Free Cowboys Know Best by Breanna Hayse

sight before erupting in a gale of loud laughter.
    “I guess I shouldn’t ask how your day was, little one.”
    “It was terrible,” she muttered, embarrassed.
    Hank stuck his nose in the pot of simmering sauce. “This smells mighty fine. Let me help you clean this mess up and then you can go get changed. We are having a guest tonight.”
    “What? I have nothing to wear to greet a guest!”
    “Sweetheart, in this part of the world, guests need nothing but a handshake and an offer to take a chair. It’s the sheriff and he’s one of my oldest friends. Don’t you fret, ok? I’ll wash, you dry.”
    Perl was quiet as he directed her in the kitchen duties, blushing when he commented that the morning dishes had not been done.
    “I went back to bed,” she admitted shamefully. He eyed her, making her continue her explanation. “I was still so tired. Everything just caught up with me, I guess.”
    “It’ll take some time to get used to this life. Just do your best and watch your temper. That will get you into the most trouble. And mind your manners with Sheriff Wilson. He doesn’t take kindly to being back-talked. I won’t try to stop him if he decides to take a hand to you,” Hank warned.
    “Is this place a magnet for old fashioned good old boys? Isn’t that the term you cowboys use?”
    “Perlita, just because people aren’t afraid of some hard work and a little sweat on their brow doesn’t make them stupid, ignorant, or out of touch with the modern world. We’ve made the choice to live a simpler life because we enjoy the rewards. You need to learn to respect that, and the people who choose to live this way,” he scolded.
    Perl’s face clouded with anger. “My father worked just as hard for his rewards, Mr. Billings. Just because he didn’t rake cow manure doesn’t mean…”
    “Your father killed and cheated people to give you a pretty house and nice clothes. People like him destroyed the lives of so many others to gain for themselves. I try not to judge, but that is my job. Your father was a criminal, Miss Perl. You need to face that fact.”
    The sound of the slap against his cheek echoed through the still room. Perl’s eyes were black with rage and she balled her stinging palm into a fist. “Don’t you ever talk against my father again. He was a good man!”
    “To you. But not to the rest of the world. Baby, listen…” Hank grabbed her hand as she went to slap him again. “He is listed as one of my ten most wanted. I can’t condone anything he’s done, or forgive him for the people he’s murdered. Not even for you.”
    “I hate you!” Perl screamed, running out of the room crying.
    Hank winced as her bedroom door slammed. With a shake of his head, he finished tidying the kitchen and then slowly ventured upstairs. He tapped on her door with the back of his knuckles.
    “Perl? May I come in? Hon, I’m sorry. I was too harsh.” Swallowing a piece of humble pie this large needed to be washed down with a splash of humility.
    “Go away!”
    “No, I’m staying right here. Unlock the door, please.” He forced his voice to soften as he leaned against the wall. When she did not respond, he sighed. “Perlita, baby… I know this is hard for you. It’s never easy when you hear the truth about someone you care for.”
    “And how would you know how it feels, Mr. High and Mighty?!” she retorted through her sobbing.
    “My pa was lynched when I was eight for stealing a cow.” Hank winced as the words escaped his mouth. It was a well-kept family secret that only his closest friend knew. “Please let me in and I’ll tell you what happened.”
    Slowly the door opened and he looked upon her beautiful, but sad face. Even wet with tears, the girl was stunning to look at. Hank took her hand and sat her on the bed.
    “My family lived up in Pennsylvania, right near where you met Nana. I’m the youngest of six, plus all my cousins, aunts, and uncles. Nana used to say you could tell how cold a