Free Of Wolves and Men by G. A. Hauser Page B

his coat like it was a teddy bear.
    In the heat from the roaring fireplace, Charlie rolled up his sleeves and spotted Connie busy at the stove. “Mornin’, Charlie. How’re you feeling?”
    “Very good, Connie. Thanks for askin’.” He took the mug of coffee Sherlane handed him.
    “Thank ya, darlin’.”
    “Sit. I’ll fix you up a nice helping.”
    Charlie sat in his usual spot at the long table. Next to the head, leaving it open for Vernon, who came into the kitchen and washed his hands. “Butch suggested we put out some leg traps up by the west fence.”
    Charlie felt as if he went ash white. “No. No, Vernon. Not a chance.”
    Vernon sat beside him and Suzie brought him a cup of coffee while Sherlane placed plates piled high with food in front of them.
    Charlie said, “Thank ya, hun,” and focused on Vernon. “First of all, them traps are indiscriminate killers. I hate them damn things. Poor critters gnaw off the own legs to get away.
    I’m surprised at you, Vernon.”
    “I’m at a loss, Charlie. What do you suggest?”
    “One deer. That’s it so far.” Charlie ate a bite of the food, noticing both Suzie and Sherlane staring. He said, “Good, thanks.”
    They said, “You’re welcome,” in harmony.
    Charlie cleared his throat and couldn’t remember the girls being so enamored with him the last time they came home from college. “Anyway, boss, you let me handle things. Can you do that?”
    “Butch says the fence is cut every day.” Vernon ate as he spoke.
    “And you think an animal is cutting barbed wire?” Charlie laughed in a cough. “Butch is an idiot.”
    “Am I?”
    Both he and Vernon looked up as Butch, Goat, and JP entered the kitchen. The women got busy serving them coffee and breakfast.
    Butch sat across from Charlie, setting his hat on his lap.
    “No way am I lettin’ you put out leg traps. They ain’t ethical and there’s a big controversy around them. You want this ranch caught up between the huntin’ groups and the animal activists? Do we need that for our tourist business, boss?”
    “They’re legal. Just as long as we check ‘em every two days.” Butch began eating hungrily.
    “Vernon, you have to be kiddin’ me.” Charlie felt sick to his stomach. “Will you let me deal with it?”
    “One more butchered animal, Charlie,” Vernon said holding up his finger. “And we put them out.”
    Charlie grew furious and pushed his plate of food away. “You’ve all lost your reason. Hear me out.” He tried to calm down. “Doc McMurray tells you the damn deer was killed by a knife.
    Right? A human with a knife.” He glared at Butch and then returned his stare to Vernon. “We got humans, not animals, cutting barbed wire. Are you all with me so far?” Charlie could see JP
    and Goat eating, trying to pretend they weren’t part of the debate. “So you’re intendin’ on usin’
    those miserable leg-hold traps to kill animals that got nothin’ to do with our human problem.
    You gettin’ me, boss? No disrespect intended, sir, but I think Butch has got you all riled up over a human problem.”
    “Charlie just don’t want to catch that wolf. Roman, he calls it.” Butch smirked.
    “What?” Goat laughed uneasily.
    Charlie rubbed his forehead and ran his hand through his hair. “Butch, one more comment, and you an’ me will take it outside.”
    Butch pushed out his chair violently in challenge.
    Charlie stood up, wanting to kick his ass.
    “Sit!” Vernon pointed his fork at them.
    He and Butch exchanged glares, each knowing once they got outside the fight was on. But they both sat down.
    Suzie topped up everyone’s coffee cup. When she held the pot over Charlie’s cup, he stopped her. “No more for me. And you can take this. I lost my appetite.” He handed her the plate.
    “You hardly touched it. Charlie, you have to eat.” Suzie caressed Charlie’s back.
    Charlie again caught the jealousy in Butch’s eyes. He addressed Vernon again. “Boss, I will not allow