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From: ErebosForever@aol.com
Subject: {ASSM} Cougar Ranch Pt.1  (m/f teen hist)
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 12:10:10 -0500
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<1st attachment, "Cougar Ranch.txt" begin>

Cougar Ranch
By Erebos & Micky Paige


Author's Note,
                  Yep, it's a western. But it is erotica. This going to be a novel,
hopefully. I wouldn't even be writing it if the lovely, if not annoying Micky Paige
hadn't dared me to. We have a deal, she writes some, then I write some. I'll let you
guess who wrote what in this first part.   :)
 
Although it's erotica, it's not porn. So, there isn't a lot of hanky panky. But what is
here, is graphic. So, you've been warned.  :)

Please send all comments to ErebosForever@aol.com 



Chapter One
     

Dayton, Texas 1887


The orangish-red flames crackled inside the fireplace of the old ranch house that
night. The ranch house was built for four people to live in, but only three lived in
it at the moment. Everything inside was quiet, except the crackling of the fire and
a man with a gray beard at the table.
     The man wasn't really old. He was only in his late fifties, but his wife was only
in her late forties and his son was only ten. Both mother and son sat across from
him at the table as he finished saying the Lord's prayer. It was a tradition, he said
it before every meal, and it was supper time.
     The man's name was John Holstem. He was a small time cattle-owner and
farmer. He was by no way rich, but he wasn't exactly poor either. They made
enough money to get by. They certainly made enough money to keep the house
maintained through the storm season. And that was a lucky deal, because a big one
had just started up at dusk that day.
     John finished the prayer and raised his head with a quiet smile. "Amen," he
said and started on the venison steak in front of him. His wife and son repeated the
word and started on their food as well.
     Ten-year-old Tommy was a little nervous. He could hear the wind howl and
scream, doing its best to shake the windows. He watched outside the dining room
window with apt attention. It was pitch dark, then everything would light-up when
a murderous force of lighting would crash.
     The last time he saw a storm like this, something his father told him was a
twister had come through and tore down a whole row of trees on the back forty.
He asked his father what would have happened if it had hit the house. His father
told him that they would have got to see his grandma again. Grandma had been
dead for the last five years.
     His ten-year-old green eyes peeked at his father under his light red bangs. "Hey
Pa, ya don't think a twister is gonna come do ya?" Tommy tried to make his voice
sound light, but his nervousness betrayed him.
     John's voice sounded burly when he spoke, like always. "That's for the good
Lord to decide, son,"
    "Well . . . Do ya think he's gonna decide to send one tonight??"
     John let out a long hoarse laugh. That's my son. "I don't know, Tommy.
Maybe, maybe not. You shouldn't worry about it though. Go on and eat your
food." Then he turned his attention to his redheaded wife, it was from her that
Tommy got most of his looks. "This is delicious, as always, Claire,"
     Claire nodded her head at the comment. She was quiet that evening, not that
she wasn't a quiet person most of the time, she was. But on this evening something
was worrying her. Her eyes looked sad and dreadful. The man from the Eastern
Railroads had come by their place earlier that day. They wanted it. And from the
way her six foot, five inch husband was shouting, she guessed that they wanted it
pretty bad. John had thrown them off his land.
     They had offered them a dollar an acre for their land. John laughed in their face
and told them that they could offer him one hundred dollars an acre for his land
and still wouldn't be for sale. She could not hear all of the conversation, but
apparently the man made a threat at her husband. This caused the usually gentle
giant to throw man of his land. 
     But she had heard, quite clearly, what the man said as he rode off. "We'll be
seein' you again, Mr. Holstem."
     Claire had heard rumors of Eastern Railroads in town. They were known for
hiring people that persuaded a person to sell their land. I just hope John knows
what he's doing . . . Land ain't worth dyin' over. Claire thought with an aggrieved
sigh.
     "So, what did the letter that Jessica sent say?" John asked, taking in a fork full
of food. Claire was their only daughter. She was also in Boston, going to school at
the University.
     "Said she's missin' her Daddy something awful," Claire said with a smirk. My
daughter always was her father's child.
     "Guess I'll have to write Cupcake back," John said, using his favorite nickname
for his daughter. He always did like being doted on when it came to his children.
     "I think you sh . . ." Claire's words were cut short.
     A clash of thunder so loud that it shook the windows sounded off at that
moment. Then hail started to tap against the window, almost hard enough to break
it, but not quite. The wind was howling and screaming even louder. John looked
over at his son, who had gone as pale as a sheet, and gave him a reassuring look.
     That storm is brewin' something fearsome. John thought. "It'll be ok Tommy,
finish up your supper," he told his child with fatherly clarity that conveyed
conviction.
     "Boy, I feel sorry for anyone dumb enough to be caught in this storm, Pa,"
Tommy said with a weak smile, trying to be brave. It was funny he should have
said that, because just then, there was a light, but firm, knock on their door.
     "Good Lord, who would be out in this?" John asked, laying his fork down and
preparing to stand up.  
     "Keep your seat warm and finish eating Dear, I'll get the door," Claire said
before John could stand up.
     John let her wife do as she pleased, because, if trouble was going to come, he
thought that it would surely wait until the storm was over. He watched his wife go
to the living room, her light blue, ankle-length dress swaying. She is a beautiful
one, even to this day . . . His thoughts trailed.
     Claire let her eyes sweep over the rustic living room. Then heard the light, but
firm, knock again. She could hear the wind and the hail crash into the house, and
her husband's question came to her mind as well. Who would be out in this
weather? 
     Her hand curled around the knob of the door, her curiosity was beginning to
peak. They lived 20 miles outside of town. Why would anyone be all the way out
this way? Then her thoughts went to the Railroad men again. She had vision of a
dozen men with rifles on the other side of the door.
     These thoughts made her hand pause in turning the knob. But the knock came
again. She could feel the vibration of it go to her hand. Claire, quit being an old
hen. She chided herself and opened the door. She saw a figure standing a few feet
away from it.
     The first thing that caught her attention was the ice-chip blue eyes that were
staring back at her. They seemed almost glacial. Above the eyes, and blowing
freely, was a head of light blonde hair. Those were the first two things that Claire
Holstem noticed. The third was his age. He can't be but sixteen if he's a day. She
thought, also noticing the knee-length black coat the boy was wearing. That hail
was also bouncing off liberally.
     Where are your manners, Claire Holstem? "You had best come on inside
stranger, before that storm blows you away," Claire said with a warm smile. And
she noticed a twinkle of gratitude in those ice-chip blue eyes.
     The boy, who was quite handsome Claire thought, walked in holding his coat
tight to him. He looked at Claire with a twitch of a smile. "I surely do thank you,
ma'am." He said this in a low and warm voice that was in great contrast to the
chilling air outside.
     "My name is Claire Holstem, and it's no trouble at all . . . But would you mind
telling me what you are doing out in this weather? Come, sit in front of the fire,"
she said, knowing her husband would be coming in the room soon.
     "I was on my way to old Mexico, my horse stumbled and broke her leg about
three miles up the trail," the boy said. His eyes were rapidly turning from glacial to
warm gratitude.
     "Well, you're lucky you made it here. This is the only house I know of for
miles around," Claire said, noting that the boy was not taking off his coat. The
coat was thick too.
     "You wouldn't be able to rent me some space tonight would you?" the boy
asked. Tsk, Jason, telling white lies will only keep you friends for only a while. It
was true he was heading to Old Mexico, but that wasn't where he was stopping.
     "Nonsense, you'll stay here tonight and not pay me a thing," Claire said, as any
good Christian would.
     God, I do love Texas. Jason thought wryly. But instead, he reached into his
deep coat pocket and pulled out three silver dollars. "That's not good business," he
stated simply and slid them over to Claire's side of the couch.
     "I will not t-" She was cut off.
     "I'm sorry, Mrs. Holstem, but I won't take charity if I don't have to," Jason said
simply again. He knew that three dollars was a little much for one night's stay at a
ranch house, but didn't care. He had plenty.
     It was at that time that John had walked into the room. Jason stood up and
walked around the couch, as well as did Claire, to meet him. "John, this young
man's horse broke his leg about three miles north of here. I told him he could stay
the night here." Then she looked over at Jason. "I'm sorry, but you know my name
and I seem to be at a loss for yours."
     "I do apologize Mrs. Holstem. My name is Jason Cross," Jason said and
watched the big man known as John step forward.
     John stepped forward and stuck out his hand. "My name is John Holstem. And
like my wife said, you're welcome to bunk down here tonight. God knows, I
wouldn't want anything in this storm." John's voice was deep and full of meaning.
It made Jason believe that this was a man that did what he said and said what he
meant. "And this little tyke here is our son Tommy,"
     "Aww, Pa," Tommy said, he hated to be called a tyke. But he stepped out of his
embarrassment and toward Jason. Tommy stuck out his hand, after his father was
done shaking hands with the stranger. He thought this might make him look more
adult.
     "Nice to meet you, Tommy," Jason said with good nature. Then turned back to
John. "As well as you Mr. Holstem. And thanks for getting me out of that blasted
storm," He added with a shake of the head. I really didn't want to shoot Eris. He
thought. Eris was his horse.
     "We're just glad we could help. Please, have a seat again. How long have you
been on the trail?" John asked as he walked over to his chair. It was the only thing
he sat in when he was in the living room.
     Before he could answer, Tommy asked something. "Hey Mister, can I take your
coat for ya?" the boy asked. He knew that his father would be pleased with his
manners.
     Jason stood still for a moment. Apprehension covered his tanned features and
his ice-chip blue eyes. Well, I guess I'll have to take it off sometime . . . I just hope
he don't throw me out. "Sure, Tommy," he said in a calm voice.
     John wondered in puzzlement as to why Jason took on that look of
apprehension. Then he watched as the kid took of his jacket. Under the jacket he
was wearing a dark blue, long-sleeved button-up shirt. But that was not what
caught John's attention the most. What caught his attention the most were the
things on his hips.
     On the kid's hips were two .45 caliber Colt revolvers. Even though John was a
peace-loving man, he knew a gunfighter when he saw one. And this kid known as
Jason was just that. John could tell by the way he wore the guns. One hung low on
his right hip, and the bottom of the holster was tied down with a peace of leather
string to Jason's thigh. John knew that it was tied down so it wouldn't move if the
kid had to draw fast.

    The second holster was tied down across Jason's middle at a little more than a
forty-five-degree angle. It was like that because he sometimes had to draw
sideways in a fight. Both guns had shiny white ivory handles. The fire and the
lantern light seemed to reflect on them. And the belts that were holding them up
had places to put spare bullets, and they were all full.
     "Wow," Tommy said as he took Jason's coat. He's a gunfighter . . . Wait, Pa
said that not all people that carry guns fight with them . . . But I still bet this one
does, though. Tommy thought. "I'll put your coat on that rack over there, Mister,"
Tommy said, nodding his head toward the coat rack on the wall.
     Jason looked over at John, gauging him. He saw the quizzical and wondering
look on John's face. Then he saw a touch of worry on Claire's face. Jason knew
that he had better say something. "I ain't wanted," At least not in the States. He
thought wryly. "The things on my hips are for surprises I might run into . . . You'd
be surprised what you can run into if you stay out long enough," Jason said in a
low voice. "If you want me to leave, I will," He added.
     John could tell by his eyes that the boy was telling the truth on not being on the
run . . . And on leaving. "Nonsense, have a seat Jason. I was just a little surprised
to see them, that's all," John said, a warm smile appearing.
     "Thank you," Jason said, taking a seat and mentally wiping his brow. He took it
better than I thought . . .
     That was when Claire decided to speak up. She trusted her husband's
judgement on being safe from the gunslinger before them, she just had one
question that was bothering her. She waited until Jason got settled into his seat to
ask. "If you don't mind me asking, Jason, if you're not on the run, why are you
going to Old Mexico?"
     John took on an expectant look as well to that question. He watched as the
boy's eyes turned from gratitude to coldness. That much coldness in a sixteen-
year-old boy he had never seen before. But he knew it was not directed at them.
     Might as well tell the truth . . . "I am headed towards Old Mexico, but that is
not where I was stopping. I was planning on going down to Brazil," Jason said in
an even tone.
     John was curious as to why. But he didn't want to push the boy to answer. His
wife on the other hand . . . Had no problems with pushing. "Why would you want
to go to that place? It's in South America, isn't it?" Claire asked.
     The cold-look in Jason's eyes seemed to intensify. "Yes, Ma'am. As to why I'm
going there . . . I have to see a man on business," That is a little of an
understatement, huh? No use in tellin' them I'm gonna put a bullet in him, right?
Right. 
     John didn't think he wanted to know what kind of business. Especially after
seeing the look in Jason's eyes just from him thinking about it. "So, where are you
coming from Jason?" he asked, wanting to change the subject.
     "From Arizona. Chaplen to be exact," Jason replied, thankful that John didn't
want to interrogate him further about South America. But the thought of Arizona
made his heart ache. Kristy . . . I'm sorry. I should have been there. But I swear by
my soul that I'll nail the son-of-a-bitch that was behind your death to the wall. He
thought tiredly. And he was tired. He had been on the move for weeks. It had been
three days since he slept last.
     When John had first met the boy, he had thought that the boy looked as sturdy
as an oak. But then, as he looked at the boy's face more carefully . . . He saw signs
of tiredness in those blue eyes that he had only seen one other time in his life. In
the War.
     That was the kind of tiredness that sleeping would only temporarily solve. It
was the kind of tiredness that he and his fellow soldiers got after being under fire
for three weeks. And most of all . . . It was the kind of tiredness a person acquired,
after seeing too much death.
     He's way too young to look that tired. John thought sadly. "We've got a spare
bed if you want to bunk down. You look like you could use a rest," John said,
knowing he was right.
     Claire had seen the change in the boy as well, after he said where he was from.
Oh, John, I think that boy needs more than rest. He needs a home. For some reason
Claire knew, knew, that Jason had no home. That he had no plans after whatever
business he had in South America. And for some reason, she wanted to help this
blonde-haired stranger with the tired eyes. She couldn't understand why though.
     "John's right, you look like you could use the rest," she said with a touch of a
smile.
     Well, I guess that answer's the question of `Do I look as tired as I feel?'. Jason
thought wryly. "I'd appreciate it. If you'd point me to the bed, I'd be much
obliged," he said, standing back up.
     Claire gave him a heartfelt smile. She felt more than a little sorry for the boy.
She just did not understand why. It's almost like he went to hell and came back to
tell the tale. She thought without humor, standing up. "Follow me," was all she
said though. 
     John stood up as his wife did. "You have a good night's rest, ya here?" He said
in a somewhat fatherly tone.
     It amused Jason a little that he sounded like that. "I'll try my best Mr. Holstem.
That is, after I get my saddle bags off your porch," Jason said with an appreciative
nod.
     Claire looked a little amused at this. "Why would you leave your saddle bags
on the porch?"
     "I didn't know if you'd let me ride out this storm after you saw that I was
wearing guns," Jason said, heading for the door.
    But Tommy, who had been being quiet and just listening, piped up. "I'll get
them for you Mister," he said with an expectant look. It sounded like an answer,
but it was a question.

     "That's right nice of ya, Tommy," Jason said. He is a good kid. What am I
saying? I sound old. Hell, it was only six years ago that I was his age. He thought
with a shrug.
     "Why didn't you just leave the guns outside?" Claire asked, a little confused.
     John watched as Jason gave his wife a look that said: I don't know. I do. He
thought. It's because you never take them off. That kid has got more baggage in
his head than them saddle bags. He thought. And watched his son bring in Jason's
saddle bags. There were two sets of them.
     "Here ya go, Mister," Tommy said with a grin, handing over the saddle bags.
     "Thanks Tommy."
     "Follow me, Mr. Cross." It felt a little odd to her to be calling a teenager that.
     "Call me Jason," he said with a rakish grin.
     "Only if you call me Claire. Now, come on, scoot your feet," She replied with a
chuckle.
     Jason gave a light smile at her use of words, then did as asked. He followed her
to a room that was on the other side of the house. When they made it to the room,
he knew that it had to be a girl's room.
     It has pink covers! He thought wildly, looking at the bed. It was quite a large
bed, and looked comfortable. Jason looked around the room and noticed that there
were stuffed animals on the dresser and one was even in the middle of the bed. He
looked out the window that was there and could see the lightning flash, and the
hail tap against the glass.
     "This is our daughter's room. She's away at school in Boston, though. So I
don't think she'll mind," Claire said, walking over to the bed and removing a
stuffed bear. "Sorry," she said, with another laugh.
     Jason walked over to the corner and laid his saddle bags there. "Boston, huh?" 
     "Have you ever been there?"
     "A few times," he said truthfully.
     "Well, goodnight Jason. I hope you sleep well,"
     "Thank you, Claire. For your hospitality and kindness," Jason said
meaningfully. 
     "You're very welcome Jason," I just wish I could do more. Her thoughts added
as she walked out of the room. 
     Jason walked over to the bed and sat down on it. Ohhh, yeah, a lot better than
the ground. He thought. Jason kicked off his worn black boots and took off his
shirt. Those were the only things he took off. He left the guns on. 
     An unfortunate incident in Tombstone made him learn that lesson. He woke up
and found the barrel of his own gun pointed at him. His hands, being quicker than
quick, allowed him to get out of the situation. But he thought it best that he slept
with his guns on his person from that point on.
     Jason had found out that he did a lot of things differently than most people.
And he learned that he had done more stuff in his short life than most people do in
a lifetime. Jason was most certainly no stranger to steel. He had acquired his first
gun at the tender age of twelve.
     As he laid his head back and closed his eyes, old memories came to him

**********************************************************
                                                          1884
                                                             
     It was in a dirt poor town in Old Mexico, no less. And it was no coincidence
that it was on that day that he shot a man for the first time. The gun he picked up
was his father's, and he picked it up off his father's corpse not three minutes after
he was shot down in a bar.
     His father was no saint, that much was for certain, but Jason felt that he didn't
deserve to get shot over a card game while he was drunk. Jason watched,
shockingly, as one of the Mexicans his father was playing excused himself from
the table, walked about five feet, then turn and drew down on his drunk father. 
     One bullet to the heart was all that it took. His father didn't see what happened.
He just slumped down to the dusty floor. Jason knelt over his body in complete
shock. He stayed that way for almost a full three minutes. Then the shock was
replaced by deep-seated anger. He reached down and pulled his father's gun from
its holster.
     Almost everyone in that bar was too drunk to notice him. He walked as quietly
as he could up behind the Mexican that was laughing at the bar. That's what really
made him mad. He was laughing. Jason wasn't but about four feet from him when
he stopped. He cocked the hammer of the gun while it was still at his side.
     He raised the gun so that it was pointed right at the man's head. "Senor?" Was
all that he said, and that was just to get the man to turn and look at his young, hate-
filled, ice-chip blue eyes.
     "Si?!" The man had shouted, very annoyed. Then he saw the eyes, the gun, and
it dawned on him. That was his last thought. Jason pulled the trigger and a bullet
drilled right into, and out of, the man's head. Then he ran like hell while everyone
was in shock.
     It was also on that day, that Jason stole a horse for the first and last time. He
never was much for stealing. He and that horse rode out of that town as fast as
they could go. The reason he did this was very logical to him. If he wanted to
avenge his father, someone might want to avenge the man he killed.
     Three days later, Jason found himself in the middle of nowhere. With no water
and no food. He was walking in an almost desert. The toll of dehydration was
weighing heavily on him. He knew he would probably die, but, oddly, especially
for someone his age, death didn't scare him that bad.
     His stolen horse had dropped the day before. Jason didn't know any better and
rode the poor animal to death. With no horse, Jason was on foot. He walked
through the hot Mexican countryside with his feet dragging. There wasn't a town
in sight and he had known that it wouldn't take long for him to drop like that horse
did. And he was right in that assumption. 
     Jason fell sometime in the mid-afternoon. He remembered it well because it
was the hottest part of the day. He just looked up into the blinding-hot sky, while
he lay on the hot, hot ground. Then it happened: Jason saw an angel.
     Or at least he thought he did. She had blonde hair and sea-green eyes, and she
was looking right down at him. This angel was close to his age, if not exactly his
age. "A-A-Angel?" He had croaked out.
     The girl had let out a light laugh. "I guess I am today," she had said. "You're
lucky . . . What in the hell are you doin' out here anyway?" she asked as she put a
canteen to his lips, letting the water splash into his very dry mouth. "Hey, hey!
Slow down, not so fast, you'll get sick," she told him, taking the canteen away for
a moment.
     Then she helped him sit up. "W-who are you," His voice sounded very raspy to
him, still.
     The girl put on a mock hurt face. "What? You don't think I'm an angel
anymore?" Jason just looked at her, and she gave a beautiful laugh. "They call me
Alex," she said, still cradling his upper body so he could sit up straight. "And I
call you lucky. Come on, see if you can stand," she said and tried to pull him to his
feet. She managed, but barely.
     The two twelve-year-olds looked into each other's eyes for a moment as Jason
tried to get his legs to quit shaking. Alex's legs were shaking a little too, but that
was from holding him up. One of them was carrying a gun, and it wasn't Jason,
because he had lost his the day before.
     He looked at Alex carefully. She didn't look like any girl he had ever seen
before. She was wearing a light, light-blue cotton shirt and a pair of black pants
that were covered by riding leathers. Her blonde hair was not like his. It was more
of a sandy color. 
     But what really caught his fancy, was the gun on her side. He had never seen a
girl carry a gun. Especially a girl his age. It hung low on her hip and its holster
was tied to her thigh with a piece of red leather string. The holster was dusty, as
was the rest of Alex's wardrobe. 
     He must have stared too hard at her, because she lowered her gaze and blushed
a little. Not that one could tell though. The only reason Jason could tell was
because he was so close. She had a dark tan that hid most of the blush. Alex
recovered in record time though.
     "What's your name? Or ya want me to just call you Lucky?" she asked with a
smirk.
     Jason's thought's were still a little fuzzy. It took a few seconds for the question
to register. If he had stopped to think about it, he probably wouldn't have told her
his real name. After all, he might be wanted for murder. But thinking was one of
his strong suits at the moment. "Jason Cross."
     "Well, Jason Cross, we're gonna see if we can't get you on that horse. I think
you are about to croak," she said and slowly moved him to the horse. "I'll tell ya
what, if you can get on that horse, I'll give ya another drink of water," she said.
That's it Alex, bribe him like a little kid, that'll make him feel better! She thought
sarcastically.
     "I tell you what, you give me another drink, and I might get on that horse," he
said with the first traces of amusement entering his voice. In his childish thoughts,
he thought the boy was supposed to be the one who impresses the girls. And if he
could get on that horse without help that should impress her. Since he was close to
dying from dehydration.
     "Is that so?"
     "That is surely so," he replied with the smallest of smirks.
     "Ok hotshot, here ya go." She used the hand that wasn't helping him stand to
hand him the canteen. Now would you look at this happy horseshit! He's trying to
be tough on my account. Boys!! She thought in exasperation.
     "You can let go now . . . Not that I mind you holding me," He said with a ghost
of a wink.
     She let go of him like he was a piece of hot coal. That same blush came back.
She got a little irritated after she got over the blush, though. "If ya keeping talking
like that I'm gonna leave your merry ass for the buzzards!" she said in a bark. 
     Jason took a long swig of the canteen. And brought it down from his lips. This
time he blushed. He was standing on his own but it was difficult. He lowered his
head when he spoke. "Sorry," he said in a voice that was still a little raspy.
     Now, Alex felt bad. I'm yelling at a boy that's half dead from dehydration!
Hell, he probably doesn't know what he's saying! Good one, Alex. She didn't
apologize though, that wasn't her style. "Can ya get on the horse?" was all she
asked. 
     Jason looked over at the monster of an animal. It had to have been the biggest
damn horse he had ever seen. "Gee, ya think it's big enough??" he asked with a
laugh that hurt his raw throat.
     "What's the matter, you don't like that much power between your legs??" She
watched the expected blush rise to Jason's cheeks. Ha! You're not the only one
that can make people blush pretty-boy. She thought with satisfaction.
     She don't even talk like any girl I've met! He thought wildly. "All right, I can
do this," he said with a nod. He was trying to shake off the blush.
     Alex walked up to the horse first, she had to jump a little to get her boot in the
stirrup, but she got on the horse quite easily. "All right, let's see ya do it then.
You're riding in front of me," she said, pushing her butt to the rear of the saddle as
far as it would go.
     All right, Jason. He thought. This is a moment of truth. Should you impress
her? Or should you get into that saddle nice and easy? Not to be outdone by a girl,
Jason's twelve-year-old mind decided on impressing her. 
     Jason walked up to the big black animal until he was about five feet away,
standing to its side. He cocked his head to the side and took on a look of
contemplation. "You want me on that horse?" he asked with a coy look.
     Uh-oh. I don't like that look. Kaige looks that way before she splashes me with
water. "Uh, yeah," she said with an uncertain nod.
     "All right," he said simply. Then with two giant steps he was in the sky. His
foot barely brushed against the stirrup, and he landed perfectly in the saddle . . .
Then promptly passed out.
     "Wow!" the twelve-year-old girl exclaimed. "That was ama- Ah, shit," she then
said when she noticed Jason's back start to lean toward the right, about to fall to
the ground. Like my Mom used to say, before she left this shitty world, BOYS!
Can't live with 'em, can't multiply without 'em! She thought, slipping an arm
around Jason's middle and straightening him up.
     "You have no idea of how lucky you are that I'm in a good mood," she
muttered, making the now unconscious Jason lean into her upper body.
     How the hell did he jump that high? He could barely stand. She thought, still
impressed, if not irritated. She kept her horse at a slow gait. "And if you call my
horse Thunder an `it' again, I'm gonna shoot ya," She muttered, patting the horse
in question. 
     Thunder stayed at a slow gait for close to ten minutes before Jason woke up. He
noticed where he was leaning almost immediately though. He could feel the soft
breasts of the girl press into his back. I could just stay like this a little while. He
thought with a smile. Nah, if she found out, I'd probably have to pick bullets out
of my ass for a week. His thoughts added wryly. He straightened up fully.
     "Ah, it lives," Alex commented.
     "Sorry about that," Jason said in a low disappointed voice. He was more than a
little embarrassed for passing out.
     "You're inclined to be a little fuzzy-headed. But don't make a habit out of it,"
Alex said with that same beautiful laugh.
     `Inclined'? When do twelve-year-old's use that word?? "Could I have some
water, please?" he asked.
     "Ohhhhh, when you were leaning back, did some of my good manners rub off
on you??" she asked, still laughing, as she handed up the canteen.
     Jason chuckled a little at her small joke and took a long drink. His mind was
starting to work a little better at that moment. He noted that the water was cool for
the first time. "Where are we going?"
     "To a ranch-house about five miles outside of Conlodas. It's a place for
runaways and homeless kids. We call it Cougar Ranch," she replied in a light
voice.
    Conlodas? Damn, I got further than I thought. But If I go to that ranch-house
and the Mexican police come for me . . . The beautiful girl in front of me could
have some trouble. He thought with a frown.
     "Where are you from?" Alex asked, not seeing the frown on Jason's face. No
answer. "Hey, did you pass out again?" she asked. She couldn't resist. 
     "No," Jason said, his voice sounding sullen.
     Wonder what's wrong. He must think that he won't like Cougar Ranch. She
guessed wrongly. "Hey, you're gonna like the ranch. It's great. You basically get
to do what you want . . . After you do your chores that is, but it's worth it,"
    Still, no answer. Alex decided to change the subject. She didn't think she quite
liked the quiet side of Jason. She figured that he would find out the Ranch was
great when they got there. "So where ya from?" she asked innocently.
     "From a place that's gonna cause your ranch a lot of trouble if they find me
there," His voice was low and even.
     Oh. That's the reason he was quiet. "You're on the run?" she asked, her voice
was different than Jason had expected. It sounded bright, sunny . . . He expected a
little fear, but there was none.
     "Yeah," he sighed. I bet she thinks I stole something. He thought wryly. Should
I set her straight?
     "What didja do? Steal a horse? Rob a store? Rob a bank? Beat someone up?
Shoot someone . . ." She saw the back stiffen on the last comment. She didn't have
to ask if she was right. "I take it you didn't hit 'em in the leg?" She asked, her
voice a bit more serious.
    "Nope." He turned around to look at her face. What he saw wasn't bright or
sunny . . . But it wasn't mad or disgusted either. "One bullet. Right to the head,
end of story," he said, looking intently into her eyes. They didn't change.
     "Jase . . . Do you mind if I call you Jase?" She watched him shake his head.
"Jase, at Cougar Ranch, four out of five of us are running from felony charges.
Most of us are from Texas or New Mexico. There are those that are running from
the Mexican Police though. I'm there for almost the same reason as you. Only I
did shoot him in the leg, so it's only attempted murder." She said the last with a
twitch of a smile.
     She went on before she could speak. "Before you ask, yes, there are kids there
for the same thing you did," she said seriously. "What did this guy do anyway, to
deserve to get shot, I mean?"
     "Shot my father over a card game," Jason replied. Then added "In cold blood,"
     "So what did you do," Alex asked.
     "I shot him in the head . . . In cold blood," 
     Just when he said that, Alex watched his eyes turn cold as ice. Completely
unforgiving. Alex just nodded her head. "I can see your gonna be in the West
Cabin with me," I know that look. I've seen it too many times. She thought very
adultly. She wasn't used to all the seriousness.
     "What do you mean `In the West Cabin with me'?" Jason asked.
     "What? Are you telling me after all we've been through, you're still not ready
to move in with me??" Alex asked playfully, trying to change the serious mood
she set.
     It didn't work. "What did you mean?" he repeated.
    "The West Cabin is the cabin you go to if you're a hardcore felon. Meaning that
you will probably be on the run for a while. The only people in it are those that
have shot people or those that want to be better with a gun. Not every person gets
in. You have to fit the part . . . Emotionally and physically," Alex said, repeating
the same words that Kaige told her when she first got there.
     "What makes you think I fit the part?" Jason asked, starting to relax a little. I
really did get lucky when she found me. He thought with an inward grin, turning
his eyes back to the trail before him.
     "For one, you definitely fit the physical. I still don't know how you jumped on
Thunder here when just a moment ago you couldn't hardly stand. And . . . That
look you gave me told me you fit the part on the other," She said with a small grin.
     "What look?" he asked. What is she talking about? I didn't give her any `look'.
He thought, becoming a little confused. This was the most intense conversation he
had ever had in the twelve years he'd lived.
     "Don't worry about it. Trust me, you'll fit in fine at Cougar Ranch," she
replied. Funny. I wonder how come everyone that has the look doesn't know when
the give the look. She thought, a little amused.
     Jason decided to let the subject drop until they got there. He also decided to get
off the subject of `looks'. "Are ya sure you want me to live with you? I'm hell to
live with. I suppose it's only fair, though. After all, you did seduce me by giving
me a ride through this beautiful countryside," Jason said in a light voice. You just
can't resist teasing her, can you? He chided himself.
     "Hey! If you don't want to get up close and personal with the countryside, I
suggest you hold your lip!" she barked, blushing furiously. But then she couldn't
help but laugh. "Besides, you'll make nice house entertainment," she quipped,
watching a blush rise up the back of Jason's neck. "Ha, you look good in pink,"
She said with another laugh.
     "Keep it up Angel, keep it up," he said, trying to fight off the blush. 
     "What did you call me?" she asked, cocking her head with puzzlement, to look
at the back of Jason.
     "What, you don't like the name Angel?" he asked, curious.
     "You want to call me Angel?"
     "You have a problem with it?" he asked, turning around to look into her eyes
for a moment. "It's only the truth. You were my angel for the day. Problem?" he
asked again. He looked at Alex's face, it was marked by confusion. Come on, it's a
good way to say `Thank You' without saying it. He thought at her.
     Angel? He wants to call me Angel?? What will the others say when they here
that?? They'll laugh their heads off! She looked in his eyes. He means what he
says. Damn, I guess I am his angel for the day. She thought. "No, but I may have
to shoot some people for laughing," She said with mock seriousness. "Or if they
start calling me it, too."
    "Good. Angel it is. How far are we away from the Ranch?"
     "At this pace? 'Bout an hour away," she said, taking on a coy look. "If ya told
me you could stay on the damn saddle we'd get there faster,"
     "Give it your best shot," Jason replied simply, taking a tight hold of the saddle
horn.
    "You asked for it. Ya, Thunder! Ya!" she yelled digging her spurs into the
horse. Thunder took off in a dead run.


*******************


The owners of Cougar Ranch were an elderly couple by the name of Robby and
Diana Catson. Because of their last name, the kids had decided to call the place,
Cougar Ranch. They had started taking in kids two years before when Robby had
found a band of them running for their lives in South America.
     Those kids had came and gone, though. Robby was about in his mid-sixties
now. But that still didn't stop him from teaching the kids, the ones that needed it,
how to use a firearm. He was pretty fair with a pistol and some said he was a
genius with a rifle. But most of the kids didn't want to learn how to shoot a rifle,
they wanted to learn how to shoot a .45. He wouldn't teach all that wanted to
know, though.
     He only taught those that he thought would end up needing the skill badly. And
currently, there were only five kids on the ranch that fell into that category. There
were only 12 kids on the ranch all together. All ranging from 12 to 17 years old.
But the amazing thing was, all the kids he was teaching to shoot and draw, were
under fifteen. He didn't plan that, it just ended up that way.
     His job was to take care of the kids that he wanted to learn how to shoot. Diana
took care of the rest of the lot. His job was the kids and the ranch. The kids helped
run the ranch. Most of them, to his delight, were fair riders. They could herd cattle
and horses quite well. So it all worked out.
     The other thing that was good was the fact that none of them complained about
doing chores. Or learning to read and write. He was surprised to see that four of
the smartest kids on the Ranch were in his group. They pretty much stayed away
from his wife's group for some reason. 
     Robby had a feeling about why though. That was part of the reason he was
teaching them to be the best that they could be with a firearm. Society had two
types of people. Those that blended in and didn't cause trouble, and those that had
a little problem with blending in. That was his group. They were all good kids
though, or at least he thought they were. They just seemed to attract trouble,
unknowingly, when around large groups of people. And Robby wanted them to be
ready for the trouble when it came.
     Robby and one of his best pupils, fourteen-year-old Kaige Carson, were sitting
on the porch the day that Jason would show up. He looked over at his young pupil.
She had been with him four two years. She was turning out to be a beautiful young
lady . . . Well, maybe `lady' was the wrong term for it. But she was turning out to
be beautiful, that much was certain.
     She had short, thick, light blond hair. She did have a braided strand that went
down from the side of her head down to the middle of her chest. Kaige also had a
deep shade of blue eyes. Yes, she has turned out to be beautiful. Robby thought as
he leaned back in his wicker chair.
     Kaige was leaning against the porch railing with her hands. She had two guns,
one strapped firmly on each leg. Her back was to Robby, but she could feel his
eyes on her. She smiled a little. "What are you looking at old man?" she asked in a
sweet voice. She really didn't mind the looks. Made her feel kind of special.
     Without missing a beat Robby said "Just admiring the scenery, Kaige. Just
admiring the scenery," Then gave a short laugh. "Where'd the little one get off
to?" he then asked, talking about Alex.
     "I sent her to check the back-forty, and if she heard you callin' her that she
would probably shoot you," Kaige joked, turning around and looking at the man.
     "Don't mean no harm by it. Just a little worried is all. Haven't seen her all day,"
     "Yeah, me too. She should have been back a couple of hours ago. And that girl
attracts honey like honey does bees," she added the last wryly.
     "Now, Kaige, I seem to remember a-" he started but got cut off.
     "Don't go there old man. I ain't like that anymore," she said, noticing a twinkle
in the old man's eyes. "Think I should go look for her?"
    Robby let his gray eyes spread out over the horizon. And noticed, about four
hundred yards out, the big black beast he had given the girl when she got there.
And she was riding him at a hell-bent speed. "Nah, I think she heard us worrying,
look," he said with a nod of the head.
     "She ridin' someone double?" Kaige asked, just for a confirmation.
     "Aye, and from here . . . It looks to be a boy," Robby replied. "Maybe she
brought you a concubine back," Robby said, teasing the girl.
     "Get your mind out of the river old man," she replied, blushing. She watched
with wonder as her friend rode the biggest horse at the ranch at such a high speed,
with someone else on it, no less.
    They slowed down about a hundred yards out, to a slow rolling gait. Now she
couldn't see Alex any longer because of the boy in front of her. She looked with
more than a little wonder at the boy as she stepped off the porch. She cocked her
head a little and took in what the boy looked like.
     Even at fifty yards she could see his eyes quite clearly. An intense ice-chip
blue. A color she had rarely seen. She looked as the boy let his eyes sweep over
every inch of the ranch, or try to anyway. A person hardly ever gets to see that
color in Old Mexico," she mumbled.
     Robby might have been getting on in years, but his eyes and ears were still
keen. He had heard his pupil well and he could see the eyes himself. He knew the
look well. It was one he watched for when choosing the kids that would be taught
the skill of a firearm. "There's a storm brewin' around that one," he said, not
realizing he spoke out loud until Kaige turned towards him.
     "So, if he's a stray then he's with me in the West Cabin?" she asked, meaning
that if the boy was a runaway and he was staying.
     "Aye, but see what he knows first," He nodded towards a gun belt that was
laying by the wicker chair beside him. "But first see if he's plannin' on stayin'," he
added, leaning back in his chair again.
     Kaige watched in puzzlement when the boy turned around and said something
to Alex that made her laugh out loud. Loud enough for her to hear, anyway. Kaige
decided that she would walk out and meet them.
     She walked out into the yard with a small grin on her face when the horse
pulled to a stop. Alex jumped down off the horse with a smile that was a little
bigger than Kaige's and walked up to her. "I told you to look for trouble on the
back-forty, not bring it home," Kaige said with a wry look.
     "Well, you know me, trouble and I go hand in hand. And besides, I saw him
laying at the edge of the back forty, half dead from thirst and I told myself `Self,
Kaige has been just dying to get one of those!' So, I brought him home for you,"
She said with a mischievous look. "You like?"
     "Shut up!" Kaige laughed out loud, blushing a little. She looked up at the
amused blue eyes that were still on the horse. Then she grabbed Alex by the elbow
lightly and started to lead her out of what she believed ear shot of the boy. When
she thought they were at a safe distance, she stopped leading.
     "What's up?" Alex asked. She couldn't seem to knock the dumb smile off her
face. She kept remembering Jason turning around just before they got there and
saying: She's looking at me like I'm a piece of meat. He had said it with very
amused eyes.
     "`What's up?' You know damn well what's up," she started with a little
exasperation. "What's his name and what's his story,"
     "His name's Jason Cross. Like I said, I found him laying, dying of thirst, on the
edge of the back forty," she said, glancing up at Jason, who was waiting patiently
like she told him to do before they got here.
     "Ok. But what is his story?" She asked. She was getting a little impatient.
     Alex paused for a second for some reason. She glanced up at the boy they were
talking about and gave him a small smile. "He killed a man in Los Dayos," She
said in a quiet voice.
     Kaige really didn't have to hear anymore. "He want to stay?" Was the only
question she had left for her friend.
     "He's a little edgy about the subject,"
     "What do you mean `edgy'?"
     "He don't want to get anyone in trouble," she said this with a chuckle. Kaige
laughed outright.
     "Robby wants me to see what he knows before we take him in," she said, after
her laughter died down. "You think he's up to that," She asked in a quiet voice.
     "I'm up to it," She heard the voice from thirty-some-yards away. And knew
from the direction that it could only be the boy on the horse. 
     "How the fuck did he hear me?" Kaige asked in an incredulous tone.
     "I don't know. But while you're ponderin' that question, answer me how he
jumped on Thunder, barely touching the stirrup, and I mean he might as well have
not touched it at all, with just two steps and a leap?" She then watched Kaige's
face turn to one of appreciation. 
     "If you're gonna stay, get off the horse wonder-boy," Kaige called out and
started back for the porch, to get the gun belt and gun.
     Amazingly, Jason felt almost 100% better after a canteen of water. I guess it's a
good thing too. He thought wryly. He hopped off the horse with negligent ease.
Glad that his legs felt solid again.
     "Targets, or speed?" she murmured to Robby as she reached down and grabbed
the gun belt.
     His answer was simple. "Both,"
     Jason wondered why the old man let the girl have so much say-so. Not that he
minded, but it was interesting. And the girl is as cute as all get out. He thought
stretching his back a little. Then his mind drifted back to all of the times he had
practiced holstering and reholstering his father's gun. He practiced like that when
his father was passed out at the bar. He really didn't know how good or fast he
was, because he had nothing to compare to. But Jason knew he only fired a
handgun one time . . . And that was why he was here. 
     They're gonna be disappointed with my shooting skills. He thought dimly. He
watched as Kaige put the gun belt on her shoulder and picked up about five small
apples from a basket that was on the porch. He then watched her walk about
twenty yards from the porch and sat the apples on the short grass in a neat row.
     Kaige walked up to him and stopped about four feet from him. She looked him
dead in the eyes. The a chill went down her spine. He's just a kid! Cute kid, but
just a kid. So stop with the being turned on already! Kaige's minded shouted, but
her body didn't listen. Her nipples were still hard, just from . . . a Look.
     She broke eye contact and was appalled when she blushed. She started talking
so she wouldn't have to think. "Look, this is what ya gotta do." She handed him
the gun belt. "Put this on, and do this." She turned on the apples and with a flicker
of motion drew her gun, leaving it at her side, cocking the hammer with her left
hand and fired with her right.
    The apple on the far left exploded. "See if you can't do that," she then said,
holstering her gun. "To at least two of them," She added.
     Jason looked over at Alex, who was standing with her arms crossed. "Go on, do
what she said," Alex said, giving her new friend a smile.
     Jason looked down at the gun belt that was in his hand. Colt .45 revolver.
Almost just like Dad's. What was he said? Jason thought as he put on the gun belt.
He then took out the gun, feeling it's weight before he popped the cylinder open to
check out the ammo. Full. I think he said . . . If you can point your finger straight
at something, you should be able to shoot straight at something. Ok, let's see if
that works. He thought.
     "Whatever you say, Angel," he said with a wink, putting the gun back in its
holster.
     "Did he just call you Angel?" Kaige whispered to her friend. Her friend just
blushed and did not comment.
     Jason wasn't going for speed, he really wasn't. But when he drew his gun,
Kaige thought he was. Jason drew the gun with fluid motion, cocking it with the
same hand, unlike Kaige. The apple on the far right exploded as soon as his
motion stopped. Then a second shot rang out only a second after the first, making
the apple beside the first explode.
     Jason holstered his gun immediately after the second shot. "Like that?" He
asked when he turned back to Kaige.
     Kaige nodded a little. How did he fire off the second shot so quickly after the
first without using his opposite hand? Must have strong hands . . . Kaige Carson,
STOP THAT! "Yeah, that was pretty good. Now I have to do a speed test on ya,"
she said walking up to him, stopping at arms length. "Now, when I go for my gun,
you go for your's. Cock the hammer back too . . . Just don't shoot me," She said
the last in a sheepish voice.
     Ok, I know what I'm doing here. He thought. I'll just act like I'm at home alone
like I used to be, practicing. "All right, I'm ready,"
     "Hey Kaige, if he his gun goes off on accident, can I have your shoes?" Alex
asked with mischief.
     "What, you sayin' he's faster than me?" She asked in an incredulous voice.
     "Naaaa, that couldn't be possible," Alex replied with just a little too much
innocence.
     "You just wait and see who's faster . . . Angel," Kaige told her friend with a
bark.
     Uh-oh. What do I do? Let her when? I can tell it's a touchy subject. But it
might save me a future headache. Jason thought. Better. 
     Kaige put her hand just above the gun on her right side. She looked into Jason's
eyes to make sure he's ready. Then she drew her gun. Her hand went real fast.
Faster than Jason's. He didn't even clear leather. "Ha!" she said, turning to Alex,
who had a look of puzzlement.
     But . . . He drew faster than that when he shot the apples. What happened? She
looked at her friend who was visibly smirking. The imp! What could have happe-. 
She looked at Jason and when she did he gave her, barely, a ghost of a wink.
Ohhh, I get it! No, we ain't gonna have that. I hate losing. Then a plan formed in
her mind, she had to give a wicked grin at the thought of it.
     Look, I made Kaige happy. He thought. Proud that he wasn't afraid to get hit in
the pride over this. And all I had to do was-. He quit thinking when he felt Alex
press up against him gently. Her small breasts pressed into his shoulder as she her
hot breath tickled his ear. She whispered something. Then gave him a wink of her
own and walked back to her previous spot.
     Jason's face was flushed. "My hand got a cramp- It's ok now, can we go
again?" he asked, trying to control the color in his face. His voice was a little
shaky as well.
     Kaige gave her friend a look and got a very innocent shrug in answer. What the
hell did she say to him? He looks like he's about to pop! "Yeah, sure. Are you sure
you're ready this time?" She asked, wanting no excuses for another loss after this. 
     Kaige closed her eyes, since it wasn't a real fight, and she knew where her
opponent was anyway. She had found out that she could move faster like this, but
wouldn't be foolish enough to close her eyes in a real fight. Her arm twitched in
movement of a draw.
     And it only twitched. Cause she had heard a sound. A sound she knew well. It
was that of a hammer cocking back. She slowly opened her eyes, seeing the nose
of a barrel almost press against her forehead. No way! No one's that fast! She
thought, looking past the barrel, into amused ice-chip blue eyes. She let go of her
handle, letting it fall, what mere centimeters it moved, back into the holster.
     The gun fell out from in front of her face at that moment and she watched Jason
give it three quick spins around his finger, then sink it home into the holster. Her
head snapped to Robby. "Robby! Did he cheat?!" she asked.
     "'Fraid not, child," He said in a low wondrous voice. Never, in the life of me
have I ever, seen a hand move that fast. He thought.
     "Well, I'll be darned. I guess it is possible after all," Alex said with such an
innocence that Kaige shot daggers for looks at her.
     "What'd you say to him?" she asked in a low and dangerous, well, dangerous
for friends, voice.
     "Wouldn't you like to know!" Alex said, then the twelve-year-old actually
stuck her tongue out at her. Ha! Just thought you were slick. She thought smugly.
     "You threw the first match! Why?!" Kaige asked Jason in an upset voice. She
wasn't very happy.     
     "Looked like it meant more to you than it did to me," Jason replied. "Sorry," he
said in a sincere voice.
     "Alright, alright. But why did you challenge me again?" That was more
important to her than losing, she didn't know why though. "What made you want
to move that fast?"
     Jason just looked past her and at Alex. "I want my prize, Angel," he said with a
smirk. Which turned into a warm smile when Alex walked over and planted a
feather-light kiss on his cheek.
     I have been well and truly had, set up by my best-friend, and bested by a boy, a
boy that I underestimated . . . Kaige thought. But her worse thought was a simple
one. And I got jealous over Alex getting to kiss him first, even if it was a childish
kiss. After mentally berating herself, she took a chance look at Robby and winced.
He was most certainly not proud of her, there was a slightly disappointed look on
his face. She would have felt better if he would have yelled at her. Kaige really
hated disappointing the old man.
     Kaige looked sheepishly and shyly, under ordinary circumstances this was not
how she would have acted, over at her friend and her new room-mate. "I apologize
for my behavior," she said, looking at Alex then at Jason. She also looked up at
Robby, who was nodding his head in approval of her apology. 
      Kaige then looked directly at Alex. "Angel, may I borrow your new friend for
a few minutes, to show him around and tell him the rules of the West Cabin?" Just
can't help getting in the last shot can you? She thought with a little humor.
     Alex did not give her a snappy come-back, and she knew many, for one simple
reason: She felt guilty. She had bribed Jason to beat her friend just for childish
gain. "Go ahead, I'm gonna go see if I can't swipe a snack from the cook, I'm
starving," she replied with that beautiful laugh that Jason had grown accustomed
to, in the short time he had known her. "I'll see ya in a few, Jase," She said, using
his nickname.
     Jason gave her a polite nod. And then was left standing next to the girl that he
had drawn down on just minutes before. "I take it you're the boss of the West
Cabin?" he asked, looking intently at Kaige. He also took off the gun belt and
handed it back to her.
     Kaige took the gun belt and Jason and she walked over to the porch to set it
back down. "I need that key old man," She said with a twitch of a smile.
     "Aye," he said and took off the chain around his neck, which held a key and
handed over to his beautiful young pupil. Then he looked at Jason. "Boy, you have
got the fastest hand I have ever seen. But can you draw side-armed?" Robby
asked, his voice was full of youthful curiosity despite his age. 
    "Side-armed?" Jason asked. What does he mean `side-armed'?
    "Aye, I'll take that as a no," The old man said with a twitch of a smile. "You
know what to do, Kaige, so get on with it. I have to go see the Missus about
supper," he added, getting up and walking in the direction Alex did.
     "I ask again, are you the boss of the West Cabin?" Jason asked with a little
charm to his voice.
     Kaige looked at him, she hadn't missed the charm in his voice. Cool, at least I
know he notices me. She thought with satisfaction. "The West Cabin has no boss.
If you mean, do I give orders? Yeah, but I get them from the old man first,"
     "Hey, listen, I'm really sorry for throwing the first match . . . It just looked like
you wanted to when so bad," Jason apologized again in a slow voice. She has
pretty eyes. He thought when she looked into his.
     "Relax, there is no need to apologize. I was being childish and arrogant. I
should have known better," She said with a curt nod.
     Childish? Arrogant? Do they teach us to talk like this here? Jason thought, but
dismissed it. "Well, I'm sorry anyway," he said with a chuckle. "Lead the way."
He nodded towards the West Cabin, which was about two hundred yards from the
main house.
     "Whatever you say, Cutie," she said, missing the shocked look on Jason's face
when she started to walk.   
     Is she flirting with me? He thought. The thought more than flattered him.
"Whatever you say," he repeated, walking slightly behind Kaige. He noticed that
she wore her pants fairly tight. They showed the shape of her bottom quite well.
"What's the key for?" he asked out of curiosity.
     "You'll find out soon enough," she said simply. Then asked herself I wonder
how the rest of the girls will react around him?

******************

The West Cabin was fairly large. There was just one hitch though: It had no
separate rooms in it. It did however, have five dressers and ten bunk beds though.
The bunk beds were against the east wall and the dressers were against the south
wall. On the north wall, there was a large safe, much too large to pack off without
the help of several people.
     There was a large dining room table that was in the middle of the room. It had
ten chairs around it. Robby had told himself that he would teach no more than ten
kids at a time. But he usually ended up teaching less. But he liked being prepared
anyway.
     Jason and Kaige walked into the West Cabin quietly. Both were thinking.
Kaige's mind was on the business at hand, and Jason's mind was wondering what
Kaige was up to. His twelve-year-old mind would not let him brag to himself
about being faster than she was. His twelve-year-old mind thought that it was
normal. After all, he was a boy and she was a girl.
     He watched as she swayed over to two different lamps. She lit both with the
same match. They had to use lamps because there were no windows in the cabin.
"Why ain't there no windows?" Jason asked.
     "Bullets can go through windows," Kaige answered, her voice stated the fact as
if the answer was obvious.
     Kaige then walked over to the large grey safe that was against the wall. One
needed a key to open it, and then they needed to know the combination. Kaige
alone, was privy to the combination. "There's a few things we got to get straight,"
she said, using the key on the safe.
     "Yeah?"
     "We have rules at Cougar Ranch . . . And in this cabin," she said, turning the
combination knob carefully, with her back to Jason, which was no coincidence,
and opened the large door.
     "And they would be?" She's acting so serious now. He thought. This must be
her strictly business act.
     When Kaige turned around, she had a gun belt in her hand with two guns in it.
"First rule, put these on," She said with a sultry smile. He is just too cute for
words! What am I saying?! Oh, just admit it, you like him.  She thought.
     Even though Kaige's smile was most appealing, Jason still dragged his eyes
down to the guns in her hand. The belt and holsters were made out of rich black
leather, and the handles of the two .45 caliber Colts both looked like shiny white
ivory. But most of all, they both look very new. "These are your's to keep," she
added.
     Jason looked at her with disbelieving eyes. These had to have costed a fortune!
He thought as he took the rich black gun belt from Kaige. He slipped it on and
buckled it, noticing that the leather was cut so that one of the white ivory handles
askew and across his middle lower stomach. "I don't know what to say," Was all
he could say.
     "Oh, don't worry, you'll earn 'em. Robby's kids, meaning us, only get an
allowance of three dollars a month. We work and train for our room and board,"
she said, then walked over to one of the dressers.
     Damn. I can't believe how lucky I was to almost die of thirst. He thought,
giving a smile the size of Mexico.  "So, what's next boss lady?" he asked with wry
humor.
     She stopped before she opened the dresser drawer and gave him a serious look.
"Number one: I ain't your boss. And as for what is next, I want you to go over to
that wash basin," she pointed her finger, with a small grin on her face, at the basin
in question, that was sitting against the wall. "And wash your face, hands and
arms. We'll worry about the rest of you . . . Later,"
     Whoa. What did that mean?? What ever it meant. It sent chills down Jason's
spine. "All right," he said and walked over to it just as he asked. He looked down
at himself as he walked. He was completely covered in dirt. His shirt, which was
white before, was now a light brown.
     I might as well take it off. He thought, and did just that. The water basin was
filled with clean water, amazingly. He took the wash cloth that was on its edge and
soaked it in the water. Then he started to scrub his hands and arms. Ah, the hell
with it. He thought and just stuck his whole head under the water.
     He scrubbed his whole head with the rag, including his face while under the
water. Jason then came back up with a gasp of air. He grabbed a towel then and
scrubbed until he was completely dry, then he chanced a look at the mirror. I guess
I look cleaner. He thought wryly.
     Kaige watched him as he turned around, she had a pair of pants and a shirt for
the boy. Wow. He's even cuter clean . . . And he is the most cut twelve-year-old
I've ever seen. She thought. Looking at the six-pack of Jason's abs. He was also
very tanned. That's what made his eyes stand out in stark contrast.
     Jason looked up at Kaige, a very flushed Kaige, and actually thought something
was wrong with her. "Is something wrong?" His voice sounded worried.
     "N-N-No. Here, I got you some clean clothes. Put 'em on," She said, handing
them to him. "Don't worry, I won't peek," She added. But Ohhh, how I would like
to. She thought with a chuckle. 
     Whatever. He thought. And then had to go through the process of undoing his
new gun belt and gently lay it on the floor. He got dressed in the black button-up
shirt and black pants as fast as he could. At twelve, he was still a little embarrassed
about undressing in the presence of someone.
    After he was fully dressed and had his gun belt buckled down, he looked at
Kaige's back. Her neck was still flushed. Am *I* doing that? Nah, don't flatter
yourself Jason. He thought. "Ok, you can turn around,"
     "Wow," She said before she could stop herself. He looks like a new person.
Dangerous. Intense. Fearsome . . . Sexy. The last thought came unbidden. "You
look all right now," She said with a nod. She also shook her head a bit, trying to
clear it, while she walked back over to the safe. She reached in and grabbed four
boxes of shells, walked over to the table, set them down, then walked back over to
the safe.
     When Jason watched her walk back over to the table for a second time, she was
carrying two more boxes of shells and a 30-30 lever-action rifle, that looked new.
"These are yours too," she said as she took a seat at the table. "Take off your gun
belt, load the spare bullet holders, .45's, and the rifle," she said with a curt nod.
"And sit down so I can talk to you while you do it," She added.
     "Sure," he agreed amiably. He took the belt off, again, and laid it on the table,
taking a seat just as Kaige did. He pulled out one of the Colts from it's holster and
looked it over. It looked completely new . . . Save one thing. The sights were filed
down on it. He looked at Kaige quizzically.
     "Gives ya about an eighth of a second more speed when they're like that," she
said simply. "Not that you need it," She added with a light laugh.
     Jason had the good grace to blush a little at that. "Is this the part where you tell
me the rules?" He asked as he popped open the cylinder of the gun and started to
load it.
     "Yep. The jobs of the West Cabin are simple. We look after Robby's herd of
cattle and horses. We practice with our weapons and we practice English,
mathematics and reading," she said, taking out her own gun and replacing the
bullet she fired earlier.
     "Why all the fire power, and why are you guys worried about bullets coming
through windows?" he asked, snapping the cylinder shut on the first gun. He put it
back in its holster and took out the second.
     "There's another ranch about ten miles south that don't like Robby that well. I
guess you could say that Robby is the big man around these parts," she said,
sliding her gun back in its holster. "They're jealous. And they tend to cut the herd
sometimes . . . And sometimes they shoot at us for fun. So, yeah, we like to stay
prepared," she said smugly. 
     Oh. So there's the down side. Getting shot at. He thought wryly, continuing to
load his gun. MY gun. He thought with a satisfactory smile. "Well, if that's it,
Angel was right. I'm gonna love it here," He said, slapping the cylinder of the gun
he was holding shut with a jerk of the hand.
     "There is just one other little detail," Kaige started, glad that Jason said that he
was gonna love it here, even though she told him that he might get shot.
     "And that would be?" he asked, starting on the rifle.
    "You're the only boy living in the West Cabin," She almost laughed, almost,
when Jason's hands stopped dead in motion, with his eyes growing like saucers.
Well, I'd say that surprised him. She thought with a light laugh. "You have a
problem with living with five girls?"
     "P-P-Problem? N-No, no problem," he choked out. Did God decide to shower
me with luck or what?? Jason thought wildly. "Nope, none," he said, regaining his
composure. 
     He looked like he was about to pop! Boys. She thought wryly. Then she heard a
growling. At first she didn't know what it was, she looked at Jason, who had just
finished loading his gun belt and heard it again. "Is that your stomach?" she asked
with a small giggle.
     Jason looked a bit sheepish at that moment. "Yeah, I guess it is,"
     "When was the last time you ate?"
     "'Bout three an' a half days ago," He said quietly.
     "Jesus Jason! Ya shouda said. I would have fed ya first!" She said with
exasperation. 
     "I didn't wanna to be a bother," he said with a sheepish shrug, laying down the
rifle.
     "Well, they should bring food out here in about ten minutes. We usually don't
eat with the rest of the kids. But if you want, we can go to the kitchen now." Damn
it! I should have known. Alex told me he was laying on the edge of the back forty
half dead from dehydration! Kaige chastised herself.
      "I'll wait," he said with a rakish grin. "So, when do I get to meet the rest of the
girls?" he asked with a wicked grin.
     "Get that grin off your face!" She barked with a laugh. "These girls ain't used
to boys of your talent and looks and I will not have you takin' advantage of 'em,"
Kaige went back over her words and kicked herself. "I-I mean . . . Well . . ." Now
she was blushing.
     Jason couldn't help but to feel a little smug, just a little. "I promise I'll be
good," he said and laughed out loud.
     Now Kaige, is it him you don't taking advantage of them, or them you don't
want taking advantage of him? Tell the truth and shame the devil! She thought,
and had to giggle at the thought and at Jason's reply. "You'll meet 'em at supper,
they never miss a meal," she said, answering his first question.
     Jason stood up and put on his gun belt again, hoping he wouldn't have to repeat
the duties of taking it off again for a while. "Can't wait," he said with a polite nod,
sitting back down.
     A question came to Kaige's mind then. "Why do you call Alex `Angel'?"
     "Long story,"
     "I got time," 
     And so, Jason began to tell her as they waited on dinner.


*****************


Jason put his new rifle and spare bullets under the bed Kaige had assigned him.
The bed just happened to be the furthest away from where the girls slept. Jason
thought he couldn't get no happier than he was. He had three brand new guns, a
dresser full of new clothes and was getting to live with five girls.
     The girls. Jason was very pleased with the girls. He thought that some of them
had to be ugly . . . Just going on the odds that not all girls were pretty. But, oh, was
he wrong. Jason was very pleased indeed, when he met the three girls he did not
know.
     They showed up at supper time, just like Kaige said they would. There was
another thing that Jason found odd. All of them had strange names for girls. He
had never heard of any girl being called by the names they went by. All five of
them amazed him.
     Their names were; Kaige, Alex, Casey, Josi, Terri and Lancy. And what was
more amazing, all of them were Americans. Kaige had told him before they got
there that all of them were wanted by the law for various reasons. But only two out
of the five girls in the West Cabin were wanted for murder.
     Jason wasn't really surprised when she said that she was one of the two.
Apparently Kaige had killed a man in east Texas for slapping her mother, and that
was on her thirteenth birthday. The man that slapped her mother was her father.
So, she ran like hell to Old Mexico. She ran into Robby in a town called Los Colos
when she stole a loaf of bread and got caught in the act. Robby paid for the bread
and brought Kaige to the Ranch.
     The other girl that was wanted for murder was Josi. Unlike Kaige, Josi had long
flowing brown hair. She kept it in a ponytail, though. She also had big, puppy dog,
brown eyes that Jason found cute as hell. Since she dressed in boys' clothes, Jason
couldn't really tell how her figure looked.
     Josi was thirteen, as were the rest of them, save Kaige and Alex. She was also
very mature. Or at least Jason thought so. Those pretty brown eyes held a solid and
steady gaze. She also maintained eye contact when she spoke. And when she did
speak, it was in a sure and firm voice. Jason appreciated that. Kaige had told him
in a `by-the-way' tone before the girls got there, that Josi was also the most
dangerous girl in the cabin. She was wanted on three counts of murder.
     Then there was Lancy. She was from south Texas and was wanted on four
counts of armed robbery. From what Jason could understand, she had picked up
with a gang of teenagers when she was twelve and just followed their lead. She
told him when dinner got started the gang got cut down by U.S. Marshals inside of
the cave they were hiding in. The only reason she lived was because they sent her
to get supplies in town.
     Just because she was American didn't mean that she was white. Her parents
were originally from old Mexico, but she was born in Texas and could speak
English just as well as Jason could. She thought she was as pretty as hell too.
    Lancy had long black hair that went down to about the middle of her back and
soulful ^spanish-brown eyes. She also had a quiet sweet voice. Or at least it was
quiet and sweet when she spoke to him. It was rather loud when she cut up with
her friends at the table.
     And then there were Casey and Terri. They were twins, no less. Identical, save
the hair. Casey had long, thick, dark-red hair, while Terri had hers cut short. Both
of their eyes were a beautiful shade of indigo though.
     They also acted different. Casey was shy and didn't talk much, while Terri was
loud and loved to tease. Terri also dressed in tight pants and had a rather large
chest for her age. Jason could tell it was large, because she was the only one
wearing a tight shirt. Her sister dressed in loose clothes.
     They were both wanted on charges of assault and battery. They had beat the
hell out of a seventeen-year-old boy with ball bats for raping one of their school
mates. It was a miracle that he survived, Terri had told him. 
     What had surprised Jason the most was that none of the girls were ashamed of
what they did. And most even bragged about it. Not that Jason thought it was a
bad thing they weren't ashamed, it just surprised him a little is all. But then he
stopped to think if he was ashamed . . . He could see where they were coming
from. That night, he thought he got to have dinner with the most dangerous girls in
Old Mexico. And he was probably right.
    You wouldn't know by lookin' at them though. He thought as he chewed on a
piece of bread. They were all around the table eating. The girls were laughing and
telling each other about their day. 
     "Hey Alex," Lancy started with some mischief in her eyes. "I heard somebody
actually thought of you as an angel. Say it ain't so!" Lancy said, giggling rather
loudly.
     Alex shot Jason a look that said, See what I mean? Then she looked directly at
Lancy. "Know what I heard? I heard a little Mexican girl is gonna get her ass
kicked tonight. Say it ain't so,"
     "Well you better get your hearin' checked girly, cause it ain't gonna happen!"
     "Girls! Girls! Settle down. Can't we have one night without an argument?
Jason, would you please pass the potatoes?" Kaige said, reaching out and grabbing
the bowl when he did as asked.
     "You wanna know what I heard?" Josi said in a low voice. All the girls looked
at her curiously. "I heard Robby talkin' to his wife,"
     "What`d he say?" Casey and Terri spoke in unison, with their indigo eyes full
of curiosity. 
      Josi turned her beautiful brown eyes on Jason. "That Jason here is the fastest
person with a gun he has ever seen . . . And that is including grown-ups," she said
with a little appreciation in her eyes. I know he has to be somethin', that old man
don't brag without a real good reason. She thought.
     They all turned their heads to look at Jason. Jason, who felt like crawling in a
hole in the ground. He didn't like that much attention. "Maybe he doesn't get out
much?" he asked lamely.
    They all broke out into laughter. Terri put her elbow on the table and looked at
Jason with playful challenge. When the laughter died down, she spoke. "Bet I'm
faster," she said, her eyes were playful, if not flirtatious.
    Should I call her, just for fun? Jason thought ruefully. They had all been sitting
around the table for about an hour. They had all loosened up around him quite
well. "Oh yeah?"
     "Yeah, I bet I'm faster," she repeated, this time with more challenge to her
voice.
     "Ohhhhh, I think you've just been challenged Jase," Alex said with wicked
glee. She darted a glance at Kaige, who was smothering a grin with her hand. Then
she looked back at Jason. "You're not gonna back down are you??" she asked him.
     "What are ya, chicken?" Terri asked in a playful tone, standing up from her
seated position to look down on him. He's sooo cute. She thought.
     I think I'll see just how far she wants to go. "If you're bettin', then there has to
be stakes. What are the stakes?" He asked, giving her a lazy, and a little flirtatious,
look. 
     By the tone of his voice, I'd say he thinks I'm cute too. She thought a little
gleefully. I have to come up with something good . . . Ah! Just then she took on a
coy look. "The winner gets a massage," She stated simply. "And the loser has to
give it without a shirt on, to the winner . . . In front of everybody. Its gotta last for
five minutes too!" she said a little triumphantly. She was just as fast as Kaige and
no one was as fast as Kaige, or so she thought.
     "Now that's what I call high-stakes!" Lancy said, giggling madly. 
     Couldn't be just one simple kiss could it?? Jason thought with wry humor. He
kept his face impassive though. But he didn't know that his eyes were twinkling.
He looked over at Kaige with an arch of an eyebrow. She just gave him a shrug
that said: Your call, not mine. Then he looked back up at Terri, into her eyes. He
could see that she really thought she would win.
     And that wouldn't exactly be a bad thing if she won, would it? No hardships in
giving her a rub-down. Nope. None. He thought with humor. Better give her one
last chance though. "Are you sure?"
     "Yep," Terri said with that same playful challenge in her eyes.
     "All right," he stated, then stood up from his seat. He gave Kaige a ghost of a
wink that said: Play along. "But go easy on me," he added, to Terri. Kaige choked
on her water for a second at that statement.
     "Not a chance," Terri said with a wicked grin.
     "Terri, are you really sure you want to do this?" Alex asked, trying really hard
to keep a straight face.
     "You betcha," She replied. "I'm gonna show this boy, that girls rule and boys
drool." Then she giggled again. 
     "Great, I came all the way out here just be made an example of," Jason said
with mock sadness as he walked to the middle of the room.
     Terri walked out in the middle of the room as well. "After I beat ya, I just want
ya ta know, you can't touch me in inappropriate places . . . Unless I say its ok,"
she said, trying to make him blush and succeeding immensely. 
     Alex got up and walked over to where Kaige was sitting and took a seat beside
her. She then leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What you think he's gonna
do?" she asked and leaned back.
     Kaige leaned in and whispered into Alex's ear for her, what she thought
obvious, answer. "Have you ever met a boy that would turn down being touched
for a whole five minutes?"
     "So . . . You don't think he'll have another cramp in his hand?" Alex whispered
back, tweaking her friend a little. Her friend in question gave her a dour look.
"Just kiddin'" she added with a giggle. 
     Terri stood about five-feet away from Jason, caressing the handle of her gun
with her middle finger. She looked her opponent over carefully. He was standing
in a taut way, as if he was on a hair trigger. "You're not gonna feel bad if I beat ya,
are you?" She asked. "Bein' as how I'm a girl and all," She added with an impish
grin.
     Jason was trying his best to look nervous. Have to put on a good show . . . His
thoughts trailed. "I'll try my best not to," he replied. "Who's gonna draw first?" he
then asked.
     Lancy jumped clear over the table, using her hands as a vault, and walked up to
them. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver coin. "I'll flip a coin.
Seein' as how you're new, you can call it, Jason," she said with a flirtatious wink.
"Are ya ready?" He nodded, then she flipped the coin in the air.
     "Heads," he said before she caught it.
    "Heads it is. So, it's you're call,"
    Jason looked into Terri's eyes. "You draw first," he said, putting on a warm
smile.
     I don't believe it . . . Just that smile gives me shivers. "Thanks," she said
simply.
     "No problem,"
     "Are you ready?" Terri asked, expectantly. Jason gave her a nod.
     Terri's arm twitched in movement and drew quickly. Much quicker than Jason,
or so it looked. She had her Colt out and cocked just as the tip of Jason's barrel
left its holster. "Looks like you owe me a massage, Blondie," Terri said in a very
smug voice.
     "Damn," he said, trying his best to sound disappointed. He looked over at
Kaige who looked like she was she was about to say something. He gave his best
puppy dog look. She looked like she was about to protest, then just sat back with a
huff. "I guess I do," he said to Terri, slipping his gun home.
     Back at the table, Josi was idly sopping up juice on her plate. Guess Robby
overestimated him. Hmph, that's a first. She looked over at Lancy and Casey, they
looked like they felt about the same way. In fact, Casey leaned over to her and said
"I thought you said he was fast,"
     "That's what Robby said . . . Guess he was wrong. I really was having a hard
time believing that a twelve-year-old boy could beat us anyway," Josi replied,
popping the bread into her mouth.
     Kaige was listening to all of this with a face of stone. They're making the same
mistake I did. It's just as well that Jason came here. We needed a reality check. In
fact, I think they need one right now. With that thought, Kaige stood up.
     "What are you gonna do?" Alex asked, looking at Kaige and then darting a
glance at Jason, who still stood in the middle of the room.
     "You'll see," she said with gritted teeth.
      Kaige walked to the middle of the room where Jason and Terri were standing.
Terri spoke to her with a smooth and smug voice. "Guess I get a massage . . . Huh,
Kaige?"
     Jason saw the look on Kaige's face. Uh-oh. Maybe I shouldn't have thrown the
match. She looks mad. He thought as she walked up to him, he noticed that she
ignored Terri's comment. "I know I told you I wasn't the boss. I know that," she
said that through gritted teeth. "But I am telling you to re-do this match . . . I mean
it. And this time DO IT RIGHT," She gritted out.
      "B-B-but . . ." Jason started.
      "What are you talking about, Kaige?" Terri asked, looking a bit confused, if
not irritated. He owes me a massage Goddamit. 
     Kaige gave her a cold look. "What do I mean? Draw him again! That's what I
mean," she barked, then looked back at Jason. "I know you're hung up on letting
us feel good about ourselves. And that's good, in a way. But lying is lying, draw
her again." Her eyes were a little softer when she said the last.
     "What?! Are you sayin he threw the match?! Bullshit, he drew, he got his gun
out of the holster!" Terri was a little angry at Kaige for thinking that this boy
could beat her. "Fine! We'll do it again!" she said, putting her hand on the handle
of the Colt.
     "Do it," Kaige said softly to Jason.
     Jason was frowning like a kid being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "If
you say so, Kaige," was all he said, turning back to Terri with a very relaxed
posture. His hand wasn't even on or near the white ivory handle of his gun. He
watched as Kaige stepped back to watch.
      Alex leaned over to where Casey was sitting. "Y'all watch this," she
whispered. Casey gave her a curious look. "Just watch real close." 
     Kaige was watching closely even though Alex did not tell her to. Jason, with
his new black clothes and white ivory handles, was standing in a relaxed, if not
sad, position. His hands were completely loose and at his sides. "Say when," he
told Terri.
     Terri moved her hand as fast as she could. And she even managed to make it
slide about a half inch in the holster, before she heard the cock of a .45 and Jason's
barrel pointed at her. "Shit!" Damn he's fast! Was her first thought. She would
have gotten mad that he had lied to her, but his eyes already said he was sorry. I
didn't hardly even see his hand move!
     Kaige then spoke up. She said what she said next because she was a `sort-of'
helper in teaching the girls how to fight. "Learn two things from this, ladies. One,
things are not always what they seem. And two, don't get over confident,"
     "Here, here," Josi said, looking at Terri. "Now, who owes who a massage?" she
asked her with a smirk.
     I have to take off my shirt in front of everyone. Terri thought with a groan,
blushing to the roots. "A bet's a bet," she said, starting to pull the tucked in shirt
out. She was surprised when Jason laid a hand on her arm. 
     "Not on the first date," he said teasingly. "I ain't gonna let you do it," he added.
I should really shoot straight when it comes to these girls . . .
     "Are you saying you're not gonna let her do it?" Kaige asked, slightly
impressed. I'll be damned, a boy with morals.
     Jason gave her a shrug and walked back to the table to sit down. "I'm a little
tired is all . . . The last three days have been . . ." He darted a glance at Terri, and it
surprised him to see a touch of disappointment there.
     "Ah, the man of steel does get tired," Alex said, she had a feeling that he wasn't
so much tired as trying to be polite. "We have a lot to do tomorrow anyway. One
of us will have to show you the ropes. You know were your bed is," Alex said. 
     "Thanks," He stated and stood back up, looking at Josi. "What do I suppose to
do tomorrow?" he asked. So, I ain't tired, but I know I could use the rest.
     "You'll see. Sweet dreams Jason Cutter," Kaige said for her, taking a seat.
     "If ya ask me, you should have gone to bed hours ago," Alex popped in.
     Jason just gave her a rueful smile. "Night ladies," he said and started for the
comfortable looking bed.
     

********************


The dream Jason had that night was something that he did not relish, to say the
least. It was filled with men being shot and killed, all by his hand. There were
dozens of them. All of them were calling him a murderer and saying that he was to
be hung.
     But the thing that shook Jason up the most wasn't the fact that he was shooting
them. It was the fact that he was laughing while he did it. He could see his ice-chip
blue eyes filled with a devilish delight. He killed dozens and he could not stop
himself from doing so. Then they screamed a name that he hated. Diablos. They
called him the Devil.
     What Jason did not know was that he had a spectator watching him dream. It
was two hours after sunrise, and Josi was assigned to show him the ropes. All the
other girls were out and about, doing their chores. Josi just sat in apt silence, her
Spanish-brown eyes raking over Jason.
     I can't believe he wore them guns to bed. She thought wryly. Jason did not use
covers either. All he did was lay down on the bed after he took his boots and shirt
off. Josi remembered that he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He's
cute when he sleeps. She thought.
     She watched him carefully, she really didn't want to wake him, but she knew
she had to. The only way you could tell Jason was dreaming was the fact that he
kept clinching and unclinching his fists and jaw. He's either having one hell of a
wet dream . . . Or a nightmare from hell. She thought.
     Josi moved closer to the bed. He was only on the bottom bunk so she had to get
on her knees. Well, she didn't have to, but she wanted to wake him gently. She
knew not to touch him though. I learned that lesson when I woke up Kaige while
she was in the middle of a nightmare.
     "Jason," she said in a low voice. "Jason, c'mon, wake up," That didn't do any
good. "Jason," she said a little louder. Still no answer from the sleeping form.
"Jason!" Josi said loudly.
     She never saw him move. It was just one second he was completely still with
his arms at his sides, then . . . Boom, she was staring down the barrel of a Colt .45.
"Fuck!" she yelped, leaping backwards from her kneeling position.
     Jason did not have one clue about where he was. All he knew in that moment,
was that he had a death grip on a large pistol, pointing it. His hand was trembling
in the slightest way and his eyes were wide. Then he started, finally, to put two
and two together. That and seeing Josi's face as white as a sheet helped a lot.
     Jason holstered his gun immediately. "Oh shit! Jesus, I'm sorry Josi," he
stammered out. Jumping out of bed and going to the girl that was on the floor. "I
am really, really . . ."
     "S'ok. I needed a good shock this morning. I was feeling a little tired . . . That
woke me right up," she said with a wry face as she got to her feet. "Jeez you're
fast," she muttered, dusting off imaginary dust from her butt and legs. This boy
could be real dangerous if he put his mind to it. She then thought.
     "Still, I'm real sor-"
     Josi just stuck up her hand. "Save it. We have a rule here. Never say you're
sorry. Just say `My bad' and move on. So save it. We have a lot to do today," She
said with a chuckle.
     Jason nodded his head and went over to the dresser, grabbing his shirt. He
figured it was still clean enough to wear. "What are we gonna be doing today?" he
repeated the question from last night as he put the shirt on. His hands were still
trembling a little bit. C'mon, Jason. Cut it the fuck loose, it was just a dream. He
berated himself.
     "First, we're gonna get you a horse. Then we're gonna ride around for hours so
you'll know the land Robby owns. Then we're gonna come back and Robby is
gonna talk to you," She said with steady brown eyes, watching him button his
shirt. Riding around with him shouldn't be a hardship. She thought with an inward
grin.
     "You're gonna give me a horse??" Jason asked, a little incredulous. "Jeez, you
guys already gave me a bunch of stuff," he added, tucking in his shirt and then
going for his boots.
     "Don't knock it, it comes with the job," Josi said. She felt about the same way
he did when she first got there.
     "Which brings me to my next question, what's the job?" he asked, looking at
her while he put the last boot on.
     "We guard cattle and horses. We also help out with anything around the ranch
that needs helping. And I do mean around, we don't do anything inside the ranch
house," Josi said in an even voice. And that is a good thing, because we'd
probably shoot the other kids. Snobby bastards . . . She thought. "Don't forget
your rifle," she said when it looked like Jason was about to say he was ready.
     Jason leaned over and picked his rifle up from under the bed. "Ok, am I ready
now?" he asked ruefully. 
     "As you can be. C'mon."

*********************

The stables were where all the people at Cougar Ranch kept their horses. It was a
large looking building that held about twenty horses. Josi and Jason walked at a
pace that ate up the ground to get there. They walked into the building and Jason
had one thought. It stinks in here.
     Josi read the look on his face like an expert. "You get used to it," she said as
she walked over to one of the stalls.
     Jason walked over to the stall with her and looked in. Inside was a beautiful
mare. She was midnight black with a streak of white on her chest. She also had
what looked to be intelligent eyes. The horse stomped her hoof a little as Josi
scratched her neck gently.
     "Hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of picking her for you. I broke her
myself," Josi said with a little bit of a smirk.
     "You break horses??" Jason asked, he was impressed.
     "Yeah, it's sorta a hobby," she said, reveling in the appreciation that was in
Jason's eyes. 
     "What's her name?" Jason asked, watching the horse bow her head and eat a
little of the hay that was on the ground.
     "She don't have one. She's your horse, you name her," Josi said. If there was
one thing she loved, it was to be the bearer of good news. The twinkle in her eyes
proved it.
     "Hmmm, how about Lightning?" The horse lifted her head and blew hay at
him. 
     Josi let out a giggle. "That's my thoughts exactly girl," she said, reaching over
and petting the horse's neck. "Why don't ya come up with something else Jase,"
     Great, now she's calling me `Jase'. He thought. It wasn't a bad thought. A
name . . . What's a good name? Maybe . . . "What about . . . Eris?" The horse
snickered with good nature. I think she likes it. He thought with a small grin.
     "That's an odd name . . . But beautiful. Where did you hear it at?" Josi asked.
She really thought it was a great name.
     "In Greek mythology books there is a tale of a beautiful mortal woman, that
Ares, the god of war, took for a mistress. Eris was her name," He said absently,
looking into the mare's intelligent eyes.
     Well, well. There's brains to go with that cuteness he has in abundance. She
thought with a bright smile, more than a little impressed. "Cool. Eris it is. Your
saddle is over there," She said and pointed to the object in question that was laying
by the wall.
     She thought ahead. He thought as he walked over and picked up the saddle. It
was complete with a saddle blanket and bags. He noticed that the bags even had a
place to run a rifle through so that a person could get to it easily. He walked back
over to the stall and Josi opened the stall door for him.
     Jason flopped the saddle down on his horse. My horse. My horse Eris. He
thought almost giddily as he knelt down to one knee to buckle the saddle down.
He strapped it down, then stood back up, leaning in near Eris' ear. "You're gonna
be a good horse, huh?" he whispered. The mare gave a nicker and stomper her left
front foot again. "That a girl,"
     "Awww, I think it's love at first sight Jase, I really do," Josi said with a laugh,
walking over to the stall next to Eris'. She led a tan stallion out of it. "This here is
Honey Bunch." Jason started to snicker. "Shut up! I lost a bet and had to name him
that."
    "Well, you can keep him. I think I'd take Eris here any day," he replied with a
smile the size of Mexico, he then bent over to pick up the thirty-thirty from where
he had laid it. He slid it through the loops that were on the right side of the saddle
bag. "Ain't that right girl?" He asked the mare.
     "Speaking of which, if I ever catching you hittin' that mare, I'll shoot you when
you ain't looking," Josi said with a serious, no nonsense voice. "That's one of the
things that me and the girls won't put up with."
     "You won't have to worry about that . . . Relax. I've never hit a horse in my
life." And that was the truth.
     "Come on, let's lead them out and you can see how she rides," Josi said,
nodding at the answer he gave in reply to her threat. She also smiled a little to
show him she wasn't in a bad mood.
     Jason gently scratched the side of Eris' face before he grabbed the reins. "Lead
the way," he said and led Eris out of her stall.

*****************


Jason was immensely pleased with Eris when he made the mare go into a full out
run across the plains. The plains were grassy. Nothing like where he collapsed and
Alex found him. I was so close to death it isn't even funny. He thought without
humor.
     After about five minutes of running the two horses hard Josi yelled at him to
slow down. Now they were at a slow gait. Josi looked over at the boy, neither of
them spoke for a few minutes. He looks content. She thought. She had a good side
profile of Jason. All of the sudden Jason laughed out loud.
     "What's so funny?" She asked, a little curious why the boy would laugh
without cause.
     Jason looked over at the girl he was thinking about, taking in her looks. She is
most definitely pretty. Jason thought. "I was just thinking about rotten luck," he
replied with a coy look.
     "Oh?"
     "Yeah, your luck isn't very good today," he said with a chuckle. "In fact you've
had bad luck by the bushels,"
      "What do you mean?" she asked, pulling the horse to a halt and looking at him
inquisitively. 
     Jason pulled his horse to a stop as well. "Well, the way I figure it, you either
got ordered, or drew the short straw, to show the newbie around. Then the Newbie
almost shoots you . . . I'd say that was rotten luck,"
     If you only KNEW how much the girls argued over who got to show you
around. Josi thought ruefully. "Hardly. I got picked cause I'm second in command
and Kaige had to go to town," she said, which was partly true. "I could've sent
someone else. As for almost getting shot? That's nothing new," she said with a
lopsided grin. "Besides, I almost got shot before I woke you up," she then added
with a coy grin.
     "Oh yeah?" Jason asked shifting in the saddle a little. His ice-chip blue eyes
were filled with curiosity.
     "Yeah, you have every girl in the West Cabin pining for ya. I was lucky to
make it out of the meeting alive," she had to laugh long and hard at the expression,
that was almost comical, on Jason's face. "You know, for some one so fast and
knows about Greek  gods and their mating habits, you can be pretty dense."
     Jason could feel heat that was very hot on his face and it had nothing to do with
the sun. Josi could see the blush clearly. She only smirked at it. "You see that
shade tree over there?" she asked, pointing a finger at the tree in question. It was a
large oak in the middle of the field. "Good. Let's go over there and talk. You look
like you're gonna overheat."
     "Thanks for the concern," he replied with playful sarcasm, sending Eris into a
gallop for the tree. He made it to the tree and hopped off the mare. Jason then sat
down with a thump on the ground.
     Options. I need options. I can fight, shoot, ride and cuss real well . . . But I ain't
that experienced in this area. Think Jason, that's all you have to do. You can
handle five girls . . . Who cares about the fact that you've never handled ONE
before Cougar Ranch. He thought the last sarcastically. Jason watched Josi as she
hopped down off of her horse and sat down beside him.
     She sat down so that she was only a foot away. "Jason Cutter, you look a little
spooked," she said coyly. "What's the matter?"
     "N-n-nothing," he lied. I should feel flattered. He thought with a frown. But
how in the hell am I supposed to play this?
     "What bothers you more? Is it the fact that five girls, that you now live with,
are pining for you . . . Or the fact that you don't know what the hell you're doin'?"
Josi took a guess on the last part. When she spotted a flinch at it, she almost patted
herself on the back. You are TOO good. She told herself. 
     "I know more than you think," Jason said defensively. He was lying, but he
figured he had better or he was going to look stupid. He looked directly into Josi's
eyes, but his eyes could not help but rake over the rest of her as well.
      She was wearing a dark-brown shirt that was just a tad tight. It showed off her
still growing breasts just a bit. Jason also noticed that she was wearing tighter
jeans than she was the night before. He had seen the look in her eyes in other girls'
eyes when they looked at men they thought were cute.
     "Uh-huh. Really? Tell me Jase, just how many girls have you kissed?" Where
are you taking this Josi?? You're walking a fine line . . . She thought maturely. But
then the giddy teenager mind took over. I wonder how far I can push him?? She
thought devilishly.
     Fuck it. If she shoots me over this, it'll be worth it. Jason thought. Then he
leaned in and grabbed Josi gently around the back of the neck. He pulled her lips
to his and began to go off the stories he had heard and read.
     Jason kissed her passionately, slipping his tongue in her for what he heard was
a French kiss. Jason laid his other hand on her side, giving a gentle caress. The
kiss lasted for at least a few minutes before he broke it.
    Jason moved away only a few inches and looked at Josi's now very flushed face
and her Spanish-brown eyes that were filled with lust. "How many? Counting you
. . . One," he whispered, letting his thumb caress her jaw line.
    "O-o-one?" she stammered. I just got kissed senseless by a rank amateur. She
thought. Her breathing was a little haggard. "You did all right," She understated.
"B-but I think you should try again," He's smirking and I don't even care. She
thought with a sigh.
     Jason just closed his eyes and gave her another deep kiss. Josi leaned in and
made it even deeper. She curled her fingers through the back of his hair, as she felt
his hands go from caressing her side, to moving up to her still growing breasts.
She moaned out when she felt his palms press against her hard nipples.
     "W-wait," she said, breaking the kiss and pushed herself backwards a little.
     "But I thought . . . I mean I assumed . . ." Jason stammered. What did I do
wrong?? Jason thought.
     "Oh, you assumed right lover-boy. I just want to get us more comfortable," she
replied jumping to her feet. (A little surprised she could, since her legs felt like
jelly.) "What are you waiting for? Get up and strip," she said, unbuckling her gun
belt and letting it fall. She saw a flash of uncertainty on the boy's face. "Don't
worry, we're far enough away from the ranch."
     I can't believe this! She actually wants to do this with me? Here? He thought as
he jumped to his feet, repeating Josi's action of letting his guns drop. Then he put
all of his attention into stripping. He had to commend himself on doing it so
quickly, he was pretty sure he set a record. 
     Apparently he was not as fast as Josi though, because when he finally looked
up, there she was in all of her glory. She was bare naked all the way down to her
bare feet. She had a lot more womanly curves than Jason was expecting for
someone her age.
     They both looked deeply into each other's eyes for a very long moment. God, I
hope I know what I'm doing . . . Jason thought, looking at the absolute beauty of
Josi's body. But what really turned him on was the so lustful look in her eyes.
Well, At least I know she feels the same way. He thought with wry humor. 
     Josi slowly lowered herself to the ground, never taking her eyes off the object
of her lust. When her eyes raked down his body and gazed at his stiff manhood,
she had one thought: My God! He's huge! Josi had seen her share of cocks in her
time, four to be exact. She was quite proud of that fact, but Jason was without a
doubt the biggest. It has to be at least eight inches long! 
     Jason watched as she Josi lay on her back, looking up at him with an expectant
smile. Her eyes were even more filled with wanton lust. Jason moved slowly to her
side, lowering himself to the soft grass of the plains.
     He was close enough so that Josi could slip her hand around the back of his
neck, drawing him closer. "Come here you," she whispered as she did so.
     Jason was all too happy to comply with her request, he slipped even closer so
that Josi's soft breasts were pressed against him. He slipped his hand down
between their body's as they embraced in another passionate kiss. His other hand
was gently caressing her left breast.
     "Mmmmm," Josi moaned into his mouth as his fingers found the core of her
wetness. It felt like her pussy was on fire. While this was happening, she was
stroking his hard cock.
     Jason knew that, without a doubt, he was going to blow if she kept fondling
him. So, he broke the kiss and started to give feather light kisses all the way down
to her breasts, then stopped to suck on her (what he thought) delicious nipples. But
her hand was out of reach of his manhood.
     Josi was now arching her back in pleasure. "Ohhhh," she moaned softly, feeling
the pleasure that Jason's mouth was giving her.
     Jason took the low moan as encouragement and moved lower, kissing his way
down her soft belly. He could feel her muscles spasm with each kiss as he moved
lower. The lower he moved, the more Josi writhed. Finally, his mouth found his
prize. 
     "Shiiiiit!" Josi screamed, wrapping her legs around Jason's head tightly. She
was almost in a state of euphoria. She was real close to cuming, but she didn't
want to cum this way.
     Josi grabbed a hand full of hair and pushed Jason away. Jason looked at her
with a face of confusion and desire. "I want you on your back . . . NOW!" she said
with a real husky voice. Her ^spanish-brown eyes were flashing.
     Jason thought it was amazing how quickly one could get on his back when
properly motivated. He was on his back very quickly, giving Josi the most inviting
look.
     Josi would have smiled at the look, but she was far too consumed by passion to
do so. Josi knew for certain that she never would have thought that she could
crawl as fast as she did to Jason. When she arrived, she straddled him with the
quickness of a cat.
     Jason watched in pleasure as her slender hand wrapped around his cock. Her
hand felt as soft as velvet. She was straddling him so that her overheated pussy
was just mere centimeters away from his hardness. She rubbed her swollen pussy
lips, once, then twice along the head of his cock. Then her ^spanish-brown eyes
locked with his ice-chip blue ones and she impaled herself upon him.
     "OHHHHHH GOD!" she screamed out. If she had any worries about being
caught (which she didn't) they were completely forgotten at that point.
     There was no slowness to her actions as she pumped her body up and down on
Jason's cock. Jason knew he was very close when he started to feel the Josi's wet
pussy start to clinch around his severely hard cock.
     He looked up at the lovely creature above him and saw that her body was
trembling. Also, it was covered in a light sweat. Jason felt for SURE that he was
going to cum first. But he was wrong. 
     "I"MMMM CUMMMMMIING!" Josi screamed very loudly. Her body almost
went in convulsions at that moment.
     The erratic spasm, and clinching sensation, around his cock was too much for
him to bear. He grabbed her waist and slammed her pussy down on his cock
roughly and let his cum pour. Every muscle in his body tightened.
     It was at that moment, that Josi fell to his chest in complete exhaustion. It was
all she could do to roll off Jason so that she was on her back, looking at the
cloudless blue sky. Her breathing was still very shallow.
     "Wow," she said in a hoarse whisper, her face was completely flushed. "That
just made me feel REAL stupid for say you didn't know what you were doing!"
she said with a tired giggle.
     "Then I take it I did all right?" he said, rolling over so that his elbow was on the
ground and his chin was propped in the palm of his hand.
     "Yeah, I guess you did all right," She said, gazing into Jason's eyes. Josi had
the look of a VERY satisfied girl. "But still, I'm thinking you could use a little
practice. I'd be MORE than glad to help." There was a devious look in her eyes.
     "Well, if you insist," Jason replied ruefully.
     I better get dressed, or I'll end up being here until night fall. She thought wryly.
"C'mon, lets get dressed . . . Not that I wouldn't like spending the rest of the day
here with you buck naked . . . But the girls might get upset," she said with a wink
and went to retrieve her clothes, on very shaky legs.
     Jason gave a mock sigh and stood up to do her bidding. As he was getting
dressed Josi said something that completely caught him off guard. 
     Josi gave him the MOST deviant look he had seen yet. "Just wait till I tell the
other girls what I did this morning," she said with pride.
     Jason stared speechless at her a few moments, very close to panic, then feigned
boredom. If she wanted to do that, he saw no reason why she couldn't. He just
hoped that it wouldn't bring him grief. He hoped that very badly. With that
thought he strapped down the last buckle of his holster.
     Josi, on the other hand, completely saw through his act. I can't believe it, he
really is scared! She thought wryly. Only if he knew . . . What the hell, I'll tell
him. "Um, Jase . . . There really is something you should know about the girls and
me," she started.
     "Yeah?" he asked in a neutral voice as he slipped on his last boot. Now he was
fully dressed.
     "Well . . . You see . . . We like to share," she said, taking a step in his direction.
     "Share?"
     "Yeah . . . EVERYTHING," she knew that he caught her meaning when his jaw
dropped.
     "Y-y-you mean . . ."
     "Yeah," she nodded solemnly.
     "Ya got that right, Jase," she said with another chuckle. "Come on, I still
haven't showed you all of the terrain I'm suppose to."
     Jason gave her his best smile. "If the terrain is as good as it's been so far . . . I
think I'll love it,"
     "Get your head out of the ditch. We have work to do," Josi said wryly and
jumped on her horse.
     "Whatever you say," he replied with a wink as he jumped into Eris' saddle.


*******************


     For the next four hours, Josi and Jason went over the land that he was suppose
to see. He would occasionally see one of the girls he saw the night before out on
horseback by a herd of cattle.
      Josi showed him the land that he would probably cover tomorrow. The jobs
she explained that he had to do did not seem that hard for him. They were certainly
worth room and board. The only problem he had that day was focusing on Josi's
words instead of her body. 
     It was noon-time when Josi had decided that they had seen enough. She looked
over at her new lover. Lover? Never thought I'd think of someone like that . . . She
thought wryly. But looking at his ice-chip blue eyes, she could guess the reason. "I
think we should head back and have some lunch . . . Besides, Robby wants to have
a chat with ya," she said with a nod, then took off in a gallop towards the ranch.
     "Yes Ma'am," he said with a chuckle and sent Eris' into a run.
     It took them almost an hour to get back to the Ranch. As they drew closer,
Jason watched as Josi pulled her horse to a stop. Her eyes were scanning the yard
intently. Her back stiffened. 
     "What is it?" Jason asked.
     "Trouble," she said through clinched teeth. "It's Conner's men. Looks like they
have that old fart from the bank with them, too," she replied. Her eyes were very
cold.
     Jason let his ice-blue eyes scan the area as well. In the yard, there were four
men. Two of them were holding rifles and were yelling. The other two had their
hands on the butts of their colts. All four were facing the old man and Casey, Terri
and Lancy. It looks like a damn stand off . . . He thought.
     Jason could not tell what they were saying, but he could tell the old man
(Robby) was yelling, and so were a few of the men. The girls were just standing
patiently with their hand on the butts of their guns. He watched as one of the men
said something to Lancy that made her flinch.
     Jason turned to Josi. "I think I've seen just about enough," he said with a
wicked look in his eyes.
     "Oh yeah," Josi grated out and they both took off in a gallop down to the yard.
     They both slowed to a slow gait as they got closer. The men in front of them
were so wrapped up in their argument, which had been reduced to name calling,
that they never noticed the teenagers sneaking up behind them.
    The girls did though and all three of them took on a shit-eating grin. This should
be interesting.They thought as one.
     The man in the lead was named John. He was a man in his late thirties and he
was the one that had the loud mouth. "Listen, old man. Unless you want a bullet,"
he stated and reached for the colt on his side and pulled it out. "You'll take the
offer,"
      Nobody but Josi noticed that Jason had slipped off his horse and moved to an
angle that wouldn't hit anybody if he shot at someone. But the rest of them figured
it out when a loud BOOM! went off and John, who was still on his horse, let out a
scream.
     "AGGGGHHHH," he screamed loudly, holding the hand that his gun USED to
be in. It was a bloody mess, with a large hole in it now. He looked to his right to
see a boy that was about twelve and had a look of coldness in his eyes that John
had rarely seen before.
     It was at that point that every person in the yard pulled a weapon. Now it really
WAS a stand off. Jason had two rifles aimed at him. Boy, when you mess up, you
do it right and proper. Jason thought wryly.
     "You're dead where you stand boy!" one of the men with the rifles screamed.
His resolve faltered somewhat though, when he realized four other guns were
turned on him as soon as the words left his mouth.
     For some reason, beyond any of the girls' knowledge, Jason took on a crooked
grin. His icy blue eyes were twinkling with mischief. Then he spoke. "Mister, if
you and your friends here don't back off, I swear by God and everything that's
holy . . . I'll put you in a hole so deep that the Almighty won't be able to find ya."
His voice was calm, if not amused, when he spoke those words.
     "Why you cocky little bast-" The man started, but was cut off by one of the
men that wasn't holding a rifle.
     "I didn't want it to be this way, Robby. But, if that's the way you want it . . . So
be it," He said. Then looked at the girls and then Jason. Then he looked at his
friends. "Let's go boys. The smell of these trashy kids is making me nauseous."
The man said, making a disgusted face.
     One by one they all lowered their weapons. And followed the person that was
the apparent leader, off the Ranch and down the trail. The man Jason threatened
was giving him a look that promised future visits, as he cradled his crippled hand.
     All of them watched as the men road out, and kept watching until they were
nothing but specks in the distance. Robby looked over to Jason at that moment
with a rueful smile. "Never a dull moment at Cougar Ranch, huh Boy?" He said
with a dry chuckle. 


******************************************************************

Please write and tell me what you think and tell me if the story is worth
continuing. :)

     


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