Chapter 2
Rounding Up
The indigo night lightened at its edges when Tom Jenkins and his branding crew rode from the ranch on Pass Creek toward the Divide. The Divide was on the crest of the Jenkins rangeland which was a series of rolling hills covered with bunch grass. Between some of the hills were coulees, sometimes called draws if they weren t so deep. What trees stood at the bottom of a draw were juniper and wild berry. Millie rode at her father s side, and her four brothers and three cowboys from neighboring ranches spread out on each side of them. Tom, in his flinty style, gave everybody their orders: what coulees, corners, and creeks to check for cattle.
Earlier, when Millie saddled Banji, she threw the horseblanket on his back, and he stepped back in surprise. She cooed to him and straightened the blanket and used both arms to heft the saddle high enough to align with the blanket. In contrast, the men steadied their horse with one hand and threw the saddle onto the horse s back with the other.
Millie grabbed the left stirrup and tossed it over the saddle and reached under Banji s belly to pull the girth toward her. She was about to cinch the saddle when she noticed Banji puff up. Can t fool me. I know you don t want the cinch tight, she said, and led him around in a small circle.
Eli was already saddled and sauntered over to his sister to provide assistance.
Today you become a cowpuncher , sis, he said. Did old Banji swell up when you went to tighten the cinch? Millie nodded and smiled. If he remembers that trick, he should remember how to punch cattle. Good luck. Give your beloved pet a workout. He s getting fat.
When Millie was ready to mount, she moved Banji forward again, then grabbed the cantle and swung herself up. She was grateful he stood still. With the tips of her boots in the stirrups, she couldn t help remembering the warning her mother had once given her about not sliding the whole foot into the stirrup. If she fell off, she might not be able to remove her foot from the stirrup and could then be dragged to death. Millie had never forgotten that advice.
There was a chill in the air and shewas glad she wore a denim jacket, another loan from Nate, in addition to the trousers. This time she asked him. He let her know he appreciated being asked and said, Any time. Like all his brothers, he adored his bossy sister. They would do anything for her, as she would do for them. As she grew up, each one took a turn at being her best friend and right now it was Eli. But Nate had always been her long-time pardner in crim
