Size: a a a a    Colour: a a a
THE HIRED HELP

by Leigh Smith


"I know you're in here, come on out now," he said.

She wasn't sure what to do, should she come out or continue to hide? She held her breath, knowing he would be able to see it in the cold air if she didn't. Everything was still and then she heard footsteps; figuring everything was clear, she let out her breath. Seconds later she was face to face with an enormous cowboy.

"I knew someone was in here. What the hell are you doing hiding out in my barn?" he bellowed in a loud voice. She was so scared she couldn't make her mouth work. "You better talk, boy, before I call the sheriff."

"I'm n-n-not a-a-a-a b-b-boy," she managed to get out.

"What do you mean you're not a boy?" he said as he whipped the hat off her head and her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders. "By damn, you're not a boy. I still want to know why you're here in my barn. I know you've been her a day or so, I could tell by the disappearing apples in the barrel."

"I'm sorry; I didn't have anywhere else to go."

"How did you get here?"

"I hitched a ride and then started walking, I was tired and hungry and when I saw your barn, I slipped in. I hide when you come in to take care of the stock. I'll pay you back if you let me work off the cost of the apples."

"How old are you, girl?" he asked.

"I'm 23 years old," she told him.

"Girl, lying to me will earn you a trip over my knee."

"I'm not lying, mister. I'm 23 - I was born December 21, 1990. I have identification if you want to see it."

"You better not be lyin'."

Tanner Walker couldn't believe his eyes. Here was this slip of a girl who swore she wasn't lying about her age but looked about twelve, standing before him. She was cute as a button and reminded him of his ex-wife. She had long, brown, curly hair with the bluest eyes and a sprinkling of freckles across her nose. She could be no more than 5'4" and weighed about 120 pounds soaking wet. She was only wearing a lightweight jacket and had to be cold since the temperature outside was only slightly above freezing.

"You must be cold and hungry if you've only been living on apples. C'mon up to the house and we'll sort this out," he told her.

Tanner had a small horse ranch in Minton, a town on the western slope of Colorado. He raised cutting horses and had been at it for most of his life and his daddy before him. He was 32 years old and a great bear of a man. He stood 6'4" tall with straight black hair that came just below his collar and cobalt blue eyes. He always seemed to have a day's growth of beard, even if he shaved every day.



© Leigh Smith
Not to be reposted, reproduced or distributed, in part or whole.