The Rancher’s Daughter
Carr wandered across Thomson’s fields. The moon was bright enough to fully illuminate the scenery. It was so bright, in fact, that the stars were hardly visible, drowned out by the pale moonlight. He watched a few dark shapes flying across the sky. Bats. He’d spotted several bat houses around on trees across the ranch. He’d once thought it was dumb to attract bats but had then since realized that the bat houses were to keep bats out of the houses where humans lived. That, and to keep the insect population down.
He was attempting to induce his elusive sleep through a leisurely walk, but a shape crept across the field. He jumped behind a nearby tree to watch the human figure move in the direction of the house and the barns. It was difficult to make out, but the person was lean and wearing a baseball cap. Carr crept along the tree line, watching. There was something off about this person. They walked with shoulders back and seemed to avoid every pothole, pitfall, and obstacle in the field. Carr would have assumed they’d work here, but the build of this figure was very different from that of the other ranch hands. What could they need in the middle of the night?
He debated what to do for a minute when the figure disappeared into the barn. He knew where all the entrances, exits, locations of the tools, turns, and corners were. He’d have the upper hand if he chased this person in the barn. He’d also been in his fair share of tussles as a kid, and as an adult, though he hoped it didn’t come to that.
He crept into the barn and spotted the figure wandering with a flashlight. He caught sight of a long ponytail before she turned the corner. She definitely didn’t work at this ranch. She walked quietly enough, and she most likely would have gotten away with whatever she’d been about to do if he hadn’t been outside.
Carr grabbed a pitchfork off the wall. He didn’t think he’d use it, but it would definitely help with the menacing aspect. Knowing she was at a dead end he followed her and shouted, “Hey! What are you doing?” The woman spun around, shining the flashlight directly in his face. Though momentarily blinded, “I’m the one holding a pitchfork, you’re better off just telling me what you’re doing here.”
The girl threw on a light switch he hadn’t known was there. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but when they did, he laughed. “Kashi? What the hell are you doing breaking into Mr. Thomson’s barn? There’s nothing to steal.”
She rolled her eyes. “I have more of a right to be here than you genius. Mr. Thomson is my dad.”
He raised an eyebrow. “But you look— Well, you’re—”
“I’m what? Not white?” she laughed in good humor, obviously having received this reaction before. “Have you heard of something called adoption? My mom met my dad and had Felix.”
“Felix is your brother?” Carr asked, feeling stupid as soon as he asked the question. “Well, I mean…”
“Yeah, I get what you mean.” Kashi said, clicking the flashlight off. “No, my biological mom and I moved to the United States a few months after I was born. I think dad told me she was from Egypt. Then she met your Mr. Thompson here and they had Felix. We’re half siblings. My mother was killed in an accident right after Felix’s birth.” She turned towards a large old dresser behind her, looking through a drawer.
“Sorry Kashi, I didn’t realize—”
“No, don't be. I wasn’t even five years old. I don’t remember her. Honestly, I miss my stepmom much more. I do remember her.” Kashi pulled an envelope from the drawer and shoved it into her backpack.
“Can I ask what that is?” Carr asked, setting the pitchfork down as they turned to leave the barn.
“Nope.”
He blinked in surprise, but smirked. “I liked the Kashi I met at that dance better.” Maybe he could draw out that flirty personality once more.
“Well, that Kashi didn’t have as much to worry about.” She said, shooting down his hopes instantly. “This Kashi has work tomorrow in the morning and needs to get going.”
“Can I give you a lift home?” he offered.
She looked like she was ready to consider it but said, “I work for someone real close by. Besides, I like to go for long walks. It’s only a couple miles when I take a shortcut. Just do me a favor and don’t tell my dad I went by.”
“Why not?”
She stopped and turned around a look of half amusement and half indignation on her face. “What do you mean, ‘Why not?’ Because it’s not a hard request.”
“Yeah, but I feel like there’s more to this.” He goaded, trying to contain a smirk. Before she could protest, he continued. “Let’s make a deal, you give me your number, and my lips stay sealed.”
Her brow furrowed, but at the slight twitch by the corner of her lips he could tell that she was trying not to smile. “Fine. Number it is. Give me your phone.” After he obliged, she punched the number in and handed it back.
He hit the call button as soon as she returned his phone. To his pleasant surprise, her phone lit up in her pocket. He raised his eyebrow. “I thought you’d put in a number to the nearest pizza place or something.”
She laughed. “Whatever. Just don’t abuse it, alright?”
He smirked. “Sure thing, Kashi.” He watched her turn and walk back down through the field. Her number was an absolute score. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t asked for it at the dance and it was so lucky for him to finally run into her. Walking back to his quarters, he couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on his face. Maybe now he’d finally get to sleep.