THE GILTER

CHAPTER FIVE

It’s been three days since Cathie came back from school, She sat with her father on their porch. The ranch had really grew, her father had told her the sheep business was really profitable and that if they continued like that they won’t have to worry about finances, that perhaps they could even buy back their land if Cole Gallagher will be willing to sell.

They watched as a truck made its way toward them, stopping several feet’s from them. Two young men jumped down and walked toward them, they are brothers, Cathie thought as she watched them make their way to them and by God they are handsome fine men.

“They halted before them and removed their cowboy hat. “ Good afternoon.” They said in unison”

“Good afternoon.” Russell said,

Cathie nodded her head.

“You can sit.” Russell said indicating they sit beside him.

“Thank you.” They said as they sat. “Please we are here to see Mr. O’ Connell.” The eldest said.

“Here I am.” Russell said “What can I help you with?”

The eldest one cleared his throat “I am Herrick David, “he said, then point to his brother and this is Josh, my brother.”

“Okay.” Russell said

“We say your ad about needing a ranch help, I wonder if the offer is still on and if you could employ two.”

Russell smiled nodding his head “The offer is still on and two is okay.” He said

“Hmmm, okay, are we getting the job? ” He asked nervously passing his hand between him and his brother.

“Of course!” Russell said “ You guys look young, how old are you?”

“hmmm-------- Am twenty two and my brother is eighteen.” Herrick said, then he looked pointedly at Cathie.

‘’Oh’’ Russell said ‘’don’t mind my manners, this is my daughter, Catherine.’’ He hold her hand.

‘’Hi’’ she said smiling ‘’nice meeting you.

‘’Nice meeting you too.’’ Both brother said,

‘’Well,’’ Russell said, standing up ‘’if you can follow me to my office, we have some agreement to make, don’t you think?’’

‘’Of course, sir.’’

Cathie patted her checks when they went inside, her cheeks must be red. She had been staring at Herrick the whole time, she had never been this captivated by someone in her whole life even back at the university and he had stared back only removing his eyes when he was talking to her father. She stood up and shrugged inwardly, it’s not everyday you got to see a handsome man especially when you are on this ranch. She followed them inside, she knew she would have to sign to the agreement too. She’d been involved in everything concerning the ranch for a whole now.

Months flew by, the ranch really grew, everything was smooth, they had no problem or worries with the herds. As it turn out Herrick and Josh lives with them in the house, just for the main time before the building for staff would be completed, they couldn’t come and go everyday like Christopher because they came in from another town.

Rent used to be removed from their money, which was a fair situation because the house was big enough to contain more than ten guest. Though they was no agreement on food but they ate together because they couldn’t possibly eat and led the boys watch.

The first few weeks were awkward, but with time they got used to each other and are more like family now than the employer employee relationship between Cathie and Herrick grew with each passing day made Cathie awkward and hot every time she was close to Herrick. What makes matters worst was the fact that everybody knew but both of them refuse to acknowledge it.

Russell practically turned the book keeper, he rarely went out with the rest of them to ride the herds out and ride them back in. Cathie made sure of that.

Cathie, Herrick and his brother rode the herds back to the barn, when they secured the ‘’herds Cathie suggested they go to the care, Josh excused himself claiming he had a troubled stomach.

Cathie and Herrick rods out toward the care, they galloped to the few end of the ranch, Cathie felt so alive, it’s been a while she’d been to this side of the ranch, she glanced beside her at Herrick and wondered he felt the excitement she was feeling.

They halted their horse at the entrance of the ranch cave, they jumped down the horse and tied the horses to a post.

Cathie sat, on the familiar flat surfaced rock, Herrick was standing and looking around the cave, he touch the wall with his finger, he breath deeply.

‘’This is so nice,’’ he said quietly ‘’I have never been in a cave before,’’ he looked down at Cathie.

Cathie smiled and patted the place beside her ‘’sit’’ she said ‘’it’s more than nice, it’s amazing, the world seem so far away.’’

Herrick sat beside her and nodded his head ‘’it’s really amazing.’’ He said looking at her ‘’how did you discover here?’

‘’My father first brought me here when I was five, I fell in love with this place immediately. I couldn’t stay away for so long,’’ She murmured ‘’I came here at every opportunity with my father and we would sit right here and talk for long.’’

‘’I see,’’ Herrick said ‘’it’s so quiet, you could hear the lowest whisper.’’

Cathie nodded and looked at him, and he was staring back at her. They stared silently at each other for some seconds; Cathie knew her cheeks had turned red. She blinked several times-------

‘’You know between us----‘’

Cathie became short of word as Herrick suddenly drew her close and crushed his lips to hers.