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He took Bandit’s reins and led him closer to the herd. They were yearlings, so while there were no big horns, they were skittish, but Bandit did okay.
He only shied away a time or two, but Percy didn’t want to push his luck. He tied his reins to the railing allowing him to simply get used to the cattle. He wasn’t about to ride him into a skittish herd of young cows and bull calves.
He didn’t fancy getting bucked off and trampled.
Des came over, limping across the yard to lean on the railing. The morning ride must’ve given his leg a workout. “You did good,” he said.
Percy felt a rush of pride. Praise coming from Des was a merit. “I don’t want to rush him too soon. If he gets bumped or startled, I’ll never get him near them again.”
Des gave a nod. “That’s right.”
“How long will they be in this yard for?”
“Coupla days. We’ll separate ’em and put the bull calves out in the southern paddock.”
Ah, right.
For breeding stock or for slaughter. It made sense.
Percy gave Bandit a scratch behind the ear. “Then he’ll have a few days to get used to them.”
Des gave a nod. “Go walk to the back of this lot and bring the cattle in. I’ll hold Bandit.”
Percy did that, and for a good while, they worked the cattle in and around Bandit. Though Percy got the feeling Des was giving him a lesson more than his horse, conditioning him to be around the livestock, but he loved it all the same.
They laughed a lot, despite the cold, and by the end of it, Percy felt a part of the team. As if he belonged here.
Robert came over, a little sheepish. “Hey, Percy,” he hedged. “How about I take Bandit for ya and you go and save dinner? Albie mentioned getting started on it and, uh, jeez... you’d be doin’ us all a great favour if you did the cooking. If you know what I mean. No disrespect to Albie at all—I’m grateful for any food, lemme tell ya. But there’s bein’ grateful, and then there’s bein’ grateful. If you know what I mean.”
Percy laughed and handed the reins over. “Be my guest. I like my damper chewable as much as the next man.”
“I will tell on both of you,” Des said with a laugh.
“You told me yourself that Percy’s cookin’ was ten times better than Albie’s,” Robert whisper-shouted at Des. “Don’t you back out on me now.”
Des hissed at him to shut up, but Percy laughed as he put his hands up. “I sure as hell ain’t gonna tell him. Your secret’s safe with me.” He took a few paces toward the house and stopped, turning back to them. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what you said about my porridge this morning.”
Robert patted his belly. “You know, I wasn’t even hungry by lunch time, so maybe it wasn’t so bad.”
Percy was still smiling when he headed inside. He hung his coat up and went into the washroom to scrub his hands. He found Albie in the kitchen, holding the butter as if he was entirely unsure what to do with it.
“You put some in the flour, yes?”
Percy laughed and took it from him. “Let me.”
Albie gave him a smile, studying him for a long moment. “You had a good afternoon.”
“I did. Great, even. Never would have guessed Des has a sense of humour.”
Albie chuckled and his smile lingered a few seconds before fading. “I miss being out there. I understand things need to be done in the home, and I went over more of my father’s ledgers. Not sure I’m any the wiser for it, but seeing how he did things helps.”
“You’ll get on top of it,” Percy said as he folded the dough. “In no time flat. You’re smarter than you think.”
Albie’s smile was rueful, a little sad even. He gave a pointed nod to the pot on the stove. “Probably only a day left in the stew. Will have to start one from scratch tomorrow. We haven’t hung a beast in a while, so I’m not sure what I’ll make it from.” He sighed. “I guess we’ll find an old cow, one that won’t make us much at market. Should keep us fed for a while.”
Percy perked up at that. “Ever had rabbit stew?”
Albie shook his head. “Not for years.”
