THE GILTER

CHAPTER TWO

Days flew into weeks; weeks flew into month and months into years. They had been enough rainfall through the years, the herds had grown in numbers and price, Russell would do the accounts while Cathie bring in ideas on how the ranch would improve.

While they were gathering the cattle, Cathie suggested they should go to the caves and hills as she had always suggested.

Russell smiled at his seventeen year old daughter ‘You’ve not changed at all, Cathie, you’re always my energetic girl.’

‘Yes, Father!’ She was already leading the way.

When they reached there, they dismounted from their horses and went into the cave, breathing contently, Cathie closed her eyes then opened it ‘Nature never changes if you don’t temper with it.’ She said ‘its still as beautiful and captivating as the first time I was here.’

‘You are right, sweetheart.’ Russell said sitting down on the smooth surfaced rock, he patted his side, indicating that Cathie should sit beside him. She sat beside him ‘But no matter how much we temper with nature, nature is so patient that it always have its way.’

‘Papa?’ Cathie said seriously

‘What is it sweetheart?’

‘That ridge, how long has it been there?’

Russell sighed ‘Its been there since the day you were born.’

‘What?’ Cathie raised her brow ‘I don’t understand.’

‘Cole Gallagher divided the ranch the day you were born.’

‘Don’t worry papa,’ Cathie said with determination I will get the ranch back.’

Russell looked at his daughter with pride, she had been saying this since she was five and he still wondered how she will manage to get it back.

‘How?’ he asked curiously

She shrugged ‘I don’t know. Only time can tell.’

‘Time,’ Russell said ‘you don’t have much time Cathie, Time flies. You will go to the university and you would get married someday.’

‘I don’t want to leave this ranch father, do I have to go to the university? It will be of no use to me because I cant work in any organization, I want to get married on this ranch, have all my kids here and grow old here.’

‘Oh, sweetheart!’ Russell said hugging her ‘You must go to school and you husband may not want to live here on a ranch, he might be the city type.’

Cathie shook her head from side to side ‘No, I will not marry the city type.’

Russell smiled ‘Only time can tell that too.’ He whispered

They rode back home, Sarah had already set the table. Cathie rushed to her room while Russell rushed to his to wash the day’s sweat off their bodies.

They ate dinner talking about the next day’s event.

‘Cathie, Sarah would take you to town tomorrow to do some shopping.’ Russell said looking across the table at his daughter ‘You’re leaving for school next tomorrow.’

‘its early, cant I stay till next session before going?’ Cathie said sadly ‘Next tomorrow is too soon.’

‘Naughty girl!’ Sarah said from where she was sitting at the table ’The earlier the better.’

‘Do really have to go to school?’ she asked ‘its of no use to me.’

‘Let me tell you something,’ Russell said sipping from his wine ‘when I was young like you and was asked to go to college, I asked my father, do i really have to go to college? its of no use to me. I will be working on this ranch all my life, I don’t need to go schooling and so on.’ Looking at Cathie, he added ‘ Do u know what my father said?’

Cathie shook her head no

‘He said I had to, and I must. Its one of the rules in the family.

She sighed deeply ‘I give in , it’s only a matter of few years anyway.

‘Sarah and Russell busted into laughter, they continue their dinner as Cathie entertained them with mimicking and jokes.