Summary: Hoss and Joe hire a new ranch hand while on a trip to purchase horses. Aware of the potential for problems with their father, they could not have imagined the stir the new hand would make.<\/p>\n
Rating: T WC: 13926<\/p>\n
A Gal Named Sal Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n A Gal Named Sal<\/a> <\/p>\n A Gal Named Sal<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey, here he comes now.\u201d Hoss smacked Joe\u2019s arm with the back of his hand when he spied Adam walking their direction.<\/span><\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard and tugged on his jacket. \u201cHey, Adam. Come to have a look at the new stock?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThought I\u2019d better check up on you two before Pa gets back.\u201d Joe bristled as Adam surveyed the corrals and then fixed his gaze on the hand that was working with a feisty sorrel. \u201cThat our new hire? Looks pretty young to be training new stock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUh — yeah — just hired on.\u201d Joe tried to sound more confident than he felt.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam gave the hired hand more intense scrutiny. \u201cWa — it a minute. That\u2019s no boy. That\u2019s a woman!\u201d He turned to face his brothers. \u201cAll right, you two. What have you done this time? You know that Pa would never allow a female ranch hand. It\u2019s too disruptive to the men.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAww now, Adam.\u201d Hoss swung a big arm in the petite woman\u2019s direction. \u201cSal just wants a chance to prove herself. Look, you can tell from here that she knows what she\u2019s doin\u2019!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSal? I assume that\u2019s short for Sally?\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes squinted with his question.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, she goes by Mustang Sally, to be more exact.\u201d Joe folded his arms in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMustang Sally.\u201d Adam muttered, his face grimacing. \u201cSo just where is \u2018Mustang Sally\u2019 going to sleep at night, or for that matter, bathe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe held up his hands. \u201cWe\u2019ve got that all figured out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh, you do, do you?\u201d Adam countered.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Hoss chimed in. \u201cDone taken care of it. Sal kin have the little room in the barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam crossed his arms tight against his chest and took turns glaring at his brothers. Joe pointed toward the corral indicating that Adam should have another look. Mustang Sally was handling herself and the challenging horse as well as Adam had seen any man do the job.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam flung his hands down to his side. \u201cOhhhh — all right! I am certain that I will rue the day that I didn\u2019t put a stop to this, but we\u2019ll give it a try.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n A surprised grin spread across Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou won\u2019t be sorry, Adam.\u201d He gave his oldest brother an enthusiastic nod.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I jest have a good feelin\u2019 about Sal –.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam lifted his hand and extended his index finger. \u201cOne complaint — one — mind you, and you two will give her whatever pay she\u2019s got coming and send her on her way. Understood?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe opened his mouth to protest, but Adam waved him off and walked away in a huff. Joe\u2019s head wagged back and forth as he silently gave his brother a piece of his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss jammed his hands into his pockets. \u201cMaybe Adam\u2019s right, Joe. I know Sal is real good with horses and all, but this may turn out ta be more trouble than it\u2019s worth — stir up a hornet\u2019s nest and that don\u2019t even take Pa inta \u2018ccount.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe stabbed a finger in Sally\u2019s direction. \u201cJust look at her, brother! We haven\u2019t had somebody that good here in a long time!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re preachin\u2019 ta the choir, Joe. I jest hope she\u2019s up to the rest of it once all the men figure out she\u2019s a gal!. Some of \u2018em prob\u2019ly won\u2019t care as long as she keeps her distance, but others — well, that could be tough. Hope it don\u2019t get ugly for her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe\u2019s shoulders drooped as his cocky certainty suddenly took a hit.<\/span><\/p>\n Two days later, Ben rode in from Carson City and noticed that there was a lot of activity in the corral. He dismounted and tied Buck to the fence all the while intently watching the wrangler who had a horse circling on a long lead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take care of Buck for you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Smokey sauntered over and climbed the fence.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThanks. I\u2019d appreciate that.\u201d Ben sighed heavily, removed his hat and mopped his brow with his gloved hand. \u201cI take it, that\u2019s our new hire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, seems to really know what — uh –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe, right? What she\u2019s doing.\u201d Ben\u2019s emphasis did not go unnoticed by Smokey. \u201cAnd do you happen to know where the boys are?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, I think Adam had business in town and Hoss and Joe are out on the range. Prob\u2019ly all home by supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The dust flew when Ben gave his hat a frustrated smack on his leg. \u201cHow are the men reacting to –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSally. She goes by Mustang Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben’s brows shot up.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh there\u2019s been some mumbling, but no dust ups.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good. Let me know if anything changes. We can\u2019t have a — any ranch hand causing a commotion and keeping the others from getting their work done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Mr. Cartwright. Smokey untied Buck and glanced back at Sally. He swiped a hand across his upper lip and muttered, \u201dAin\u2019t it a shame.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben turned sharply in Smokey\u2019s direction. \u201cHow\u2019s that?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh — nothing, boss.\u201d Smokey took Buck to the barn to avoid further conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben swiveled back around to have another look at Sally. He groused to himself, \u201cI\u2019m guessing that shame would be that underneath those dusty work clothes, there is a good looking woman. Yes, indeed, Smokey, you\u2019re not fooling me!\u201d Ben made his way toward the house. \u201cAt least she has the decency not to wear her pants too tight!\u201d Once again he smacked his hat on his leg.<\/span><\/p>\n As Smokey predicted, all of Ben\u2019s sons were present for dinner that evening. Ben intentionally avoided bringing up Mustang Sally and neither did his sons appear to want to wade into that topic. Hoss and Joe did have plenty to say about the new stock that they had acquired and Adam commented on the contracts that he had sought consultation about from Hiram Wood. However, the three sons became absorbed in their meals when the conversation dwindled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ben took a sip of his coffee and looked around the table at three heads that were avoiding eye contact. \u201cSo, I noticed that we have a new hire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Three mouths stopped chewing and heads cautiously came up. The Cartwright sons looked at each other, silently wondering who was going to risk stepping into the looming battle.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben’s eyes narrowed as he looked at each of his sons. \u201cNone of you have anything to offer? So I am to take it that this new hand somehow arrived on our ranch and magically began working without any Cartwrights approving it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss gulped down the food in his mouth. \u201cWell, now, Pa \u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d Ben gave his big son a withering stare which caused Hoss\u2019 shoulders to slump.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you \u2018splain how Sally got here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe swallowed down the bite of food that had suddenly tripled in size. \u201cMe? You were as much a part of it as I was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n When Hoss stayed silent, Joe gave Adam a pleading look.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t try to pull me into this! You two got yourselves into it and will have to explain yourselves. The only thing I\u2019m guilty of is not asking her to leave the moment I saw her!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Realizing there was no wiggle room, Joe set down his fork and leaned back in his chair. \u201cWell, Pa, it kinda went like this. Sally had been tagging along with Graham and his bunch. She approached us after we bought the horses. She was looking for something a little more settled instead of chasing down mustangs all the time.\u201d Joe paused.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s understandable. It\u2019s a tough life for a man, let alone a woman. Go on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, we didn\u2019t agree to signing her on without seeing what she could do with a horse. So we picked out a tough nut\u201d, Joe eyes flashed bright, \u201cand she was amazing!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cReally? That good?\u201d Ben responded feigning sincerity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa, she\u2019s better than any man I ever seen.\u201d Hoss added.<\/span><\/p>\n Joe nodded to his brother. \u201cAnd you know that means something coming from Hoss, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam shrugged when Ben looked across the table to get his take on things.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re sure there were no other reasons for hiring Mustang Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLike what kinda reasons?\u201d Hoss looked puzzled by his father\u2019s inquiry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben placed his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together. \u201cLike maybe there is an attractive woman under those ranch hand clothes, first, and secondly who just might be out shopping for a husband.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh, now, Pa. Sal ain\u2019t like that at all. She jest wants to do a good job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben nodded. Forming a steeple with his fingers and bringing them to his lips, he then turned his focus on Joe. \u201cAnd do you agree with your brother\u2019s evaluation of Sally?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes. Yes I do.\u201d Joe gave his father an emphatic nod. \u201cBesides, the hands aren\u2019t complaining about her. They can see how good she is with the horses. She\u2019s making great headway already!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell according to Smokey, there haven\u2019t been any major issues \u2014 yet!\u201d Ben brought his hands down and leaned back in his chair to cross his arms. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t change the fact that you deliberately chose to go against my policy of no women ranch hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe gave his father a sheepish look and Hoss took a large swig of his coffee to help with the lump in his throat.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo now we have a dilemma. We have a woman working here, which may I restate, is against ranch policy, but who by all appearances is quite good at working with the stock. Letting her go without cause would seem unjust and make me look like an ogre. It is my feeling, though,\u00a0 that Mustang Sally\u2019s tenure at the Ponderosa is tenuous at best as I believe it is only a matter of time until the men protest or get into some kind of argument over her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Three pairs of eyes stared back at the eldest Cartwright trying determine if he had finished his speech. It never ceased to amaze Ben\u2019s sons at his ability to generate such a lengthy oratorical response to something they perceived as having little or no consequence.<\/span><\/p>\n With no reaction to his words, Ben threw his hands into the air and continued. \u201cBesides all this, women are just not cut out for this type of work. They have \u2014 you know \u2014 issues that men don\u2019t have!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIssues?\u201d Hoss asked. Ben looked at his son incredulously. Hoss\u2019 cheeks flushed. \u201cOh \u2014 yeah \u2014 those kinda issues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam brought a hand up to cover his smirk which was met by a glare from his father. Clearing his throat, Adam went back to eating.<\/span><\/p>\n Joe, however, being quite accustomed to his father\u2019s preaching, took up Sally\u2019s cause. \u201cPa, don\u2019t you think you should at least meet Sally before passing judgment on her. She\u2019s a nice gal and a hard worker, and so far her \u2014 \u2018issues\u2019 \u2014 haven\u2019t been a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben gave his youngest a hard look and then relented. \u201cAll right, then. Tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEarly\u201d, Joe followed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEarly? You?\u201d Ben\u2019s brows shot up.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Sally starts early \u2014 before most of the men are up and moving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Really. Like I said, she\u2019s a hard worker. I think it\u2019s best to catch her when there\u2019s not an audience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cSounds fair. I will plan on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The next morning just as Joe had said, Sally was in the corral working a horse when father and son arrived at the fence. Absorbed in her work, it took some time for Sally to notice them. Joe motioned for Sally to join them. She led the mare over to where the Cartwright men were standing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRemember, it\u2019s Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Sally nodded and gave him an embarrassed smile. \u201cJoe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSally, I\u2019d like you to meet my father, Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The woman deftly removed her glove and offered Ben her hand. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to meet you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy pleasure, Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEldridge — Sally Eldridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben released her hand, but not before taking notice of Sally\u2019s striking blue eyes as she looked up at him from under her broad-brimmed hat. He also took note of her wavy dark hair that was neatly pulled back in a leather thong. Ben had previously seen her from afar and was surprised that Sally was older than her youthful mannerisms and gait belied. Her tanned cheeks blushed at her boss\u2019s intense gaze. She turned toward the horse and fingered its halter.<\/span><\/p>\n Aware of the awkwardness of the moment, Joe commented. \u201cAlready got a halter on this girl! That\u2019s great!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Sally stroked the mare\u2019s nose. \u201cYes, she\u2019s doing well. Hope to get a saddle on her today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe looked over at Ben and found that his father\u2019s eyes were still focused on Sally rather than the horse. \u201cSee Pa, like I said, Sally\u2019s making quick work of the new stock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n It took a second for Ben to surface from his thoughts and then he reached out to scratch the horse\u2019s neck. \u201cShe seems more settled than I would have thought for so early in the process. You definitely have a way with horses.\u201d Ben gave Sally a warm smile which again caused her cheeks to go pink. \u201cHave you been doing this kind of work long?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, for a while.\u201d Sally purposefully avoided going into detail about her past unless she was pressed to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut you worked most recently for T. J. Graham.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben nodded when it was obvious Sally did not want to give any more details at the moment.\u00a0 \u201cVery well then, we should let you get back to the training. Have you had breakfast?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The tension in Sally\u2019s shoulders eased at the prospect that the questions were likely coming to an end. \u201cI\u2019ll get some in a bit. The fellas save me a plate. Nice to meet you. Have a good day.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd you, as well.\u201d Ben gave her an easy smile.<\/span><\/p>\n As Sally led the horse back to the center of the corral, Ben leaned into the fence. He and Joe watched as the female wrangler and horse moved away from them. When his father seemed to be enjoying the scenery just a little too much, Joe tapped his arm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou ready to get some breakfast or are you just gonna stand here and stare?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUm \u2014 yes — I mean no — I mean –Joseph!’ Ben scowled when his youngest gave him a look of smug satisfaction. \u201cLet\u2019s get some breakfast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Once inside, Ben took his seat at the table without comment. Adam and Hoss were already eating and attempted to decipher the look on Joe\u2019s face as he slid into his chair. The brothers seemed confused by Joe\u2019s expression which fell somewhere between vindication and bursting with a secret.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss cocked his head at an odd angle and then turned to address his father. \u201cEverything go ok meetin\u2019 Sal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben kept his eyes down and focused on the serving platter of ham and eggs as he filled the plate in front of him. \u201cYes, Sally seems to be doing a fine job with the horses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss looked first to Joe and then to Adam with a contorted mouth when Ben had nothing else to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam\u2019s hand hovered above his plate as he wagged his fork back and forth while looking directly at his father. \u201cSooo, that means she\u2019s staying?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ben glanced up from his plate momentarily. \u201cI see no reason to let her go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam mouthed to his brothers \u2018no reason\u2019 which caused them to choke on their food and cover their mouths.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben looked up at the disturbance. \u201cYou boys all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe cleared his throat. \u201cOh — yeah — Pa. We\u2019re fine. Hop Sing just must have put a little too much pepper on the eggs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss swallowed hard and coughed back a guffaw.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben tasted the eggs. \u201cHmm. They taste just fine to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The sons worked hard from that point to keep their composure. Ben quickly changed the subject to their responsibilities for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n Upon finishing his food, Ben drank his last sip of coffee and rose to head for the door. \u201cJust let me know if anything comes up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnything?\u201d Adam queried.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben walked toward the door where he paused to reach for his hat. \u201cYou know, like problems that need my attention.\u201d And with that, he was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n Only seconds after the door closed, Adam dropped his fork, and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. \u201cOk, Joe, spill it. What in the world went on out there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, what\u2019s goin\u2019 on with Pa?\u201d Hoss gave his younger brother a look of concern.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have believed it if I hadn\u2019t seen it with my own eyes.\u201d Joe paused making his brothers wait.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam sat back and folded his arms in frustration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh come on, Joe.\u201d Hoss hollered.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s — what\u2019s the word I want?\u201d Joe tapped his lips. \u201cSmitten. That\u2019s it.\u201d He flashed a proud grin and fidgeted in his seat with glee.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSmitten? Pa! How old is Sally?\u201d Adam was incredulous.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve seen her. What do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI only saw her briefly and from a long way off.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been trying my best to steer clear of Mustang Sally!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe shrugged and looked across at Hoss. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe your age or a little older. What do you think, Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAugust Heat<\/a><\/p>\n