Headstall

Thanks, bro. I'm out of my paddock and back on the wide open range. Yee Haw! Got my spurs on and my rope ready. Cheers!

Thanks, Mark! great to 'see' you again. I'm looking forward to seeing how readers react to this one. Hopefully, it won't disappoint. See you Monday, friend. Cheers... Gary

Thanks, buddy. It's good to be back, though I never really left. I'm excited for another journey too. There is always trepidation for each new story I post, but you folks usually make me feel pretty darn good about my choices. Fletcher and August definitely have a history, one of adversity from the sounds of it. Is that about to change? I can say without giving anything away that Albert Cooley is a nasty man. Was he always this way? Time will tell, but I do feel sorry for August, a man who wouldn't twist Fletcher's arm that extra inch, that had remorse for his sheep, and that wouldn't lie when faced with what might have been one of the worst moments of his life. There is character there, good character. One more thing, my friend. Is it the sheep that is the problem for Albert, or is it the man who owns them? Yes, this story can go so many ways, which is what makes writing such a delicious endeavor... a challenge to find a path through the possibilities. Thanks again, kind sir. See you next Monday. Cheers! Gary

Howdy, folks!

Well, that's as clear as Drewth.

This is an Old West Tale, but no, it is not a part of the Sidewinder books. I hope you can check it out.

Thank you, Albert. I'm not as quick as I used to be, but I got it done.

Thanks, my friend. There is certainly some attraction on August's part, but yeah, he's messed up. We hear the story from his point of view, but Fletcher's actions and words indicate he is searching for something, a sign at least, from August. We don't know what Fletcher's father is like yet, but without a doubt, August's father is mean AF. Maybe we'll find out why. Glad you are coming along for the ride... I hope you find it a satisfying one. Cheers! Gary

Hi, Albert. This is quite the comment. Thank you. There's a lot to consider in this chapter, I believe. Yeah, the spat over the river was only the tip of the iceberg for these two men, and it only builds higher from there. As much as there is animosity, there appears to be some hints of a mutual respect. Without honesty though, it remains to be seen whether this is just another tussle between them. Cheers! G

I finally got it done. "Roping the Moon"

My bear brother, I weep too, for you and your mum. I remember some of the anguish we must go through as we face the future. I often felt powerless, dealing with my brothers and sister those times. The stress was very real. Be kind to yourself, dugh. You are a great son. We all see that. It won't be easy, but I have no doubt you will always do the right thing. God bless your wonderful mother. She's brought joy to my life, just hearing her mentioned from time to time. I thank you for lending her to us... to me, and I hope she rallies.

"You can never trust a Crawley." Those were Albert Cooley's words to his sons, spoken every chance he got, and August did his best to do what was expected of him after his ma passed. The Crawleys and the Cooleys were ranching families, and they didn't mix, not ever, but more and more, August had a problem with letting his father decide everything for him. Was Fletcher really his enemy? Could he trust the man he'd butted heads with over and over, one he'd known pretty much his whole life? All he knew for certain was he was tired of all the conflict, and needed his life to change before he exploded. That's where his Gran came in.

Enemies? This overhead sun could blister skin if’n a man weren’t paying mind to it, even such what be tanned from years of chasing ornery cattle what always took the wrong way given a choice. Sometimes seemed their whole purpose on this land was to flatten as many fences as they could, causing August Cooley nothing but trouble. And lately he’d been the one relegated to handyman, the ranch fixer toiling away while his older brother rode the range and bossed the hired hands.

Hey, all!

You'll always be the one, spikey... in Drew's heart.

Good. Just finished writing the epilogue, and now I am back to editing. Lots of tedious hard work ahead with word choice and overall flavor, sentence structure, and continuity, but it is the key to the authenticity readers enjoy... and hopefully expect from my work.

Hello, all.

Yes.

Happy Weekend, friends!

@Albert1434. I hope you are well.

His face is one of the few things that isn't wrong.

Honey, I said I felt cheap, not that I was cheap.

Hey! What the hell? I feel so cheap now.

Proud of you, Tink! Truly outstanding instincts.