Whisked Away

Chapter Three

Ian eyed his land from his front porch of his newly acquired homestead.

“All mine. I can’t believe after all these years I finally have something to show for myself”.

Ian McClarin. Born to Emma and John McClarin. Raised in the bustling town of New York City. His Mom did at least. His dad a businessperson of sorts. Became rich from other people misfortunes. And was always on a new get rich scheme and hardly ever home. Ian looked up to him. Thought he was an honest, upright citizen and did everything by the book, until one day he found his dad ledger. It never occurred to Ian before that his dad may be a thief. Not the real thief that you hear about going to jail but the kind that took advantage of people going through tough times. Ian swore that he would never buy anything in his life without working hard for it. 

So now here He stood, 6’2, bronzed skin, sandy blond wavy hair down to his shoulders. Medium built, not skinny just muscular, staring out to his acres upon acres of land that he earned himself through blood, sweat and tears.

When the war started his father had enough leverage to keep him out of it, but to get away from his father’s thieving and lying ways he snuck off and enlisted. for 10 years he saw the cruelties and inhumanities of war. He saved every penny her could because he didn’t want to go back to his parents, especially his father. When he was discharged from his duties, he bought this homestead on 100 acres in the middle of the Oklahoma territory. He found it advertised for sale in a pamphlet trying to encourage people to move west. $10 dollar an acre. So, he bought the land deed, grabbed some horses and cattle and headed west.

Now he stood looking proudly out over his vast spread. As he admired his land in the distance, he sun was starting to come up over the horizon. Peeking its bright shiny eyes up over the rolling hills in the distance, announcing it coming with the yellows, oranges, pinks and reds it emanated over the horizon.

"Well Butch, looks like our day is getting ready to get started" he said to his new puppy he got on his way here. Butch was a 6-month-old golden retriever that a family of settlers on the last of their luck just couldn’t take care of anymore. He gave them a chunk of meat and some milk for the 4 babies that they had and grabbed up the puppy. He tucked Butch under his arm and continued his way. 

"Butch after breakfast we need to make a trip into town and pick up some supplies and check out if we can hire some hands."  Butch just looked up him from his laying spot next to Ian’s feet and wagged his tail.

The house was a one room shanty that he built. he had a wood burning stove, a sink that he had to bring the water in from the well and a bed. a small wooden table sat in the corner where he took his suppers at. It was doable for now. it kept him from the elements and the wild animals. The porch consisted of a roof and four 2 X 4s hammered together with 4 steps down to the ground. 

Ian had put the coffee on before going outside to view the landscape and it was boiling. he pour3ed himself a cup and grabbed the bacon up. fried himself up a couple of pieces of bacon for himself and Butch. made a quick gravy and poured it on the hard biscuits he tried to make the other morning. And sat in quiet, thinking about his trip into town while he ate his morning meal. All done, he washed up the few cast irons he had and headed outside to get his horse and carriage ready for the long trip into town.

As Ian was finished up attaching the carriage, he heard horses approaching. He turned as saw three riders approaching.

"Howdy!!  How can help you gentlemen today?" Ian hollered out to them as he walked toward them. 

"Are you the owner of this here homestead?" the oldest gentlemen asked. He was around 65 with grey hair down to his ears and a long grey beard. Looked a bit unkept. 

"Yes sir" Ian exclaimed. "How do you do? My name is Ian.' " as Ian put his hand out to shake the man’s hand.

"We own the land next to this one. And we don’t take kindly to no new folk taking over our feeding grounds." said one of the other men with the older gentlemen.

"Jack behave your manners!" said the older gentlemen "My name is Lloyd Winter, and this is my oldest son Jack and my youngest Seth. We live just over yonder. Was just being neighborly and welcoming you to the area. Be advised to keep an eye on your livestock and horses. Don’t let them wander too far they might not come back." Lloyd said with an evil smile that warned Ian that he needs to keep an eye on these fellas.

"Mr. winter nice to meet you and your boys. I will definitely take heed with your warning. As you can see, I am in the middle of something. so, if you don’t mind, I would like to get back to it. I believe you kindly find your way back. Thank you and have a great day."  Ian excused himself and headed back toward the horse and carriage as he watched his unwanted guests saunter away on their horses in the direction that they came.

"Well Butch" Ian spoke "I guess we have ruffled some feathers being here. " 

Ian finished up with the horse and carriage. Made sure all the gates and doors were secure and headed into town

"Butch I think we need to look into heavier fire power while in town" Butch barked at Ian and Ian headed out toward Brushing.