The Name Game by EM

Word Count 1,230

(Originally posted January 1, 2005)

.

Murdoch stopped at the overlook for a moment to take in the

breathtaking view of his ranch.  His tall white adobe home stood out

in contrast to the lower slung barns and corrals.  Squinting just a

bit, he could make out the herd of cattle in the foreground which

looked as small as ants from his vantage point.   With a chirp and a

slap of the lines, he had Zanzibar back into a steady trot. Both of

them eager to get home after a hectic week in Sacramento.

As the house came into sight, Murdoch allowed his buggy horse to

extend its trot and the horse pricked his ears in anticipation of

being home.  They flew under the arch and across the wooden bridge.

Murdoch slowly pulled back on the lines to slow the gelding down and

carefully maneuvered around the back corner of the house to pull up

just as Scott came out of the house to meet him.

He smiled at his oldest as Scott reached out a hand to Zanzibar’s

harness to steady him. “Hi Murdoch. We weren’t expecting you until

this afternoon.”

“I got an early start and we moved right along.  I think this horse

was as happy to get home as I was.”

They both looked up as they heard a whistle, “Hey Murdoch, you’re

back.” Johnny sidestepped his palomino horse next to the

buggy. “How’d it go? Did you make a deal with them?”

“Everything went fine son.  I’ll tell you more later, but for now, I

just want to get out of this buggy and wash off some of the trail

dust.” He gestured to his bags and some boxes in the back of the

buggy. “You boys’ll take these in for me won’t you?”

“Yes sir.” Scott responded as he reached for a leather valise.

Murdoch walked into the house as Johnny untied the straps holding the

boxes down. “He seems to be in a good mood.”

Scott looked up for a moment and then to the house where the door

closed with a click. “Yes he does actually.  I guess the meeting with

Napier, Coultons, and Pierpoint went well.”

Scott had a bag in each hand and he waited until Johnny had the

packages well in hand before heading for the house.

---

“Where do ya want these packages Murdoch?” Johnny asked as he pushed

the front door closed with his foot.

“Put them on the table. I’ve got something I think you’re going to

like.”

That got both sons attention and they waited in anticipation as

Murdoch cut the string binding the package.  He rummaged around and

finally found a small flour sack tied closed with string.

Johnny frowned, “What is it?”

Murdoch held up the sack, “This, my boy is the best coffee I’ve ever

tasted.” He looked at the expressions on his son’s faces.  Scott had

a look of disbelief accented by raised eyebrows.  Johnny looked

slightly disappointed.  “Come with me.” Murdoch ordered as he carried

his prize into the kitchen.

Johnny shrugged at the look his brother gave him and stepped toward

the kitchen, at Scott’s “After you.”

“Sit down.” Murdoch requested and within minutes he had the coffee on

to boil.

“So what’s just so special about this coffee?” Johnny asked.

“You’ll see for yourself in a few minutes.  This coffee was served at

the cattlemen’s dinner and everyone wanted some to take home.  I was

one of the lucky ones to get some as it’s not easy to come by.”

As the smell of freshly brewed coffee began to fill up the kitchen,

Scott remarked, “It sure smells good. Where did you say it came from?”

“Have you ever heard of the Hawaiian Islands?” Murdoch waited while

each son hesitantly shook their heads. “It’s a group of islands way

west of here and they grow coffee beans there.  Some traders brought

it to Sacramento and the Golden Sprite bought a couple of sacks.

It’s called Kona coffee and it’s worth its weight in gold.”

Murdoch got up to pour three cups and he set them carefully in front

of each son. He held his own to his lips and allowed the steam to

invade his nostrils as he relished the rich scent of the coffee.

“This is good.” Scott said as he blew on the hot brew, taking a

second sip.

“Mighty fine.” Johnny agreed.

“So how did everything go sir?” Scott asked as he set his cup on the

table.

“Well. We have a new contract with the KC Cattle Company.  They’ll

take all the yearlings we can produce for the next two years.  The

price is tied to the market so if the price goes up we’ll be covered.”

“Sounds good.” Johnny nodded as he took a long sip of coffee.

“I had dinner with the Johnson’s.  Would you believe they have six

daughters? All very attractive I might add.”

Scott looked up with interest, “Oh…ah how old are they?”

“Did you say attractive?” Johnny interjected.

“I’d say the youngest is 17 and the oldest is 25.  Chris, Sammi, and

Vicki are all brunets. Sharon, Susan and Tina are blonds.”

“Maybe we’ll get to meet them sometime.” Scott mused.

“I’ve invited them for a visit after the spring drive.”

Both sons smiled as they looked forward in anticipation to meeting

the ladies.

“What else did you do?” Johnny asked as Murdoch refilled their coffee

cups.

Murdoch sat back down and rubbed one large hand over his stubble

covered cheek. “Let’s see….I went to a play.  It was based on Mark

Twain’s book; A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.  It was

quite good. By the way, where’s Teresa?”

“She went over to the Carlson’s.  The ladies are working on a quilt.

What’d they call it Scott?” Johnny asked.

“Desert Sun. I believe.  Cathy came up with the idea and Geraldine

designed it. Nancy and Karen are providing the thread and Terri is

tying it all up nice and neat when they’re done.”

“It should bring a pretty good price when AJ auctions it off for the

fund raiser.” Murdoch replied.

Their musings were interrupted by the sound of hoof beats just

outside. Scott got up to check, but the old kitchen door was stuck

tight.

“Turn the handle and give it a winj with your shoulder.” Johnny

advised.

Scott followed directions, smiled and stepped back as he saw Teresa

tying Spiritfire to the hitching rail.  “You’re just in time.

Murdoch’s home and we were just getting ready to read Seren and

Lacy’s newest chapter of Angry Hearts.”

“Oh wonderful!” Teresa clapped as she took off her overcoat, and

brushed back a few stray strands of hair.  She gave Murdoch a quick

kiss on the cheek and followed her family into the great room.

Each member made themselves comfortable around the fireplace as they

waited for Murdoch to start reading from the weekly gazette.

Contentment filled their faces as they relaxed to the sound of

Murdoch’s voice as he read the next anticipated chapter.

The End

January 1, 2005

Thank you all for the great year. I’m looking forward to what the New

Year will bring in our Lancer Land.

I tried to fit in as many LOLLIES as I could. In case you’re

counting, there are 25 mentioned.  <VBG>

Happy New Year,

EM

.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
Thank you for reading! The authors listed on this site spend many hours writing stories for your enjoyment, and their only reward is the feedback you leave. So please take a moment to leave a comment.  Even the simplest ‘I liked this!” can make all the difference to an author and encourage them to keep writing and posting their stories here.  You can comment in the ‘reply’ box below or email EM directly.

.