Continuing story of our guys in the west. Hopefully, this will bring a smile to your face.

Our very, very special thanks go out to Melanie Joan Riley for beta-ing this for us. (We could see the forest for the trees.) You are the greatest, Melanie!

Wyoming Territory, mid-March, 1874

Chu Wa placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of Justin and turned away to fill his milk glass.

Paddy sat in his chair at the head of the table engrossed in a Mexican newspaper he'd just received from his grandfather.

"Two, hijito¹."

Justin jumped, dropping the spoonful of sugar back in the sugar bowl. He glanced up guiltily into the stern face of his guardian. "But, Paddy, the bin is full. . ."

"We're not going to town for another month. That has to last us."

Justin hazarded a pout.

"Master Justin," Chu Wa said, setting the glass on the table next to the child's bowl. "Would you like me to make a batch of cookies this afternoon?"

The child brightened, pout immediately forgotten. "Cookies?"

"Chu Wa, you'll spoil him," Paddy admonished gently.

"I can make a batch of vanilla sugar cookies, also, Master Paddy."

The rancher hesitated, two pairs of eyes watching him. "Well. . .he has been very good lately," he said thoughtfully.

"Very, very good, Paddy," Justin corrected, solemnly.

"Except when it comes to sweets."

Justin frowned slightly, then hung his head.

Choate laughed. "Are you coming with me to scout the north pastures?"

"Can I?" The child brightened, looking back up at him.

"That means you'll have to do all your chores once we get back." Choate folded the paper, putting it aside.

Justin made a noise, stopped immediately by the look on Paddy's face. "Yes, sir," he moaned. Picking up his spoon, he began eating his breakfast.

"And I will have the cookies done by dinnertime," Chu Wa said, turning back to the stove.

~~~

Justin sat in the saddle, his back against the big man's chest. His riding lessons were progressing well, but Paddy still didn't like him riding alone. Not just yet. Justin didn't really mind, although he'd never admit that to his guardian. He felt very safe and happy nestled against him like this.

"You all right, hijito?" He asked, the child had begun to squirm a little. "Bottom still not use to the saddle?"

"Paddy!" Justin wailed, completely embarrassed.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'll bet Blair doesn't have a problem."

"He's been riding longer than you have. It'll get better."

They rode in silence a few moments.

"You won't tell them, will you, Paddy?" Justin whispered.

The big man hugged his ward tightly back against his chest. "Never, chiquito²." He kissed his temple. "It'll be our secret."

He smiled as he felt the child finally relax.

***

Justin anxiously eyed the elaborate table setting, his mouth watering at the tantalizing smells coming from the kitchen.

"Why can't we eat yet, Paddy?" he asked, trying not to whine.

"Our guests haven't arrived, chiquito," his guardian answered absently as he straightened his string tie in the mirror. "It would be rude to start without them."

Justin sighed dramatically, knowing it would be useless to continue the argument, and took up a vigil by the window. His stomach growled. Riding the range, checking on the stock and land was hard work! He knew he could eat a whole cow all by himself.

He squinted into the fading sunlight, not sure if he was seeing what he wanted to see, or if it was real. His hopes confirmed, he turned back to the room and shouted, "They're here!"

~~~

"Now, you mind your manners, Little Bit. We're going to be guests of Mr. Choate's for a couple of nights while I help him around the ranch. I want you to be on your best behavior and stay out of trouble."

"I will, Papa," Blair said, distractedly. His mouth fell open when he saw the grand house in front of them. "Wow, they sure have a big house for just the two of them."

"It was built by Mr. Choate's father, and it's not just the two of them. They have a hired man, as well. I think Choate said his name was Chu Wa."

Blair craned his head to look up at his father. "Chu Wa? He's Chinese? Maybe he can teach me about China and learn me some words?"

"Maybe, if you ask nice, he will. Just don't make a pest of yourself with questions." Jim tousled the curly hair to lighten the admonishment.

This was the first visit to their neighbor's home on a social call. Yes, Jim had come many times over the years to sell horses to the father, Sir Oliver Choate, but the aloof Ellison had called only a few "friend" in those years.

He hoped to change that now, with the son.

Blair spied the small herd of cattle near the watering hole. He pointed and gestured wildly with his hands. "Look! I can hardly wait to try my new lariat out on a real cow!"

"Whoa there, pardner," Jim laughed. "I think you better stick to fence posts and sawhorses for awhile yet."

"Awww, what's the use of havin' it if I can't use it?" Blair pouted.

"No. This isn't a toy, it's a tool. Leave the man's stock alone."

Blair was all too familiar with that tone of voice. There was only one correct answer. "Yes, sir."

He surveyed the buildings ahead. The Choate ranch was much bigger than their spread. Blair bounced excitedly in the saddle. "Oh! There's Justin at the gate."

"You want to run ahead?"

In answer, Blair wiggled out of Jim's lap, down Sentry's side and ran to meet Justin. Jim just shook his head.

He followed on Sentry at a walk, giving the boys time to greet each other. The two imps sat on top of the gate waiting for him. He pulled Sentry along side their perch.

"Want a ride, boys?"

With Jim's help, the two grinning children climbed on the mighty horse. Blair riding in front and Justin riding behind, arms around Jim's waist. The rancher leaned forward to close the gate.

"Hold on back there, Justin," Jim called before encouraging Sentry into a trot up to the porch. Jim tipped his hat to Choate as his host reached out to lift Justin down. Jim dismounted, pulling Blair down after him.

"Thanks for the Welcome Wagon, Choate," Jim said, shaking the rancher's hand.

"Thanks for your help. I've got a stall in the barn for your horse and the guest room is made up for you. I'll have Chu Wa put out some warm water so you can wash before supper."

"That'd be great. Blair, take our things up to the room and change for supper. Make sure to scrub your hands real good."

"Aw, Papa, I'm not dirty. I washed before we left home."

"Well, you smell like horse now," Jim said, turning Blair to the door. "Scoot," he ordered mildly with a pat to his son's bottom to get him moving.

"Justin, show Blair to the guest room."

Justin began to comply but stopped at the front door. Turning back to his guardian he asked hopefully, "Can't he sleep in my room, Paddy?"

Both boys put on their most pleading expressions while Blair bounced lightly on the balls of his feet.

"He'd have to sleep on the floor, chiquito."

"That's all right!" Justin said, pleased that Blair nodded enthusiastically in support. "It'll be like camping, Paddy."

"I like camping! Papa and me've slept on the ground before! It'll be fun!"

Justin turned to Blair, warming to the idea even more. "We can tell each other stories and --"

"Yeah!" Blair interrupted, his voice rising in excitement as he raised his arms to imitate a ghost. "Scary stories and--"

"And we can make shadow monsters on the wall and--"

Paddy threw his arms up in a mock surrender. He laughed, "All right. I give. Ellison?"

"Fine by me," Jim responded, amused by the whole exchange. He'd try to remember to pull Choate aside later to make a bet on how long it would take the boys to come get them to check the room for monsters and ghosts after scaring each other with wild tales.

The boys scampered into the house while Jim and Paddy headed for the barn.

~~~~

No matter how many times Jim saw them, the Choate stables always reminded him of his home in Virginia. Walking through the huge double-doors into the clean, spacious, and well ventilated interior, he half-expected Ethan, his family's head stableman, to appear out of one of the many stalls lining the walls leading one of his father's prized horses.

"Didn't your father first try his hand at horses, Choate?" Jim paused, then added, "If you don't mind my asking?"

"No, I don't mind." Paddy picked up a straw of hay and twirled it between his fingers. "My father made a better sailor than a horse breeder, I'm afraid."

"So you raise cattle instead?" Jim asked, amused.

Choate smiled in return. "We could never see eye-to-eye on the kind of stock to raise. He wanted Texas long-horns. I leaned towards the Herefords."

A low mewling interrupted their conversation.

"What was that?" Jim asked, pushing his Stetson back from his forehead.

Choate's smile broadened as he motioned Ellison to follow him. In the back of the barn, in a stall all his own, was several hundred pounds of the oddest looking bull he'd ever seen. Stark white face, dull red body, big dark eyes. One horn stood out proudly while the other had been broken in half.

"What in the name of. . ."

Choate laughed aloud as he reached over the short gate to scratch behind the giant's ear. "This is Lord Percival. My grandfather gave him to me on my twelfth birthday. Percy, meet our neighbor, Jim Ellison. He and his son'll be visiting for a few days."

As if understanding the words, 'Percy' mooed his hello, ducking his head as if nodding.

"Percy was a fine breeder in his day." Choate reached into a barrel behind him and withdrew several carrots. The huge bull's eyes rolled as the mammoth tongue darted out to swipe the treat from the rancher's hand. "But, I'm afraid he's gotten too old now. Haven't you, Percy, old man? His legs are not so good, and he's nearly blind."

"You talk to him like he's a pet!" Jim said, astonished at their antics.

Choate laughed again. "I raised Percy from a calf. My grandfather had him shipped all the way from England." He gave the animal a final pat. "I've been searching everywhere for another bull to replace him."

Ellison shook his head as he began bedding down Sentry in the offered stall. Choate, he thought, you are an unusual man.

~~~

Blair eyes were wide, taking in everything he saw as Justin led him up the stairs to the guest room. His eyes got even bigger upon seeing the room. Persian carpets padded the hardwood floor. A mahogany bureau, writing desk and a beautifully carved bed furnished the room that was nearly the size of his whole cabin!

"Wow, Justin," he exclaimed, turning in a circle. "If this is the guest room, what's your room like?"

"This used to be my room. Mine's a little bigger now." Justin blushed. "It's Paddy old room, the one he had when he was my age. He offered it to me when we first got here, but I said no."

With furrowed brow, hands raised to the roof, Blair blurted out, "Why would you do a stupid thing like that?"

Justin only shrugged. "I was sore at him."

"But you changed your mind," Blair said, hoping his new friend wasn't crazy after all.

"Yeah. There's not much furniture in it, though. He'd given it to Chu Wa. He's going to get me a new bed. I just have to be a little patient."

"Me, too. Papa says he's going to build me my own room someday. I just gotta wait a bit."

~~~~

Less than thirty minutes later, they were all seated at the dining room table ready to eat. Paddy sat at the head with Jim to his right and Justin to his left. Blair sat next to his father. Paddy gave Justin a reproachful glare as the boy began reaching for a roll before grace had been said. Justin halted mid-reach and, as Paddy had taught him, clasped his hands before him so Paddy could begin the blessing.

"Padre bendecido, gracias por esta comida, y por poder compartirla con mi familia y amigos. Por favor, cuida de todos ellos y mantielos seguros."

After the amens were said, Chu Wa served the soup.

"What language was that?" Blair asked while watching the Chinese man move gracefully around the table filling bowls.

"Blair..."

"It's all right, Ellison," Choate said, smiling indulgently at the inquisitive boy. "That was Spanish, Blair. My mother was from Mexico."

"Oh. What's it mean?"

"It's an old Spanish blessing. Blessed Father, thank you for this meal, and for my family and friends to share it. Please watch over them all and keep them safe."

Blair furrowed his brow. "It's prettier in Spanish."

Choate covered a chuckle by drinking his wine. Jim threw Blair a disapproving glance.

Blair muttered under his breath, "Well, it is," before taking great interest in eating his soup.

As soon as they finished, Chu Wa cleared away the soup bowls and brought out the main course and side dishes. Paddy and Jim fixed their plates then began filling the boys'.

Both boys watched with great interest what was being put on their plates, and in what amounts. Blair frowned when his father put a dollop of some kind of cooked greens on his plate. He looked suspiciously at some of the other unknown dishes the elder Ellison spooned up before setting the full plate in front of him.

"Wuo bu yao³, Chu Wa," Justin said as the older man tried to place a spoonful of a dish on his plate, and turned to his guardian for help. "Paddy, I don't like the paella. Can I have two egg rolls instead?" he bargained. "I ate my soup."

"Justin. . ." Choate said warningly.

"But he made it with fish, Paddy. Please! I don't like it with fish."

"Justin, what did we talk about before?"

The child looked quickly over at their guests, then back at his guardian. "I'm not trying to be naughty, Paddy. If I eat everything else?" He waited. "Please, Paddy?"

Choate felt himself weaken under the woeful gaze. "Eat just a spoonful, chiquito."

Justin frowned, but held up his plate.

"I made chim quay, young master," Chu Wa said quietly as he placed a small spoonful of the paella on the child's plate.

"With chicken?" Justin brightened immediately.

"Shi a⁴." He smiled as he spooned from the dish. "I had to use the big green beans, it will take a long time for the broccoli to grow."

"This is fine, Chu Wa." Justin's face was all smiles. "Xiaxia⁵."

"Bu ke qim⁶," the older man replied, both bowing to each other.

Blair put his fork in the pile of noodles, vegetables and chicken on his plate. He held his full fork up, noodles spilling over the sides. "What did you say this is?"

Justin says, "That's chim quay."

"Oh." Blair said, a bit dubious, but put the full fork in his mouth and chewed. "Ummm, that's good!"

"Try the eggrolls. They have a lot of vegetables in them, Chu Wa likes to cook with a lot of vegetables, but they've got meat in them, too. They're good." He pushed a small bowl nearer to Blair's hand. "Especially if you dip them in this."

Blair eyed it critically. "What is it?"

"It is sweet and sour sauce, young master," Chu Wa said, placing another dish on the table.

Choate clarified, "My grandfather sent ten sacks of oranges. I'm afraid they don't keep very well. Chu Wa had to put up them up as marmalade, and sweet and sour."

By then, Blair had a mouth full of egg roll and sauce and was smiling from ear to ear.

Jim followed his son's lead. "I agree. Chu Wa, you are an excellent cook."

Just then, Chu Wa placed a tortilla on Blair's plate. The boy's eyebrows arched. "Mr. Chu Wa, you made your pancakes with bad flour," he said innocently.

"Blair!" Jim said sternly.

The child looked up from his plate, startled. "But, Papa. They're blue!" He shook his head and explained patiently to all present, "Pancakes aren't supposed to be blue."

Choate laughed. "These are, Blair. And they're called 'tortillas,' not pancakes. And they're made with blue corn flour."

Lifting the edge of the tortilla with his fork, still suspicious his leg was being pulled, Blair said, "Corn isn't blue."

"This corn is. My grandfather grows it on his farm. He sent us 20 sacks."

"I got to help Chu Wa make the tortillas," Justin chimed in proudly.

"Sí, chiquito, now get your elbows off the table." Paddy smiled indulgently at the child. "You should have seen them when they first tried, Ellison. It was a surprise for me. Making food from my native country. Chu Wa had some idea how it was done." Choate laughed. "I came home and the kitchen was a disaster. Not to mention both of the cooks."

Chu Wa 'harrumped.' "But I learned."

"Sí, Chu Wa. Muy bien⁷. Most excellent," Choate said, lifting his glass to salute the small man.

Blair poked at something else on his plate. "What's--"

"Enough questions, Little Bit. Eat."

"Yes, sir," Blair said while inspecting the rest of his filled plate.

"So, Choate, you going to the stock show in Cheyenne at the end of the month?"

"Yes, I hope to buy a replacement for Percy. I've been thinking about introducing an Angus--"

Bored with the adult conversation, the boys began making faces at each other across the table, each one trying to out do the other. They became so engrossed in their game that they didn't notice the silence.

"That's enough, Justin. You know better than that." His guardian's unexpected scolding made Justin jump.

Blair giggled until his father hissed in his ear. "Blair, we're guests. Keep that up, young man, and you can be excused from the table." Jim sat up straight to address their host, embarrassed by Blair's behavior. "I'm sorry, Choate. It's the excitement. A new place and all--"

The rancher glared meaningfully at Justin. "I understand perfectly, Ellison. Seems like he isn't the only one."

After that, the boys kept their eyes on their plates, eating quietly. The affable mood spoiled, the men ate in silence, too.

Justin reached across the table for the roll basket.

Choate, catching the movement out of the corner of his eye, scolded, "Justin! Don't reach. Ask for it to be passed." Choate reached for the basket to pass it, continuing his admonishment. "Honestly, little boy, sometim--" He left off his scolding when, in reaching for the basket, he knocked over his wine glass. He quickly dabbed at the spreading red stain on the lace tablecloth with his napkin.

"Here, let me help," Jim said trying to mop up the spill inching his way. He reached past the gravy dish, but the ladle caught his cuff and flipped out, adding brown stains to the red. Justin and Blair stared at their elders with open mouths and wide eyes. They watched the pink in each man's face grow to red. All of a sudden, Choate let out a hearty laugh and Jim joined in. The boys relaxed and added their giggles to the noise.

Chu Wa came from the kitchen to see what the ruckus was about. He all but flew back into his kitchen, returning with a wash cloth. Trying to get his laughter under control, Chu Wa's glares not helping one bit, Choate tried to console the old man. "I'm sorry, antiguo, I didn't watch what I was doing. Leave it. It can soak later." After Chu Wa left, muttering something in Chinese that sent Justin back into a giggle fit. Choate pulled himself together. "What did he say?" he asked Justin.

That made Justin break into peals of laughter. "He said, 'Sometimes you men are worst than us little boys!'" His face sobered. "He says because you ruined the tablecloth, he's not giving you dessert."

Blair leaned forward. "What was for dessert?"

"Chu Wa baked cookies. He makes the best cookies in the world."

Choate slid from the table. "Excuse me," he said, heading for the kitchen. "Chu Wa, it was an accident. As soon as supper's over, we'll wash the stain out--"

The door closed behind him.

~~~

"Blair, I think you've had enough cookies," Jim admonished gently as his son reached for yet another sugary treat while still trying to swallow the last.

The boy washed down the cookie with a big gulp of milk so he could respond. "But they're so good. Please, just one more?"

"One, and then you need to get to bed."

"But we get to stay up a little and tell stories," Justin chipped in, looking to his guardian for support.

"That's right, chiquito. For a little while, so you better get a move on, too."

The boys quickly finished their dessert, made a quick trip to the outhouse and charged upstairs to get ready for bed. They changed into their nightshirts, and arranged blankets and pillows on the floor. Justin brought the lamp from his bedside down to rest between their makeshift beds.

~~~

"That was a stupid story," Blair groused.

"It was not," Justin countered.

"Skeletons can not get up and walk."

"Can so!"

"And you've seen them?" the younger child countered.

"Laolao told me so."

This was a word Justin had taught him earlier. "Well. . ." Blair hedged, reluctant to call Justin's grandmother a liar. "I've never seen one."

"I've never seen a dragon either," The older boy accused, referring to the story Blair had told.

"Justin, Blair," Paddy said sharply as he opened the door and looked in. "¡Duermanse, ahora! O, les dare a ambros unas nalgadas.⁸"

"Yes, Paddy," Justin squeaked as he dove for the covers.

"Yes, sir." Blair said, doing the same.

Choate closed the door firmly.

"Did he say what I think he said?" Blair whispered softly.

"Uh huh," Justin whispered back.

Both boys sighed softly, wondering how clearly that threat could come through, even in a foreign language.

~~~

Choate retrieved his wine glass from the mantle.

"Were they asleep?" Ellison asked from his perch by the window.

He chuckled. "Hardly."

"How long you think before something scares them enough to send them racing down here?"

Paddy looked out the window. "Wind's picking up. Not long."

"Care to wager on that?"

"All right. Loser buys the other a beer the next time we're both in town?"

"Bet. I'll say they're down here in five minutes."

"Fifteen."

The two men shook on it.

~~~

"Papa?"

Both men looked up at the softly spoken word, then looked at each other. Leave it to their imps to split the difference in their times.

Blair stood in the study door, Justin, half-hidden in the darkness of the foyer behind him.

"You're supposed to be asleep, Little Bit," Jim gently scolded.

The wind outside howled louder and Blair's eyes got rounder. He whispered, "There's a hand outside the window upstairs."

"Blair--"

"Paddy, I saw it, too," Justin said as he stepped closer to his companion.

Choate shook his head and said firmly, but gently, "Boys, there's no hand outside the window."

"Yes, there is!" Justin wailed.

Blair had crossed the room to his father's side and wrapped his arms as far around his middle as he could. "Can we stay down here with you?"

Jim looked at Choate and winked. He pried the little arms from around him before picking the boy up. "Come on, imp. Let's go see this 'hand.'"

Paddy took Justin by the hand and followed Jim up the stairs, wondering what he had in mind.

Once inside the room, Jim put Blair on the floor. The boy stayed close to his side until Jim went towards the scraping sound outside the window. Jim motioned for Choate to join him while pulling his pen knife from his pocket. The boys, still wide-eyed, stayed close to the doorway.

"So, there's a hand outside the window, boys?" The boys nodded and jumped as the scraping sound was heard again.

"It's the hand! It's the hand!" Blair cried.

Jim opened the window. "Cover me, Choate, I'm going out there."

"Don't do that! Paddy! Pull him back," Justin warned, as Jim stuck his upper body out the open window.

"Papa! Don't!" Blair yelled, clutching at Justin's arm.

Suddenly Jim began to shake and writhe. "Choate! Help! It's got me!" As requested, Paddy took hold of Jim's jacket and pretended to be pulling with all his might.

"I'm trying, Ellison! Let go of him, you demon!"

The boys screamed and Choate 'pulled' Ellison back inside. Jim looked winded and kept one arm behind his back.

"Well, that was a close one. Thanks, Choate." Jim replied, clapping his rescuer on the shoulder. He looked somberly at the two little boys still holding on to each other, their eyes like saucers. "But at least I got it!" Jim pulled his hand from behind his back while the boys held their breath. Jim laughed, and Choate joined in, when he showed them the small branch he'd cut from the tree that was scraping the side of the house.

The two sets of wide eyes became narrow slits, and two little fists rested on two pairs of slender hips.

"That's not funny. . .Not funny at all," Two little pouty voices said.

A pair of strong arms enveloped each child, diffusing their embarrassment and anger over being tricked.

Paddy lifted his imp and carried him back to his bedroll. "We were just teasing, hijito." He turned just as Jim slid Blair under the covers across from him. "What if Jim and I tell you both stories of something that scared us when we were young?"

Justin looked at him cynically. "You were never scared."

Blair eyed his father. "Were you, Papa?"

Jim ruffled his curls. "Sure, Little Bit. Everybody gets scared. Why I remember a time when me and my brother Steven heard a moaning from a hollow. Steven swore it was a ghost."

Both boys' eyes went wide.

"Wh. . .what was it, Papa?"

"Turned out, it was the cow we were supposed to have locked up in the barn. She got out and got tangled in a bush. Our father was less than happy about the whole thing. We ate standing up for days."

"And what about you, Paddy?" Justin asked.

The rancher blushed. "I remember mi abuelita was afraid of mice. I never could understand this as a child. I loved them. I brought her one one day and she nearly screamed the house down. When mi abueleo found out, that night, he put a long green stick in my bed. I think they heard me yell in the next county. I've never been very fond of snakes since then and I didn't bring any more mice to my grandmother." He gave his ward a quick kiss on his forehead. "Now, good night." Paddy stood and waited in the doorway for Jim.

"Sweet dreams, Little Bit. You'll be just fine," Jim assured, bussing Blair's forehead also.

The men left, leaving the door open so light from the hallway could spill in. The wind still howled outside. Both boys listened, eyes wide open.

"Mama said bad things can't get you if you pull the covers up around you in bed," Blair whispered in the dark, his blankets firmly around his shoulders.

"But we're not in bed," Justin whispered back. There was a long pause before he continued. "But we could be."

Blair took the hint and grabbed his pillow before following Justin in a sprint for the small cot in the corner of the room. They both wiggled around under the blankets for a few minutes to get comfortable, before drifting off to sleep, covers over their heads.

~~~

Choate and Ellison were up before dawn to feed the stock and make preparations to mend the sheep pens. When they finally came in for breakfast, Chu Wa informed them the boys were still asleep.

Choate opened the door slowly and stepped into Justin's room, Ellison right behind him. They shared a smile at the sight of their boys sleeping like a pile of puppies on Justin's cot. Gently they shook at the tangled mass.

"Justin. Chiquito, it's after seven, you need to get up."

"Blair. Shake a leg, Little Bit. We've got things to do."

Slowly the boys untangled themselves and got dressed, muttering all the while, before heading downstairs to breakfast.

"Hurry up and eat, boys. There are chores waiting," Choate said before finishing the last of his coffee. Jim waited for him by the back door.

Justin grumbled, "There are always chores waiting."

"Well, today you have some help." Jim gave Blair a knowing glare before the boy could issue his own protest.

"Hey! That means we can get them done twice as fast and have more time to play!" Blair said. "I could show you my new lariat. I'm getting pretty good. Aren't I, Papa?"

"Yes, you're improving, Little Bit. Now eat your breakfast. I'll leave your rope in the barn for after the chores."

Jim and Paddy left their boys wolfing down their breakfast to head for the barn to hitch up the wagon before leaving.

"You taught Blair to rope already?"

"Had to. He saw me using one and wouldn't let up pestering me until I showed him." Jim held up a hand to ward off the admonishment on indulgence he felt coming. "I know, I know, but he does need to learn and he's doing pretty good." At Choate's expression, he snorted. "Well, you try saying no when he turns those big, bright blue eyes on you. No, sir. I've learned to pick my battles of will. Roping isn't one of them."

Choate laughed and slapped Ellison on the back. "I understand all too well, amigo mio. I'm sure I'll be showing another inquisitive young man how to lasso very soon. In fact, I think I was Blair's age when one of my grandfather's men first taught me."

"That so? I don't remember how old I was. I've only shown Blair the basics. How to get a loop going, how to throw it out to what you're aiming at. He's only practiced on sawhorses and fence posts, mainly." Jim scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "The other day, he tried to put a rope over Brownie, our wagon horse, but the big galoot just side-stepped him every time."

Choate chuckled softly. "Sounds like a pretty smart horse."

"Mainly he's stubborn. I think he's part mule. So, Choate," Jim began as he got his reata and began to twirl it, "you pretty good with this?"

Choate took another rope off a peg and got a large circle going in no time. He smiled. "First one to lose his loop buys the first round."

"You're on."

~~~~

The boys quickly ate their oatmeal and headed outside to the barn to join Paddy and Jim. They came to a halt, Blair almost knocking Justin down, as their guardians came into view. The men were showing off with their reatas. Jim had a big loop going over his head. He brought it down, staying within its circle, then raised it back above his head. Paddy also had a wide loop going. He swung it out to his side before brining it close, jumping through the rope's circle and snapping it to the opposite.

"I want to do that! Teach me, Paddy. Teach me." Justin jumped up and down excitedly.

"Me, too. Me, too," Blair chimed in bouncing along side his friend.

Soon both boys had wobbly circles spinning over their heads, and wide grins on their faces.

Blair threw his rope out and caught the edge of the saw horse. "See, Justin. It's easy."

The older boy threw his young friend a look and let go of his rope. It fell short of the target by two feet. He frowned and looked up at the man who clapped his shoulder.

"That's all right, chiquito. It's only your first try," Paddy consoled, and patted Justin's shoulder before turning to leave. "You can practice more after you get those chores done. We're leaving now. Behave."

Justin and Blair sat on the gate as the wagon made its way down the dirt road.

"Bye, Paddy."

"Bye, Papa."

The boys waved until the wagon was out of sight.

Blair slapped Justin's arm and hopped down from the gate. "Come on. Let's get those chores done so we can practice with the ropes."

"Yeah, with a little more practice I'll be able to beat you," Justin said, jumping down to join his friend.

With a snort, Blair replied, "In a pig's eye!"

"Will to."

"Will not!"

And on the great debate went while the chores got done, in a fashion. By late morning they were back with their reatas, practicing with a vengeance.

Blair ran in a zig-zag pattern across the yard to the barn. Too late he zigged, when he should have zagged and felt Justin's rope around his shoulders. His momentum, combined with a tug from behind, sent his legs out from under him. His arms pinned to his sides, he fell on his bottom. The indignity of the situation and the laughter from his capture spurred his anger.

"That's not fair, Justin Evers! I didn't pull you down when I roped you!"

Justin tried to suppress his giggles as he loosened the rope from around the younger boy. "No, but you tried to. I'm just better at it than you are." Blair tried to glare back at his smug friend, but had to concede he was right, at least to himself. Justin had caught on very quickly. "Well, I don't want to be the steer anymore."

"But, that's not fair. You got to rope me five times! I've only had one turn!"

"I don't care," Blair said rising to his feet. He rubbed his bottom. "It hurts. I don't want to play anymore."

Justin recoiled his reata in jerky movements and let his exasperation show in his voice. "Fine. We'll find something else to rope."

"What?! We've already lassoed every fence post, barrel and sawhorse we could find." Blair eyed Justin speculatively. "Say, you don't suppose Mr. Chu Wa would--"

His companion shook his head. "No! Definitely not."

A low mooing coming from the back of the stables caught the boys' attention. With a glance at each other, a plan was formed. They walked quietly to the back to Percy's stall.

Blair's jaw fell open at the sight of the mammoth bull before him. He'd never been this close to a real bull before. Percy bawled again.

"Okay, Percy, but just a couple," Justin said, reaching into a barrel and withdrawing two carrots. "Here, Blair, you can feed him, too." Justin put a carrot in Blair's hand when the younger boy shook his head, and held out the one in his hand to the slobbering giant. "He won't bite." Justin had barely gotten the words out when a long tongue grabbed the treat from his hand. The carrot vanished into the great maw without a crunch being heard.

Blair timidly stepped forward and raised his carrot up to the wall of the pen. Again the long grey tongue snaked out and the carrot was taken from his hand. Blair laughed. "He's fast. Can we feed him some more?"

"Maybe later. I want to try something else first."

Justin stood back from the pen a few feet and swung his reata above his head. He let it fly and pouted when it missed the old bull's horn. He and Blair tried several more times to get a rope around the elderly bull's good horn, but the animal turned and shifted in his pen, occasionally emitting an indignant bellow.

"I don't think he likes this, Justin."

"Just one more. I know I can do it." Justin concentrated and sent his rope out again. He let out a whoop when it snared its target, finally.

Percy didn't seem to share the boy's enthusiasm. He threw his head, trying to dislodge the offending rope hanging from his horn, his actions snatching the rope from Justin's hands. The boys scrambled to snag the end of the rope before it slithered out of reach, but the bull turned to the back of his stall, trailing the reata after him.

For several minutes, the boys stood watching the reata sway gently from Percy's horn. Justin was the first to come out of his stupor. He grabbed a handful of carrots from the barrel and tried to entice the bull to come closer. Blair followed suit, but the bull had had more than enough attention from the two little boys, and he kept his distance.

"What are we gonna do?" Blair asked, not liking the consequences of getting caught that ran through his mind if they got caught.

"I don't know. Quiet and let me think," Justin shushed, equally unpleasant thoughts running through his head.

Before another plan could be thought up, they heard the sound of a wagon approaching. They ran to the stable door and peered around it, groaning at the sight of their guardians driving into the yard.

"We're gonna get it," Blair sighed in defeat.

Justin shot the younger boy a look. "They haven't seen him yet. Come on, we have to keep them away until we think of a plan."

With a nod, Blair followed Justin out to greet the men. Blair ran to his father when he leapt from the wagon seat.

"Papa!" he shouted as he was lifted into welcoming arms. "You're back early."

"We finished up quicker than we thought so we got to talking and decided to take you boys on a picnic. How'd you like that?"

"Great! Can we go fishing, too?"

"Not today, Little Bit. Another time."

Choate tied the horses to the corral fence, letting them have access to the water trough. Justin gave him a big hug when he was finished.

"I missed you," he said into the big man's stomach.

Paddy just chuckled and stroked the soft, black hair of his ward. "I was only gone the morning, chiquito, but I missed you, too. How does that picnic sound?"

"Okay."

"Get your chores finished?"

"Yes, Paddy."

"Good. Why don't you boys run up to the house and ask Chu Wa to pack us a basket." The boys were off for the house before Paddy had finished his sentence. He turned to Jim. "I want to show you that creek I want to damn up at the other end of the property. We can take the wagon part of the way, but after that we'll need to walk."

"Good idea. The way those boys ran, I'd say they need to burn off some more steam. A hike's the perfect thing for that."

Twenty minutes later the four were on their way to one of Paddy's favorite spots on the ranch. It was back in the hills along a small creek.

Jim looked across the meadow that ran parallel to a stream and jutted up to the edge of an orchard. "This is beautiful, Choate."

Paddy turned to follow the big man's gaze. "It's one of my most favorite spots."

The boys had hopped from the wagon almost before it came to a halt, and raced off in the direction of the orchard.

"Justin Evers," his guardian called sternly. "You leave that fruit alone. Chu Wah packed us a huge lunch!"

"What kinda trees you got out there?" Jim asked.

"Peaches, mostly. My father loved peaches. Some sturdy apple and I think a cherry or two. He even planted a small vineyard. They don't do too well because of the cold, though."

"Your father tried his hands at a lot of things, didn't he?"

"Instead of mastering just one," Choate said bitterly, under his breath.

~~~

Blair stood beneath a peach tree, looking up at the nearly ripened fruit longingly.

"I know that look, Blair Ellison. Paddy said no." Justin came up behind his friend.

"But look at all the trees. He won't miss a few."

Before Justin could respond, Choate shouted to the boys, "Justin, Blair! ¡Vayamos, niños⁹! We have a hike to the picnic site."

They hiked back into the canyon along the creek to a lovely site about twenty minutes up the main trail. After eating the glorious lunch Chu Wa prepared, they packed up. The men, bellies bursting, taking their time strolling back.

"What are they looking at now?" Justin whined.

"I don't know, but I wish they'd hurry up. We gotta get that rope."

"Yeah, and I got the perfect plan on how to get it."

"You do?" At Justin's nod, Blair said, "Then what are we waiting for?"

"Them."

"Oh."

"But, if we run and get back to the wagon real fast, they're sure to follow in a hurry."

"We'll beat 'em back!"

"Let's go."

The boys raced down the trail to the wagon.

"Yes, Choate. Damn that creek up over there and ---" Jim broke off and looked around. "Where are the boys?"

"Not to worry, Ellison, they're probably just around the bend waiting for us," Choate tried to soothe, and headed down the trail.

When they made the turn and found no sign of Justin or Blair, they called for the boys. After no answer came they quickly headed down the trail, calling the boys' names every few yards. At the fork in the trail, Choate took the branch while Jim kept to the main path. Jim trotted down the path keeping alert for signs of trouble, still calling out every now and then while trying to fight down the rising panic in his heart.

He was within ten yards of the wagon when he heard the whispers. Jim slowed to a walk, his emotions flip-flopping between relief and annoyance. By the time he'd reached the wagon, annoyance had won out.

"Blair! Justin! Get out here right now."

Jim's scowl deepened at his son's whispered words. Angry wasn't the half of it. "One."

< Why? We didn't do anything. >

"Two!"

< We'd better get out there before he gets to three, or he'll spank us.>

'Three' died on Jim's lips as two little boys hesitantly came from behind a nearby bush. Jim fired a shot into the air to let Choate know the boys had been found and waited for the sorrowful pair to approach him.

"No," Jim ordered as explanations were offered. "We'll wait for Choate to get here so you only have to tell your story once. You two go over and face the wagon until he gets here."

Ten minutes later Choate came running up to the wagon. His relief at finding the boys safe quickly changed to anger when Ellison filled him in on how he found them.

"Justin! Expliqúete¹⁰."

Justin approached his guardian, ready to tell the whole ugly truth. "I'm sorry, Paddy, but the reata--"

"¡No lo puedo creer! Casi me muero del susto, que ustedes me dieron con ese pedazo de cuerda.¹¹" Paddy stopped his angry tirade and took a deep, calming breath. "Well, little boy, when we get home you bring me your reata. You won't get it back until I think you can be responsible with it. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," he said softly, deciding the rest of the truth could wait. . .until never, maybe.

"That sounds fair to me. Blair, I want your rope, too. I guess you were too young for it after all."

"Yes, sir," Blair said, his eyes watery.

The boys scrambled into the back of the wagon, dreading what awaited them.

All too soon, the ranch buildings came into view. The boys hung their heads to their chests, knowing it was time to face the music.

Choate's firm command to, "Get your ropes, boys," brought them to back to the moment. They scrambled out of the wagon and dragged their feet into the stables.

Blair tugged on Justin's jacket sleeve and whispered, "What are we gonna do now?"

"I don't know," Justin whispered back as they reached Percy's pen. He took a carrot from the barrel to attract the animal's attention, hoping he'd forgotten about the incident earlier that morning and would come to them. When the bull turned and came to the stall wall, both boys looked shocked. The rope was gone. They looked frantically on the ground in the pen, but couldn't see the rope amidst the debris on the ground.

"Blair!"

"Justin!"

At the cross tone of their names being called, they gave up their search and slowly walked to the entrance of the stables. Each boy's mind frantically working on an explanation to save their hides. They approached the wagon as Chu Wa retrieved the picnic basket. Their guardians stood at the end, arms crossed, and stern expressions on their faces.

"Well, where are your reatas?" Choate demanded.

Chu Wa spoke quietly from his place by the wagon. "I believe, young masters, you will find your ropes on the back porch next to the pots you agreed to scrub for me."

Neither man missed the stunned expression on their boy's face which each imp quickly covered, nodding in agreement with the old man.

"That's right, Chu Wa. We'll be right back, Paddy," Justin said, grabbing hold of Blair's arm hurrying the younger boy along. Soon they were back, handing over their reatas without reluctance, then dashing back to the kitchen to help Chu Wa.

The two men finished unhitching and caring for the horses before heading for the house themselves. They exchanged surprised glances at Chu Wa sitting with a cool drink on the front veranda, cooling himself with a beautifully painted Chinese fan, as they made their way into the house. Curiosity peaked, they spied on the boys who were scrubbing diligently at two big filthy cooking pots, several more stacked neatly behind them. Stealthily they backed out of the room and made their way to Choate's study.

"What do you think that's about?" Choate asked, as he poured Jim a brandy.

"I don't know," Jim replied, taking the offered drink, "and I don't think I want to." He grinned at his friend. "Besides, I think your man has whatever it is well in hand."

The rancher shook his head as he took a sip from his own glass. "I have a feeling you are right."

They both shared a laugh.

The end

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translations

1. sp. = diminitive or affectionate version of hijo, son or child

2. sp. = dim. or affectionate version of chico, little boy

3. chinese = I don't want it

4. chinese = yes

5. chinese = thank you
6. chinese = you're welcome

7. sp. = very good

8. sp. = Go to sleep, now! Or I'll spank both of your bottoms.

9. sp. = Let's go, boys.
10. sp. = Explain! 11. sp. = I don't believe it! You two scare us nearly to death over a piece of rope?