freezing.
He pulled himself up on Button, saluting Tanner in thanks for saddling her up. He would cut up the most direct path to the packhorses, while Tanner would swing around on his surefooted gelding to come at them from the top.
Angie waved when she drove off, and he said a little prayer for every one of his hands, dogs, and livestock. Prayer was never in vain, right?
Right. God loved dogs, horses, and stupid fucking cowboys.