Free A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney Page A

you would care to explain?”
    “I am talking about the cattle.   I am talking about hiring men that I have already contracted.   I am talking about your divisive tactics to sabotage me!”   Will glared at his brother, resisting the urge to connect his fist with his brother’s jaw.
    “William, what a wild imagination you have,” Reuben said as he propped his elbows on his large walnut desk, tenting his fingers.   “You and I have already divided the herd.   If you are having a difficult time managing your half, that is not my concern.   As far as hiring your men away, I have some vacancies left from the men you have hired away from me .   It is not my problem if you refuse to offer a fair wage.”
    Will’s nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath.   Of course Reuben twisted this all around on him.   He expected nothing less.   Seeing no peaceful resolution to their conflict, Will turned on his heel.
    Pausing in the doorway, he muttered, “If you stopped interfering, I would be out of your way sooner.”
    His brother’s laughter echoed down the hall behind him.   “Ten days, William, that’s all you have left!”

Chapter 5

     
Texas / New Mexico Border
     
September 14, 1863
     

    The dust kicked up by the slowly moving cattle stuck to Will’s already coated face.   Three days into the drive and he longed for the cleanliness of home already.   But, he had no home.   Not yet.   Two months of travel, based on his best guess, stood between him and someplace that would not feel like home, but must become home.  
    Miraculously, by the end of Reuben’s two week deadline, Will was prepared enough to leave the Star C behind.   He hired eight men, a wrangler, and a cook.   Less than the ideal number, but enough.
    Will snorted as his dark eyes darted across the horizon over the backs of longhorns munching on grass, oblivious to the long journey barely underway.   Less than ideal could describe just about every aspect of preparing for this drive.   Not the preferred number or quality of horses.   Not the perfect amount of supplies.   Not well informed about the route.   Not well prepared for the unexpected.   Not the most experienced men.
    Eight men, a wrangler, and a cook.   And him.   The small number of men for this size of herd meant everyone would be working extra hard.   Other than his long time friend, Ben Shepherd, the crew was composed of some very young men, some very rough men, and some very inexperienced men.
    The warm sun beat down on Will causing sweat to form beads on his brow.   Dabbing his forehead with his handkerchief, he tried not to dwell on the overwhelming challenges before him.   Whether he wanted it or not, he was now a full-fledged rancher—responsible for the lives of his hands and his stock.   He had done this many times before, but always under the security of his father’s guidance.   It was a burden shared among the three Colter men.   Now, this was his to bear alone.
    Not alone.   The small quiet voice reminded him.   He was never alone.   He knew that promise well.   God just seemed a bit distant right now.
    Sweeping his gaze over the herd and cowboys, Will’s eyes rested on the youngest hand, Jed Campbell.   So very young.   Just barely sixteen, hardly old enough for such a long drive across miles of wilderness.   Jed hadn’t even matured to the point of growing facial hair, Will thought as his lip turned up in a half smile.  
    Yet, when Jed showed up at the Star C asking for work four days before the departure, Will found it difficult to turn the young man away.   He had been swayed by Jed’s story.   Two years prior, he had been orphaned when his family was killed by raiding Indians.   At the much-too-young age of fourteen, Jed began working on a ranch in south Texas, learning the skills necessary to ride tall in his saddle as a cowboy.   When he heard of a rancher planning to head west, he made his way to north Texas to join Will’s