The Orphan And The Cowboy

 

 

By:  Kenda

 

 

 

 

     The sun toasted Heath Barkley's back through his chambray shirt.  He pulled on Charger's reins, bringing the animal to a halt.  He unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and rolled one sleeve to his elbow, then repeated that action with the other.  He took his cowboy hat off and wiped his forehead with an arm. The sun beat down on his fair head, causing him to make quick work of repositioning his hat before gently nudging Charger with the heels of his boots. 

 

     Heath could see the inviting blue of the Diamond River in the distance.  The river cut a wide path through the Barkley property and was a great place to fish on the rare occasions when Jarrod, Nick, and Heath could all sneak away from their work for a summer afternoon of brotherly camaraderie.  Jarrod and Nick often spoke of swimming in the river as children, though to Heath's knowledge neither man had engaged in that bit of fun for a good many years now.  The same didn't hold true for Heath and Audra.  The two of them enjoyed nothing better than taking a dip in the crystal clear water on a sweltering July day. 

 

     The man leaned forward in the saddle and patted Charger's neck.  He wicked sweat off the animal with his hand.  "How about a little detour to the river, boy?  You can get a nice long drink while I go for a swim.  Audra's not with me today so I can enjoy the water the way a man was meant to."

 

     Heath guided the horse to the river's edge.  He looped Charger's reins over a low tree branch, making certain the animal would have no problem reaching the water.  Charger immediately proved he could accomplish that feat as he bent his head and took a drink.

 

     Heath looked around before beginning to disrobe.  Just as he expected, there was no one within miles.  He was deep onto Barkley land, far away from any roads or commonly traveled routes.  The man had been inspecting fence lines since seven that morning and was more than happy to take a break during the heat of the day.  It was mid June, but felt like August.  As Heath tossed his clothes over Charger’s saddle he couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the summer would be like if it was already this hot.

 

     The naked man slowly waded into the river.  He enjoyed the feel of the water as it rose to cool his skin.  When the water touched his chest Heath took a deep breath and plunged beneath its surface.  He burst back to the top, shook the excess water from his hair, then dove deep and swam until he was forced to come up for air.  He repeated this action again and again, then rolled over on his back.  With lazy strokes Heath swam for the area where Charger was secured.  He glanced over and saw his horse nibbling on grass.  The animal appeared to be as content with this little break as his master was.

 

     The blond man repositioned his body until the buoyancy of the water kept him in a sitting position.  Using his hands to steady himself he paddled down river, occasionally diving beneath the surface when the sun burned too hot on his head. 

 

     Some time later Heath glanced at the sky.  By the position of the sun he was able to estimate a good forty-five minutes had passed since he'd entered the water.

 

     I better get out, take a few minutes to let the sun dry me off, then get my clothes on and head home.  I'm sure Nick will have a list of things waitin' at the ranch for me that he'll claim will need doin' before the day ends.

 

     Heath swam back to where Charger was waiting. His strokes were sure and strong as each arm rose from the water in synchronized rhythm.  When the riverbank came into focus he was surprised to spot a little boy sitting on a rock with a fishing pole in hand.  Heath squinted, trying to get a look under the brim of the boy's cowboy hat.  From this distance it was hard to see the child's face, but near as Heath could tell he didn't know the young man. 

 

     Mmmm, I wonder who he belongs to.  It's a good ten miles to the nearest ranch from this spot.  He can't be more than...five, six years old tops.  Too young to be out here by himself.

 

     Heath didn't want to scare the boy so stood in the chest-high water and waved.  "Hi, son!"

 

     The boy looked up. The presence of a strange man didn't seem to startle him.  He smiled and gave Heath an amiable wave in return.

 

     Heath waded toward shore.  Sand oozed through his toes from the river bottom.  The water was just about to recede to Heath’s hipbones when the boy stood.  The youngster pulled his line in, took off his hat, and gave his head a shake.

 

     Heath plunged faster than a hawk diving for a fish.  The boy wasn't a boy after all, but rather a girl.  A petite little girl with honey brown hair that cascaded to the middle of her back.  The child secured her line to her pole, then picked her way over the rocks until she was standing on the bank next to Charger.

 

     "Hi!"

 

     "Uh...hi."

 

     "Goin' for a swim?"

 

     "Uh...yeah.  Just finishin' up as a matter of fact."

 

     "Is the water nice?"

 

     Heath looked around with discomfort.  The last thing he wanted was to get caught talking to this little girl without a stitch of clothing on.  Granted, the water was covering all but his upper chest, nonetheless this was an uncomfortable situation to be in.

 

     "Uh...listen, honey, you'd better run along.  I'm sure whoever you came fishing with must be wondering where you are."

 

     "I didn't come with anyone."

 

     "You didn't?"  

 

     "Nope."

 

     Before the cowboy could ask any more questions the little girl beat him to it.  "Say, mister, what's your name?"

 

     "Heath.  Heath Barkley."

 

     "Heath?  I have a bro--" the child stopped in mid sentence as though she realized she was about to reveal something she'd rather keep to herself.  "Heath.  That's a nice name."

 

     "Thank you.  And how about you?  What's your name?" 

 

     "Amber."

 

     "Amber?"

 

     "Yep."

 

     "Well now, I don't believe I've ever heard that name before.  It's a pretty handle for a pretty little gal."

 

     Amber blushed and dipped her head.  "Thank you, Heath."

 

     "Listen, Amber, I need to get out of this river and get dress...take care of a few things so we can have a proper conversation.  Would you mind turning your back for a minute or so."

 

     "Nope.  I don't mind.  I know you're naked."

 

     Now it was Heath's turn to blush as he wondered just how long this child had been watching him while he swam.  "You do?"

 

     "Sure.  After all, everyone swims naked.  Well, except for some of those really rich people who live far away in Boston.  They wear somethin' called bathing suits when they go to the swimmin' hole.  Don't that beat all you ever heard of?  That someone would sew a suit of clothes just for swimmin’?"

 

     "And where'd you hear this?"

 

     "My momm...I read about it in Anderson’s Ladies Journal."

 

     Heath arched an eyebrow.  "You read about it in Anderson’s Ladies Journal?"

 

     "I surely did, Heath. That's the God's honest truth, cross my heart and hope to die."

 

     "No, don't hope that.  I believe you."  Heath moved his index finger in a circle. "Now turn around and stay that way with your eyes facing that big tree over on the hill until I give the word."

 

     "Okay."

 

     If nothing else the child was obedient.  She did as Heath requested and remained in that position while he dashed from the water.  He grabbed his clothes off Charger's saddle, ducked behind a clump of bushes, and made quick work of pulling his pants on. The man’s movements were considerably less frantic as he put his socks and boots on.   Heath couldn't help but smile as he slipped into his shirt and fastened the buttons.  His little visitor was warbling ‘Oh! Susanna,’ while hopping back and forth from one foot to the other in what Heath took to be an improvised jig.

 

     "All right, Miss Amber.  You can turn around now."

 

     The little girl pivoted and skipped to Heath's side.  She eyed Charger and reached up to stroke his nose. "He sure is a beautiful animal.  What's his name?"

 

     "Charger."

 

     "I bet he's what, about sixteen hands high?" 

 

     Heath was startled by the child's knowledge. 

 

"Uh...yeah.  About that."

    

"Is he a good cutting horse?"

    

"One of the best."  Heath's hand joined Amber's in petting Charger.  "As a matter of fact this fella is good at just about everything he does."

    

"That's the mark of fine horse flesh, Heath.  Mighty fine horseflesh.  Where'd you get him?  At one of the auctions down in San Diego?"

    

"How do you know about those auctions?"

    

"Oh...I just get around."

    

Heath laughed.  "Yeah, I see that you do.  And speaking of gettin’ around, how'd you make your way to my swimming hole?"

    

"On Toby."

    

"Toby?"

    

The girl turned, pointing to a thick grove of trees.  Heath squinted, finally spotting the Tobiano Paint gelding happily munching on some bushes. 

    

"And he's your horse, huh?"

    

"Yep.  He's kinda old, but he's my friend.  I learned to ride on him."

    

"I see."  Heath reached down and took the little girl by the hand.  "Well, Miss Amber, I'd say we'd better put you on Toby's back and get you home."

    

"I can't go home."

    

"What do you mean you can't go home?"

    

"I don't have one."

    

"You don't have a home?"

    

Amber hung her head and scuffed the toe of one cowboy boot against the dirt.  "No.  I don’t have no home. I don’t have no one.  I'm an orphan."

    

Heath had to hand it to the child, she was doing her best to look pitiful but she'd already dropped too many clues that would indicate to him she was far from an orphan.  Granted, she was dressed in boy’s clothing, but her shirt and trousers were clean and pressed.  Heath’s eyes traveled to Amber’s footwear.  Her cowboy boots were a bit worn, but only in a way that indicated to Heath that they, like the rest of her clothing, had probably belonged to an older brother at one time.    

    

The cowboy crouched down in front of the child. "You know, Miss Amber, I'm having a hard time believin’ your story.  What with that fine horse you're riding, and these clean clothes you're wearing, and the fact that you look well tended to.  Now maybe you’d like to think a little more about where it is you call home.”" 

    

Amber stamped her foot, her green eyes flashing defiant anger.  "I am an orphan, Heath!  I am!  And nothing you can say will change that.  It's a hard cold fact and that's all there is to it."

    

"That’s all there is to it, huh?"

    

"Yep.  And besides, didn't your momma ever tell you a gentleman doesn't question a lady?"

    

"I reckon she mighta mentioned that a time or two.  Is that what your momma told you?"

    

"No, but she told that to my broth--" Amber bit her lower lip and dropped her eyes to the ground.  "I just heard it somewhere, that's all."

 

     Heath was sure his next threat would crack the child.  "Amber, if you won’t say where you live I'll have to take you home with me."

    

Amber grinned from ear to ear. "That would be just dandy!  I already like you, Heath."

    

"And I already like you, too, honey,” Heath smiled, “but I sure hate the thought of someone worrying themselves sick over your whereabouts."

    

"But I just told you there is no one to worry about me.  I'm an orphan."

    

Heath shook his head.  "No, what you are is stubborn."  The man sighed as he stood.  He placed a hand on Amber’s back and led her toward Toby.  It was almost like lifting a feather pillow when he hoisted her into the saddle.  

    

"Up you go."

    

The cowboy untied Toby's reins and gave them to the girl.  He walked over and picked up her fishing pole and hat.  The pole he secured to her saddle, the hat he plopped on her head.

    

"Am I going home with you, Heath?"

    

"Looks that way.  Unless, after thinkin' about it reeeeal hard, you've remembered you do have a family after all."

    

"Heath, if I've told you once already I've told you a million times. I'm an--"

    

"Orphan. I know. And I do apologize for questioning you on that fact.  As you pointed out to me, that's not the mark of a gentleman."

    

"I'm glad you're finally starting to see things my way."

    

Heath hid his smile as he untied Charger's reins and swung himself onto the horse's back. He paused when he came abreast of Toby.  "You ready?" 

    

"Sure, Heath. I'm ready."  The girl gave Toby's sides three soft thumps. The old horse fell into step with Charger as Heath led the way to the Barkley ranch.

 

 

BV      BV       BV      BV     BV     BV     BV     BV

  

 

     Nick was shouting before Charger and Toby had taken four steps into the ranch yard.

 

     “Where have you been?  I expected you back two hours ago!  Do you know how much work we have to get done before the sun goes down!  Do you know how...who’s he?”

 

     Amber stared wide-eyed at the irate man.  She swallowed hard and looked at Heath.  The blond ignored his brother as he climbed off Charger and took Toby’s reins.

 

     “Heath!  I asked who is he?”

 

     “He’s not a he, he’s a she. Her name is Amber.”

 

     “Come again.”

 

     “Amber.”

 

     “Amber?  What kinduva name is that?  It sounds like a color Audra would pick for a dress.”

 

     Amber’s lower lip quivered. She didn’t like this dark, loud man.  She didn’t like him one bit. 

 

     “I think it’s a pretty name.  A pretty name for a pretty young lady.  And lower your voice, Nick.  You’re scaring her.”

 

     “Oh...oh, yeah...well...sorry, kid.”  Nick followed his brother into the barn.  “So anyway, why are you so late?”

 

     Heath plucked Amber from her saddle.  He settled her on her feet, then led her mount to a vacant stall.  “Toby here doesn’t move so fast.”

 

     Nick eyed the animal with open disdain.  “Boy, I’ll say.  This old nag looks like he’s two steps away from going to horsy heaven.”

 

     Amber clenched her fists while tears welled up in her eyes. 

 

“Don’t you dare say that about Toby!  He’s the bestest horse there’s ever been!  I learned to ride on him!  He’s a roping horse.  One of the greatest in his day!  He won lots of prizes for my pap...he won lots of prizes!”

    

“Whoa, whoa, whoa there, little lady,” Nick soothed.  “Don’t go gettin’ your britches in a bundle.”  The man looked to his brother.  “She sure is a hot tempered little spit fire, isn’t she?”

 

     Heath smiled while removing Toby’s saddle.  “Takes one to know one.”

 

     “What!  What’s that supposed to mean?  And where did she come from anyway?  And what’s she doing here besides?”

 

     “She came from down by the Diamond River.”

 

     “Me and Heath got acquainted while he was swimming,” Amber said, her tears momentarily forgotten.

 

     “Oh you did, did you?”  A twinkle lit Nick’s eyes.  Knowing exactly what his brother wore, or didn’t wear rather when swimming if there were no ladies present, brought a mental picture to Nick’s mind that was too funny to ignore.  Nick moved to take care of Charger for Heath while questioning their young visitor.  “So what were you doing by the Diamond River?”

 

     “I was fishin’.  Fishin’ and then I saw Heath in the water.  We exchanged howdies, and then he made me turn my back so he could get out of the water and get dressed.”

 

     “You didn’t peek, did you?”

 

     “Nick!”  Heath glared at his brother.

 

     Nick swallowed his laughter while Amber solemnly shook her head.

 

“No, sir.  That wouldn’t be ladylike.  And my momm...at the orphanage I was taught to be ladylike.”

    

“Orphanage?”

 

     “Yep.  I’m an orphan in case you haven’t figured that out yet.  That’s why Heath had to bring me home with him.  I got no place of my own to go.  I got no momma, or no papa either.  Not four brothers even, or a dog named Gracie.  I don’t have any of that stuff.”

 

     Nick cocked a doubtful eyebrow.  “You don’t, huh?  Well, kid, if you don’t have any of those things then what you do seem to have is a vivid imagination.”

 

     Amber crossed her arms over her chest and smiled with satisfaction. “Yep, that’s the one thing I got.  I got ‘magination.”

 

     Heath laughed at the way the little dynamo had bested his brother.

 

     Nick glowered at the child.  “You know, kid, when I was your age if I had talked that way to an adult my behind woulda’ been good and sore.”

 

     Amber ran for Heath.  She hid behind his legs begging,  “Don’t let him spank me, Heath!  Please don’t let him spank me!”

 

     “Nick’s not gonna spank you, sweetie.”  Heath untangled the arms clutching his kneecaps.  He lifted Amber up and settled her on his hip.  “You don’t pay him no mind. You’ll soon discover Nick’s bark is much worse than his bite.”

 

     Nick stomped after his brother as Heath exited the barn carrying Amber. 

 

     “Just what are you gonna do with her?”

 

     “What we do with any guest who visits us. I’m gonna have Silas fix her something to eat, offer her a hot bath, and then see if I can find some clothes for her.  Doesn’t Mother still have a trunk full of Audra’s old stuff in the nursery?”

 

     “Yeah, I think so.  But, Heath, you can’t keep her.  Why this child is no more an orphan than I’m Santa Claus.”

 

     “I know you’re not Santa Claus ‘cause he isn’t mean and he doesn’t go around shouting all the time either.  But as for me, I’m an orphan no matter what you say.”

 

     Nick scowled at the little girl as he spoke to his brother.  “If you had to bring a kid home you could have at least found one who had some manners.”

 

     “You know, Nicholas, the only problem between you and Amber is that you’re too much alike.”

 

     “Alike!  Oh right, we’re about as alike as vinegar and sugar.”

 

     Heath smiled and looked at Amber.  “You being sugar, and Nick being vinegar.”

 

     The child giggled while Nick continued.  “If you haven’t noticed, she’s a girl and we’re men.”

 

     “So?”

 

     “Mother and Audra are in Denver.  Just how do you propose we take care of a little girl with no women in the house?”

 

     “I expect the same way we’d take care of a little boy with no women in the house.”

 

     “Look, Heath, I don’t know anything about little girls.  Big girls, yes.  I know a lot about them, but little girls are a foreign animal.”

 

     “I’m not an animal!” Amber declared from Heath’s hip.

 

     Nick ignored the child’s outburst.  “Besides, if Jarrod were here he’d tell you there’s gonna be trouble if you keep this child.” Nick shot Amber a pointed look. “And I use the word child loosely in this situation.  Nonetheless, you’d better find out who she belongs to and find it out fast before someone comes gunning for you.”

 

     “Well, Jarrod isn’t here now, is he.  He’s in San Francisco trying a case and he will be for another week so I guess I’m gonna have to make this decision on my own.”

 

     “But you can’t keep her!”

 

     “Yes, he can,” Amber said. “I’m an orphan so that means I don’t belong to anyone.  I’m free to pick who I want to live with and I pick Heath.”

 

     “Well, little miss, you can’t live with Heath.  I don’t care what you say, I know you belong to someone. Now why don’t you just make this easier on all of us and tell us where you live.”

 

     Amber buried her head in Heath’s shoulder and began to cry.  “I am an orphan.  I am.  Why doesn’t he believe me?  Why is he so mean?”

 

     Heath rubbed a hand over the girl’s back.  “Shhh, sweetie. Shhh.  There’s no need to cry.  I believe you so that’s all that matters.”

 

     “Heath!  For heaven’s sake you can’t--”

 

     “All in good time, Nick,” Heath said softly while carrying the sobbing Amber into the kitchen.  “All in good time.”

 

 

BV   BV       BV      BV     BV     BV     BV     BV

 

 

     An introduction to Silas, a roast beef sandwich, a cold glass of milk, and Nick’s absence chased away Amber’s tears.  She sat at the kitchen table with Heath, her eyes roaming the homey room filled with knotty pine cabinets, beamed ceiling, and copper pots and pans.  She pointed toward the stairs. 

 

     “Where do those go, Heath?”

 

     “Up to the bedrooms.  We can get there through the foyer as well.  I’ll show you when you’re done eating.”

 

     “Wow!  You’ve got two ways to get upstairs?  We don’t have two staircases at my hous...at the orphanage.”

 

     Heath smiled while peeling an apple with his pocketknife.  He sectioned it into slices that opened like a blooming rose, then set it on a plate in the center of the table.

 

     “There.  When you’ve finished your sandwich we’ll share that apple.”

 

     “It’s pretty, Heath.  Like a flower. Where’d you learn how to do that?”

 

     “Oh, like you, Miss Amber, I get around.”

 

     Amber’s green eyes followed Silas’s movements as he bustled around the kitchen beginning supper preparations.

 

     “Silas, are a you a slave?”

 

     The black man turned, his soft voice offering honest explanation.   “No, little one, Silas ain’t a slave no more.  A man by the name of Mr. Abraham Lincoln outlawed slavery, Miss Amber.  But Silas was a slave at one time way back when you was just a twinkle in your daddy’s eye.”

 

     “I don’t have a daddy, Silas.  I’m an orphan.”

 

     “Why, child, everyone has a daddy.”

 

     “Nope, not me.”  Amber said while eating around the crust of her bread. 

 

     Silas caught Heath’s wink.  “Whatever you say, miss.”

 

     “You said you were a slave, Silas.  How did you get away from the bad people that made you work for them?”

 

     “I ran away.  I ran all the way from Virginia clear to California. It took a lotta months of traveling it did.  Over a year.  And when I got here I stumbled onto Mr. Barkley’s land and asked him for work.”

 

     “You mean Heath?”

 

     Silas laughed.  “No, missy, not Mr. Heath.  Mr. Heath’s daddy, Tom Barkley.  I started working for Mr. Barkley when Mr. Nick wasn’t any older than you are now.  Mr. Jarrod was just a little boy then, too, and Miss Audra and Mr. Eugene weren’t born yet.”

 

     “Were you born yet, Heath?”

 

     “Yeah, I reckon I was, Amber.  But I didn’t live here then.”

 

     Heath’s answer caused Amber’s brow to furrow.  She was about to ask more questions when, from behind Heath’s back, she saw Silas shake his head at her and put a finger to his lips.  She wasn’t sure what was wrong, but understood she wasn’t to probe further regarding this subject.  She shifted her thoughts back to Nick.

 

     “Silas, was Nick as mean when you first came here as he is now?”