once upon a cowboy

The Tavern Ranch

“tyr give me patience to get through this day.” looking up at the sky she softly utter the words. closing and locking up the house she was the last one in the truck and ready to go. getting comfortable she pulled out her journal as Gabriel backed out the driveway.

“so how you going to explain to my father what’s going on?” Gabriel asked with a cheeky grin knowing she doesn’t remember the three am phone call with his dad.

“what you mean?” confused and looking up from her book to look at him. changing her attention back to her bag it get a cigarette.

“yeah, he called this morning and you half asleep told him that I kidnapped you and that he’d have to wait tell you was up and moving around to get me back.” eyes wide as if saying oh s**t her cheeks flushed red as she tried to light the cigarette between her lips.

“why are you saying I would have to explain though?” stating like a matter of fact now it was his turn to say s**t as he was made to think about what he was going to say. “also how do you expect to explain to him why you never told them in the first place. “

“I’m a thirty year old man I don’t have to explain nothing about my choices to him.” sending a glance over to her as if to say top that one. sending her brain into over drive to find some one he would have to explain to and the moment she had the thought it sent a evil grin to her face.

“oh really than do you want to tell me that you don’t have to explain to your loving mother about why you never told her, the same mother that spent two months trying to apparently set me up with you...” as soon as the words left her lips she started to put two and two together and it all made to much sense so much so Serena couldn’t stop laughing. “oh wow your poor mother if she had only known that we we’re already together at the time.”

not understanding what she was talking about Gabriel had to start thinking up of how he was going to explain to his mother. “well this is going to be a long morning isn’t it.” with a sigh he noticed the first red lights of the towns main street and seen the gas station. “before we pass it do you want to stop and get anything?” trying to catch her breath from laughing she could only nod.

“yeah, I need another pack and a couple dr.peppers to last the day.” holding her sides as if they were hurting her.

“you need to drink water to.” agreeing with her as they came to a stop at the light waiting for it to turn. “but, your right I will have to explain it to her.” watching the road and heading for the entrance of the gas station pulling up to a pump Gabriel shot a glance towards the wolves in the back seat through the rearview mirror. "you want me to roll their window down?"

"it'll be okay I guess there's few people here so I don’t see why not." pulling out her wallet only to be stopped by Gabriel. "what?"

"not happening, besides I need to get gas as well so I’ll pay for everything just get what you want." he spoke making sure she didn't try and pull a stunt. "let me do this." closing her eyes and agreeing. rolling the back windows down just enough they can squeeze their heads through. He than shut the truck off and got out. "come on Hun." with those sweet words the door was shut and he walked to the front of the truck to wait for her. following slowly behind him, readjusting the hat on her head and looking over to his smiling face.

"why mister cowboy what’s with that look?" holding out her hand waiting patiently waiting for him to take it.

"because today is just going to be a good day." taking it and walking hand and hand to the doors of the gas station. "you said you needed cigarette’s and a soda can you get me watermelon tea please?" opening the door for her to walk in. it didn't take her long to find what she was looking for along with some extra snacks for later, grabbing some of not only her favorites but also his. stepping up to the counter next to him she couldn't help notice the tiny blonde trying to get his attention for more than just paying the tab. "can I get a pack of Marlboro black 100's and a pack of Red shorts?" the blond made a quick glance to Serena who was now partly hiding behind the brim of the hat and partly behind Gabriel’s right arm. "along with thirty five on pump five please." the girl smiled and typed the number in before turning around to grab the cigarettes and scanning them.

"when did you get a new hat Gabe?" she asked with a smile then noticing it that the one Serena had on was the one with his feather, washing away the smile and replacing it with a scowl almost.

"it's not new, someone refuses to let me wear my hat today for some reason." turning his head to look down over to her noticing that something was wrong. "what's the total?"

"it's going to be fifty even." with as much effort to lace the words with poison Gabriel paid her and tried his best not to allow Serena to bite back. "oh and Gabe we missed you last night at the party." that was the last straw for Serena and it was her turn to spit poison.

"understand this blonde if you ever try to spit poison through those flaky chapped lips again I suggest that you learn how to truly become poisonous." pulling the bag off the counter and walking away to find a child at the truck trying to pet one of the wolves. "Gabriel look." giggling at the sight and pointing it out. "also by the way cowboy." pulling him down by the collar and sealing their lips together with a wicked grin as she pulled away and headed for the truck. leaving a very shocked cowboy who stood in the door. looking back at the tiny blonde then back to see Serena lifting the child up so he could get closer to the dog hanging out the window.

"that is Serena and as you can clearly see that woman is a poisonous snake one you'll never be able to come close to her level along with the fact she's the only person who can even touch my hat. remember that before you try and top her." leaving the store just as Serena placed the kid down and got into the truck. as he made his way to the fuel pump to start pumping the first rays of the sun kissed the white snow on the ground. ruffling the fur of the wolf hanging out the window he took a deep breath before opening the driver door to see Serena nose deep in her journal. "I’m sorry Hun I didn't know that would happen."

"it's fine I mean you are one of the town's most handsome Bachelor it’s bound to happen..." running through the checklist in her journal for the day's schedule. "besides I have your hat." kissing the side of Hati who had made his way to block Gabriel's line of sight. "also I would really like it if you chose to spend the day helping me with the traps." not looking over to him but simple in her book. I brought two of my horses that way it’ll be safer to use the boys since they grew up around the two wolves so there’s no risk of them spooking." with the click of the pump finishing and the snap of a soda bottle opening Gabriel was able to get back in the truck and getting it started.

"Serena please ." Gabriel tried to get her attention.

"look Gabriel I forgave you last night so don't look into it like that, I’m not mad at you I’m simply mad at her for thinking she can out do me." the thought caused Gabriel to start laughing and receiving a weird look from Serena as he rolled the windows back up and pulling out of the station parking lot. "so will you be willing to spend the day helping me so I don't have to get a random ranch hand to work with?" picturing the scene of them working with her wolves didn't end well for anyone.

"if my father says that he doesn’t need me today you know I’m more than willing to help." watching the speed before he set the Cruise control and relaxing into his seat as much as he could with the silence. "also it'll take about forty minutes to get to the house." hoping she take the hint he laid out as he laid his hand on the center counsel open for her hand. seeing what he was trying to do she put her journal away and pulled out the open pack of cigarettes to light one before entangling her fingers with his. Light small talk riddled the drive here and there, never really going to far into depth tell they was finally pulling down the driveway of the ranch.

"damn I clearly forgot how big this place was..." looking out the window over the white painted fields littered with cattle. “I may not have brought enough traps this time around." pulling out her journal to check numbers.

"we have extra if you need them. Wait, on second thought you said my dad was the one that called you out here?" thinking over everything because somethings didn’t add up.

"Yeah, why?" Serena asked confused as to what he was getting at.

"why though? if we was having a big enough problem we could have handled it ourselves without outside help." trying to put two and two together but it just wasn't happening.

“I mean we could always ask when we get there and yeah I would be grateful if I could use the extra traps if I need it. how many Acres is the east field any way?" the main house came into view as she finished her question and Gabriel shook himself out of his thought's to remember the right number.

"each section of the ranch are roughly about sixty acres a piece putting the ranch at two hundred and sixty acres as a whole. the house, cabins, barns along with the ranch hands bunkers are on the first twenty acres. My cabin is actually on the back of that twenty acres and Brandon still lives in the main house with ma and pop’s." the thought caused Serena to laugh as she remembers Brandon from the night before. "his not going to be to happy to see you, you know that right?" more saying it out loud then telling it to her knowing she doesn't care.

"oh well he shouldn't have tried to be something he isn't." turning around to check on the now sleeping fur balls in the back seat and noticing the amount of shedded fur covered the seat. " another note if this is going to become a habit you might want to invest in seat covers." not looking at him for her mind already knew what he was thinking.

"does my dad know that their with you?" looking in the rearview mirror to see the hair.

"yeah, I had them with me when I dropped the horses and trailer off so he knows. your mom loves them and well your dad not so much Hati tried to do the same to him as he did to you at the house." remembering the scene and the laughter her and his mom had shared. "that would have been some s**t if the same wolf would have taken both of ya'll down." the idea brought tears to her eyes from the laughter.

"That would be some s**t. Well, here we are this is going to be a long one. " glancing at the clock to see it was only seven am and with a sigh he went to get out to find not only his dad but Brandon on the porch waiting for them. "this is going to be interesting none the less." nodding her head in agreeance she opened her own door stepping out. "I’ll get the boys." not waiting for her answer he pulled open the door and they made their escape and rushed to the stairs of the porch with a scream filling the air it sent a chill through the ranch.

"SKAL, HATI! BOYS.” Serena’s voice turned cold and demanding stopping the large wolves in their tracks. “COME!” without hesitation they quickly returned to her side as she pulled out her bag and closed the door.

“what the hell!” your here to trap animals like them not bring them here!” outraged Brandon shouted. “you cant be serious this is who you hired.” realizing that Serena was the one that insulted him last night. “I don’t even understand why you even hired someone we could have done it ourselves.” his attitude directed towards Serena only to be silenced by both Gabriel and their father Richard.

“Serena, it’s so good to see u again. come in come in.” the sweet older cowboy motioned for them to come in making way for the wolves to get past them as she made her way up the stairs behind them. “and Gabriel you have some explaining to do.” the old man went from sweet to serious as he made eye contact with his oldest son. “besides why didn’t you tell us ya’ll had already met and started dating?” Richard said surprising both Gabriel and Brandon. “before you ask who told us it was Victor.” walking into the house shortly behind Serena who had heard the conversation and was now wearing a small smile.

“oh it’s my sweet grand babies!” a soft voice rang from the living room just as the boys rounded the corner running over to the lady sitting at the end of the couch happily. “oh Serena darling good morning.” with the purest smile on her face she was a proud mother but she playful frowned when she stood up to walk over for a hug. “why didn’t you tell me you and Gabriel had already met all those years ago? would have saved me some trouble to know ya’ll was already together.” giving her a big hug and mentioning to the couch to have a sit as the man made their way into the living room as well.

“Well, honestly I only found out myself last night. I’m sorry y’all had to find out the way y’all did as well though. If I had known for the beginning this sneaky plan of yall’s wouldn’t have been necessary and could have been avoided all together.” Serena noticed Elizabeth had sent a glare over to her son Gabriel.

“As for you why would you do such a thing to such a sweet girl like Serena?” his mother asked pointing her slim soft finger at him.

“mother, please I never wanted this to happen. I just didn’t know how ya’ll would handle her being a outsider or her as a person. Ya’lls track record for the girls I’ve brought into my life hasn’t really been the best.” Gabriel spoke up and tried to smooth his mother’s temper over with logic.

“the reason for that is most of them was money hungry or barrel girls and we all know that’s not the kind of girl you need by your side when it’s your turn to run this place.” His father commented from behind.

“so, wait, you two set all this up, just to get them two back together?” a confused Brandon finally spoke out still trying to piece everything together.

“in fact we did, when Victor told us at the real reason Serena here couldn’t make it we were a little disappointed in Gabriel.” His mother stated her part of the explanation.

“Victor told us everything that happened. So, we decided to come up with a way to get her back here. Now, we knew she would never agree if we told her the real reason. But, when our east fields started to become dangerous for the cattle, we had the prime opportunity to get her back.” Richard said ruffling the top of one of the wolf’s heads with a large smile. “but we never would have thought you two would have met last night. So, trust me when it was you Serena that answered his phone, I was shocked but also very excited that the ball was rolling like it should be.” With a nod Elizabeth agreed with her husband as she sat next to Serena to watch her son’s reaction. “But, Brandon how did you come to meet Serena?” with a small breath Serena tried to hold her tongue sending a glance to Gabriel with the face of a child in trouble.

“she’s the one from the bar I told you about.” With wide eyes Richard and Elizabeth both turned to look at Serena who was now hiding behind her hair. “oh, so now your speechless?” Brandon added to his statement as she tried to come up with a reason to last night’s events

“that would have been my fault. Look man, she was still furious with me and she lashed out at you because you reminded her of me and she already doesn’t have a filter when she’s sober let alone drinking whiskey.” Holding out his hand to his brother as a way to call a truce. Eyeing his brother Brandon reluctantly took his hand. “I’m really sorry bro.” Gabriel turned to look at Serena planning to get her to apologize only to be reminded that she had no plans to.