OverTime 03: Slipping (First 70 Chapters)

Chapter 16: Pumpkin Creek (Garrison)

Crossing a creek weren't dangerous like crossing a river. The biggest risk in a creek crossing came from steep banks--always a possibility, even on a good ford if there'd been rain. A hurt leg meant putting an animal down. To avoid that, Garrison and his drovers worked mightily across the day to spread the herd and keep the cattle from bunching or bullying each other into a stumble. That took some patience. The point riders likely had the lead steer a good four miles off by the time the drag finished fording forded Pumpkin Creek.

Garrison nodded satisfaction, to see the younger boys pushing the stragglers after the rest of the herd. Any day he did not lose an animal -- or a man -- was a decent day.

At least, it was until Cooper came sniffin' around.

"Happy anniversary," said his pard, all but laughing.

Garrison urged his grullo gelding across the creek and after the herd at a fast walk, giving the dusty drag wide berth.

Cooper followed, undeterred. "Been a week since you said vows, ain't it?"

"Weeks ain't anniversaries."

"You sure your bride thinks so?"

"If she don't, she should." He hoped. But talk of Elizabeth revived his dissatisfaction with the previous night's conversation. He had not understood her concerns. Could anybody? She could not sleep, except for when she could sleep. She could write to her grandmother, but he could not, because her grandmother could not reply. And nightmares about Chicago had her fearful of going home to Chicago, which she did not want to do anyhow.

Still, she had seemed so earnestly troubled that he wished he could ease her mind. A mother in the family way needed sleep, that was certain.

He resented inadequacy in himself, especially against delusions.

After perhaps a mile, easy on horseback and in Cooper's company, he ventured, "Thinks she's from the future."

"She is."

Some days, Garrison could not remember why he'd partnered up with this man--other than Cooper's genius, his way with people, his humor, and his annoying competence at almost everything he tried.

Other than the trust borne of walking through hell together, and taking turns dragging each other out of it.

Other than that. But trust didn't stop annoyance. "Won't help none, you encouraging her."

Cooper grinned. "If you think that gal needs any encouragement to carry a thought, you don't know her anywhere near well enough to be married to her."

"She ain't napping." As Garrison suspected, that solemnified Cooper quick enough. They'd both noted how tired the girl got, come afternoon. How neither had recognized her to be in a family way for so long hardly recommended their combined powers of observation. "Says she's scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Scared of nonsense." In fact, since he'd proven himself useless against his wife's fears, and Cooper was unlikely to do much work that afternoon anyway, Garrison pointed at him. "Fix it."

"Well now, I don't work for you, Boss." Cooper made the title sound like something to call an ugly runt dog. But he could not expect tact. Not after such long familiarity, when expediency should do.

"Claim to be her friend."

"Claim to be yours, too."

"Then fix it."

"Why can't you fix it?"

"I can't fix foolishness." Garrison eyed his partner. "Right up your alley."

"That part is true." As if he'd just been complimented, Cooper smiled up at the sky, enjoying the day, before noting, "I'm surprised she went to you first."

Garrison was surprised by it too. "Wants me to sit while she naps."

Cooper barked out a laugh. "Did she ask you to sprout wings and fly to Canada, while you're at it?"

Garrison had certainly chosen the right man to deal with foolery. Pleased to have the matter settled, he said, "You think Jorge forgot there's another herd dawdlin' ahead of us? I'd best slow him down."

"Uh huh." Cooper gave him an oddly unreadable look. "You just go deal with the point riders, and I'll go deal with your wife."

On the surface, that sounded like a good idea to Garrison. He nodded.

But then, watching Cooper veer off in the direction of the calf cart, he got an uncomfortable sensation in his chest.

It made no sense, that discomfort.

They'd crossed the creek just fine.