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Herding

We came up on pasture 5, the boys were getting the cows ready for the move. I heard Lloyd and Rip come up behind us.

"Pasture 7 is all good, no issues" said Ryan

"8's got some flooding from the creek, 7'll have to do" replied Lloyd

"Alright, let's get these cows moving. We've got more shit to do" yelled Rip

Moving cows was always a thrilling time for me every few weeks. I loved anything that allowed me to work outside, especially when it involved riding.  I start to think of how much I'll be working inside as a nurse; barley seeing sunlight throughout the day, especially with shift work. I then remind myself of how much I really do love helping others, being there for them in some of the worst moments of their lives and some of the best.

There's nothing like it. There's nothing like this.

We push the cows through the creek and I notice a small black cow by a the tree line behind us.

"Got a straggler!" I yelled as I turned to the direction of the cow. As I loped towards the tree line, I see a fairly young calf peeking out from behind a tree. Steering it back towards the herd, the calf jogs over to where the rest of the herd was heading and manages to cross the creek with little difficulty. I catch a glimpse of Lloyd and Rip looking in my direction with grins.

I start to cross the creek again and hear Lloyd say "Just like old times, never misses a beat that Pip"

I can't help but smile. I fix my ball cap due to the sun in my face and we carry on our way to pasture 7.

"So, applied anywhere yet?" Lloyd says

"No, that's what i'm doing tonight..." I reply

"Right" he says mischievously and we continue to herd the cows through the gate. Once they are all through, we head back to the ranch. 

Once we near the ranch, I notice a familiar car driving down the laneway. It quickly stops causing it to skid a few feet and a black haired man with a suit on starts eagerly walk in my direction.

"PIP!" he yells as his walk turns into a jog

"Jamie!" I yell in return as I push Daisy to a lope.

Once I reach the fence, I jump off and slide through the wooden rails to meet my brother. He wraps his arms around me and pulls my head into his chest. After a moment he lets out a sigh and pulls my head out to look at me.

"How was school, dad didn't tell me you were back. When did you get back?!" he rambled on while thrusting my head back into his chest.

"Just yesterday, don't worry J. I haven't seen Lee or Kayce yet either" I reply with a smile. Although I doubted he could understand what I said with my face against his chest.

"Hey now, I've been chasing cattle wrestlers" I hear

I turn to see my eldest brother Lee with a smile on his face and his arms open for a hug. As I accept a hug, I immediately regret it...I fell for his trap again. He puts me in a headlock and refuses to let go.

"Oh come on Lee, knock it off" I yell

I can just imagine his smile, knowing he's enjoying every minute of this torture. He's played this game for as long as I can remember.

"Did you hear something? I could swear someone said my name" Lee says

"No, no I didn't hear anything " replies Jamie

My mind racing, wanting out of this trap I use the one tactic I know would always make Lee hesitate. As I muffle up some tears and snuffle, I feel him release.

"Hey, hey what's going on? Was I too rough? I'm" he said as I cut him off by punching him in the thigh.

"Oh. Oh. Oh not fair" Lee says in agony as he holds his leg

"Jesus, my kids will never grow up?" Dad says as he stands on the porch

"I'm not involved" says Jamie

"Right Jamie, you could never do wrong" says Beth with a snarl as she closes her car door and starts to walk in our direction.

"That's enough already. It's your sister's first day home and you can't even try to get along, she's gonna leave us again if you keep it up" Dad yells

I turn to him and say "No daddy, this is why I could never leave again. Family. " as I smile, he does too.

"Well, come on. Kayce is bringing the wife and kid so we gotta act normal" dad says

We all look at each other and laugh. Lee puts on a confused face and yells "wait, we ain't normal?!"