Dear readers, The following story is a little different from my usual writing as it is set in a different time and place, and if you decide to read through all the chapters, you will find a few little twists that I hope will be both exciting and unexpected. With that said, please enjoy:
Chapter One: Love Rides Up
A light cool spring rain had begun to fall as Josh reined in his steed and dismounted under the lean-to at the edge of one of his groves of apple trees.
"We'll just sit out this little cloud burst here for awhile." Josh stroked the neck of Hermes. "It doesn't look like it will last all that long."
Josh sat down on the bench under the lean-to as Hermes walked a little further into the grove to the younger trees where the fruits would be sweeter and moister.
"Don't eat too many ole boy," Josh told Hermes as he watched him grab onto a branch with his teeth and shake the apples loose so they fell to the ground. "Leave some for the workers to pick."
Josh reached into his vest pocket, pulling out a sterling silver cigarillo case he flipped it open and pulled one out with his lips. Striking a match against his belt buckle he touched the flame to the tip and drew a long steady stream of air thru the cigarillo.
"Ah," Josh sighed as he exhaled the aromatic smoke. "Those boys in Virginia know how to make a good smoke."
Josh leaned back, lowering his hat so the front brim shielded the sun from his eyes and enjoyed his smoke. A rainbow had formed on the eastern horizon; Josh tipped his hat up to marvel at the colors contained in the beautiful arc bisecting the faint blue hue of the afternoon sky. As he did, he noticed off in the distance, a loner rider approaching.
"Now who do you think that could be?" He asked turning to Hermes. He didn't expect the horse to answer; it had just become second nature for Josh to talk to his steed as if he were human. With all the time they spent alone together it was comforting to Josh to think Hermes understood what he said. Hermes shook his head and whinnied, as if to say, 'I don't know.'
Josh pulled out his Ivory handled Colt and rechecked to make sure it was fully loaded, he re-holstered the pistol and stepped to the edge of the lean-to, where he was still being protected somewhat from the rain, but out in the open enough for the rider to see him as he approached. Who was this lone rider riding across his range? Maybe it was a messenger from town? Maybe it was an agent for one of the buyers of his produce? He wasn't expecting visitors today, and not knowing who it was; he figured it would be best to be prepared for the worst.
"Hermes." Josh called out. The horse stopped eating and walked to his side. Josh gathered the reins in his left hand. It was best to have his trusty steed in hand for a couple reasons. If the rider decided to run after being confronted, he wanted Hermes at hand, both to be able to mount and give chase, but also to be nearer to his rifle to be able to take the rider from his saddle swiftly and justly.
The rider approached at a full gallop, the light easy rain having turned into a true downpour, and upon seeing Josh standing at the edge of the grove reined his horse in Josh's direction. He slowed to a canter as he neared, then to a walk before reining in his horse a few feet from the apple trees.
"Afternoon Sir." The rider said as he tipped his Stetson to Josh. "Would you be the owner of this land?"
"That I would be," Josh answered as he rested his hand loosely on the butt of his revolver. "Josh Lawton's the name. And just whom would you be?"
"Tobias is the name," The rider said. "Tobias Carter. Mind if I dismount and join you out of the rain?"
"Yes do," Josh said motioning the young man under the lean-to. "Pardon my manners. It's just I don't get many visitors out this way."
"Thank you kindly Sir," Tobias said as he dismounted and walked his horse under the trees. "It didn't seem like it was going to be such a strong cold rain when it started."
"No, no it didn't." Josh replied, looking up towards the sky. "I'm guessing it won't last long though, the sun has already broken free and the clouds seem to be dissipating."
Josh watched as Tobias tied his horse to one of the trees then stepped under the lean-to, removing his Stetson and letting flow his long blond locks. As Tobias removed his now drenched ankle length duster to reveal the lean body of a young farm hand, he turned and faced Josh.
"I thank you kindly for the hospitality, so to speak." Tobias said as he shook his head to shake off any wetness the rain had caused.
Josh gazed upon Tobias, it was as if what he was watching was happening in slow motion. The rain droplets flew in every direction as Tobias shook his head back and forth. The rainwater seemed to flow down the length of Tobias's long golden locks then leap to life as they flew from his head. When Tobias looked up, Josh found himself looking into the bluest eyes he had ever seen. They were surrounded by the most beautifully tanned smooth face and cherry red lips that looked like they belonged to an Angel.
