Thursday, March 09, 2017

Disrupted: Day 8

Word Count: 48,033

Summary of Events:
Ezra, seeing the mare he'd gotten for his boys misbehaving, did some work with her and decided that more was yet in order to get her to realise who was in charge. Gwendolen thought about what she ought to do for work and became convinced giving Ezra one more try was in order. Ezra and his children were just finishing breakfast when Gwendolen arrived; he argued with her for a bit before one of his fellow hands interrupted them with news that some of the cattle had been rustled, with Gwendolen offering the wagon for use . . .

Excerpt of the Day:
"Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his shoulders before pulling the right rein and starting the horse off. A shrill whinny from the little mare watching them through the fence reminded him of her.
With a sigh, Ezra reset the brake and passed her the reins before going and getting the mare. She'd need to go down to the yard and stay there with the other horses so she got taken care of.
He tied her beside Lachlan, but as far away as he could before climbing aboard again and starting off. He pushed the fine dark bay harnessed to the wagon to go at a canter and they were at the Lloyd's in short order.
Mrs. Lloyd was waiting for them, and looked more than a little surprised when she saw the wagon pulling in.
Ezra lifted Jonathan down and took Sarah into his arms before heading around the wagon to the other side, where he found Jeremiah untying the mare.
"What are you doing?" Ezra asked.
"Can't she stay here with us?" Jeremiah asked.
"You can't work with her alone," Ezra replied.
"William can help us," Jeremiah said. "You taught him."
Ezra looked up at Mrs. Lloyd. "Just wait a minute."
He walked over to Mrs. Lloyd.
"The boys want to keep their horse here," Ezra said. "She needs groundwork."
"Oh, I'm sure William would love to help them, it'll be fine, after all, we've got plenty of grass to go around," Mrs. Lloyd said.
"Where do you want her?" Ezra asked.
"The pen beside the barn will be fine," Mrs. Lloyd replied.
"Put her in the pen beside the barn!" Ezra called to Jeremiah before going to pass Sarah to Mrs. Lloyd.
"No!" Sarah cried, her arm fastening tight about Ezra's neck.
"I need to go Sarah," Ezra said softly. "I'll be back soon, okay?"
"No Papa," she whimpered.
Ezra sighed and held her close. "I need to go."
He startled at an embrace about his waist and looked down to see Jonathan. He rubbed Jonathan's shoulder and Jonathan let go. Jeremiah then appeared and the same exchange was done.
Ezra then pried Sarah's arm's off his neck, kissed her forehead gently, and passed her to Mrs. Lloyd.
"Papa!" Sarah wailed.
Ezra felt torn. He didn't want to leave, but he had to leave, after all, rustled cattle was a serious thing, and it wasn't something that could be predicted. He turned away from Sarah, grimacing at the sound of her cries.
Untying Lachlan from the wagon, Ezra putt his foot in the stirrup and grabbed the pommel and cantle.
Emotion suddenly seized hold of him and he paused a moment, pinching his tongue against the gum ridge behind his upper teeth with his lower, while working to steady his breathing and restrain his tears.
Once he'd gotten himself under control he swung into the saddle and looked at Sarah, who was resisting Mrs. Lloyd's efforts to console her, then turned Lachlan and slapped his long reins against Lachlan's hindquarters, setting his gelding off at a full gallop toward the ranch yard."

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