Chapter 17

Percy loweredhis sore and aching body into the hot water with a strained sigh. He grimaced at the twinge in his backside.

It really wasn’t that bad.

Only that he’d had to spend the day in the saddle. If he’d just been doing chores around the house, he’d have been fine.

Or if he was more accustomed to it.

That’s it. Just need more practice, he thought as he closed his eyes.

The hot water was now heavenly, ironing out his tired muscles and probably ridding him of the stink too.

He could have easily fallen asleep, but the door opening made him crack an eye. Albie stood there holding a tray. He seemed awkward at first, but then he rushed in and closed the door with his foot.

“I could have waited to eat,” Percy said.

“Elsie insisted,” he replied, pulling over the foot stool to the side of the tub and sitting on it. Then he whispered, “Did you say anything to her? About... not falling off a horse?”

“No. And I can’t believe you said I came off a horse, by the way. Of all the ridiculous things to say.”

“Hm,” he frowned. “Maybe that’s why she didn’t believe it.”

“What did she say?”

“She knows. What we did. I’m sure of it.” His cheeks went a ruddy red. “She told me I had to come in here and feed you because of what I did to you.”

“Oh my,” Percy said. Then he couldn’t help it—he laughed. “How did she know?”

“I don’t know!” he whisper-shouted. “But she scares me.”

Percy just laughed some more, at Albie’s stricken misery than anything else. “Like she can talk. I’ve heard the noises coming out of their room.”

“Oh god,” Albie said, shrinking back. “Please don’t ever say that to her. For the love of a merciful god.”

Percy laughed so hard he snorted. Then he nodded to the plate and opened his mouth. “Some?”

Albie frowned. “You’re going to make me spoon-feed you?”

“Want me to tell Elsie you refused?”

He growled at Percy, but then scooped up a spoonful and fed it to him. “This may be my ship, but why do I feel like I’m not the captain? Heck, I’m not even second in command.”

Percy laughed some more, then opened his mouth for more food. Albie, of course, complied.

“Do you feel better?” he asked quietly. “Does the bath help?”

“Much. Though I’ve decided we need to practice more so I become accustomed to it.”

“Oh god,” Albie mumbled, his cheeks reddening. “Elsie put butter on the table and I almost died. How could she know that?” He shook his head, still clearly mortified. “I’m so grateful you weren’t there to see it.”

Percy burst out laughing. “I’ll ask for a double serving tonight.”

“Please don’t. Not in front of Des and Robert. I’ll die on the spot.”

Percy laughed some more, then opened his mouth for more stew.

* * *

The bath didhis body wonders and Percy was feeling almost back to normal by supper time. He’d managed some chores in the afternoon while Albie took a bath after him, and by the time Des and Robert got back, it was barely time for them to wash up a little and sit down for dinner.

Percy told them all about their time in town, at the store, the bank, and then at the saloon where Bill Kelly had intervened. Then this morning at the saleyard and how McAllister’s respect held so much water in this town. Right or wrong, like it or not. It was proved today.

“Respect is one thing,” Des said quietly. “Trust is another.”

Robert nodded. “He’d sell his own mother if he thought it put him in front.”

“I’m not sure I hold much of either for him,” Albie said thoughtfully. “Respect, maybe. That he can run a business, make a profit. That takes grit out here. But trust him? No.”

“He only makes a profit by undercutting anyone who comes close,” Robert added. “People don’t respect him. They fear him. And that’s not a bed I’d wanna lie in.”

“True,” Percy allowed. “But those good-for-nothing men at the saloon now look at Albie a bit differently.”

Des pointed his fork at Percy as he chewed and swallowed his food. “They respect Bill Kelly. That’s true. He’s tough as nails, but he’s not always fair. He knows who pays his wages, so that’s where his loyalty lies. But he’s more honourable than McAllister, that’s for sure.”

Percy didn’t entirely agree with that, but he could appreciate Des’s perspective. When Percy thought of Albie and how much he respected him, and how much Des and Robert respected him, he wasn’t entirely sure it was because Albie paid their wages.

It was because he was an honourable man.

An honest man.

And that’s what McAllister wasn’t.

“Those men at the saloon can’t think for themselves,” Robert added. “I should know; I was one of them for a long time. They have a mob mentality, follow the herd, and do whatever will get them in favour for another beer. Don’t go thinking too much of their opinions.”

They were quiet for half a minute while they ate, and Des seemed to be thinking hard about something. “Speaking of a mob,” he said quietly. “That mob of brumbies was back.”

Percy and Albie both shot him a look. “When?” Percy asked.

“Just this afternoon,” Des answered.

“Where?” Albie asked.

“On the flats, by the river,” he replied.

“We saw ’em from the top of the ridgeline when we were moving the cattle.”

Percy tried to keep his excitement in check but he was just about buzzing. He understood Des’s reluctance over safety concerns but he was the one to bring it up just now, so he’d clearly had a change of heart.

“Oh, we should go take a look,” Percy said. When Albie’s eyes met his, and when he didn’t say no immediately, Percy saw his glimmer of opportunity. “We could go take a look tomorrow! Maybe even take a swag and camp out overnight.”

Albie opened his mouth, clearly about to object, but Percy wasn’t about to give up so easily.

“It’s not that cold now,” he added quickly. “And it’ll be even less so when we’re off the mountain, down on the flats.”

“And what do we do with them?” Albie asked. “How do we corral them.”

“Drive them back up the mountain,” Percy said. He wasn’t exactly sure how that would work but?—

Albie shook his head. “Too risky.”

“Impossible,” Des added.

“Then we take them around,” Percy tried. “Take them around the mountain to the bullock pass road. It’s open now. Then directly into Alpine Falls, into the saleyards. We take the brood mares, yearlings, bring them back here. Sell the rest.”

“Controlling a mob of wild horses isn’t easy,” Albie said.

“You only have to control the stallion,” Percy said. “The mob will follow, right?”

Albie stared at him. “You’d have better luck controlling the weather.”

Percy grinned at him. “We can try.”

Albie scowled as he moved his dinner around with a fork, but Percy caught Robert smirking, and even Des found something funny. Albie looked up at them, seeing their reactions, then he shot Percy a hard glare before he sighed.

“If you get injured, I’ll hear no complaints about it,” he said flatly.

And Percy laughed, wiggling in his seat. “We’ll leave at first light tomorrow.” Albie wasn’t smiling though, so Percy added, “We might not even see them, so don’t worry just yet.”

But he was so sure they would, and he couldn’t wait.

* * *

They tookenough supplies to last them a full two days, should they need it. A swag, some bread and cheese, and fruit and water. Percy didn’t particularly want to stay out overnight but part of him wanted to as well.

After all, camping out with Albie would be fun, right?

Even with Des and Robert. There would be no sleeping together, no romps by the campfire, but Percy didn’t even mind.

Although Albie had jokingly threatened Percy with another arse so sore he wouldn’t want to go searching for wild horses. But Percy had been all for it, so Albie’s fake threat had fallen flat. And instead, they’d spent the night in each other’s arms sleeping and doing nothing more.

Percy was all for that too.

At any rate, they were all saddling their horses before the sun had even cracked the horizon. Barely enough daylight to see properly, but Percy’s grin was unmistakable.

Elsie and Clara had made an early breakfast, so when Des and Robert went in to eat, Albie quickly grabbed Percy’s arm. “No foolishness today, please,” he whispered.

“I would never,” Percy said.

“I know,” he murmured. “I just... I know you’re excited, but if anything should happen to you... Percy, I’d never survive it. It was bad enough when you were ill from the knock to your head.”

Percy looked up into his brown eyes with hints of gold and honey. “Same goes for you.” Then he looked around to make sure they were alone. “I love you, Albert Bramwell. As the flowers love the sun.”

Albie’s cheeks flushed pink, and his shy smile became a grin, his eyes alight. “Poetry, huh?”

“Only for you.”

He chuckled, then looked back toward the house. “We shouldn’t be late. Lest we want the wrath of Elsie.”

Percy started for the house. “No, we don’t.”

Breakfast was mostly quiet as they ate their porridge and stewed fruit. “We’ll head down the property line,” Des said.

The fact he was coming surprised Percy. His leg didn’t allow long stints in the saddle, so Percy could only deduce his concern for Albie won out.

Or maybe he’d missed the thrill of the ride. He’d been a great horseman before his injury, Percy had heard. And he had to believe that Des’s heart missed what his body would no longer allow.

Either way, Percy was glad Des was riding with them.

Albie pushed his empty plate away. “Our goal is to round up some horses, nothing more,” he said. “If they get away from us, we leave them be. I’ll not have anyone of us injured, or worse, for the sake of some wild brumbies.”

He gave Percy a pointed look.

Percy sipped his tea, trying not to smile. “Yes, boss.”

Albie huffed out a growl but then looked at Des and Robert. “Are we ready?”

They were both fighting a smile, but they gave a nod. “As we’ll ever be,” Des said.

Albie had a quick word with Elsie and Clara while Percy, Des, and Robert mounted their horses. Percy brought Minnie to the house for Albie, and Elsie walked him out.

“Don’t you worry about us,” she said. “I’ll go ahead and strip beds and make some more preserves. We’ve got enough wood to last us a year and enough chores to keep us busy even longer.”

Albie swung up into his saddle. “That’s not my concern.”

She grinned at him. “I’ve got a mean right hook and a shotgun should anyone turn up unannounced. Don’t you worry about us.”

Percy laughed, and Albie tipped his hat. “We’ll be back soon enough.”

“With a mob of horses,” Percy added.

“I’ll settle for in one piece,” she said, then waved them off as they rode off.

They headed back behind the house and skirted abouts where Albie’s property met McAllister’s. There were now some fence posts intermittently placed, still not finished, but the beginnings of a very long and expensive job, Percy could guess.

“Is this your land or his?” Robert asked.

Albie looked around, his expression thoughtful. “Actually, looks about right. Hard to tell though. The big granite boulder I used to jump off, not far from where McAllister’s boy was found, is on my land, so that’ll be a good yardstick.”

They soon came to the large boulder in question. The new fence line didn’t run down this far yet, but there were some trees cleared to the left of it. As it looked now, if that’s where the fence line would run, McAllister wasn’t encroaching on Albie’s land, but Percy couldn’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be so untrustworthy.

No one trusted McAllister.

He couldn’t even be trusted to run a fence line on his own land, and for all the “respect” and clout he had in town, no one trusted him to do the right thing.

And that was sad.

Percy would take Albie’s righteousness and honesty over the likes of McAllister’s ilk any day.

Before Percy knew it, they were at the edge of the ridgeline. The view down into the valley was spectacular. The morning sun painted everything clean and pastel. The air was fresh but not damp. It was a glorious sight.

“Why are you so quiet, Percy?” Albie asked. “Are you having regrets? Because this was your idea, I’ll have you know.”

The descent would be steep, yes. But not impossible. And they’d be taking it slow. It’s not like they were racing off the edge...

“Regrets?” Percy asked. “I was just thinking that this is the best idea I’ve ever had.”

“Best idea, as in the same as going over the ledge over there to save that kid while banging your head in the meantime?” Des said.

Percy looked over to the right, seeing the ledge in question. It looked a lot bigger now than what he’d remembered, especially now the mist was gone and he could see the sheer size of the drop. He shifted in his saddle. “Going over the ledge was fine,” he said. “It was the landing that wasn’t so great.” He rubbed the side of his head for good measure.

Robert laughed. “Just keep your brains on the inside this time, all right?”

Percy grinned at him. “I’ll do my best.”

Albie looked at Des. “You good to keep going? Not one of us will think any different of you if you choose to stay. Actually, having one of us stay back might be a good idea.”

Des gave Albie a hard look. “Then you go back; I’ll take the lead,” he said, taking his horse over the embankment first.

The four of them rode in single file, each allowing their horse sure footing and all the time they needed. It was a slow descent, snaking down the mountain side, through trees and long grasses, no path to speak of. Some parts were too steep and they had to hedge along sideways.

If Percy had entertained the idea at all of bringing horses back up this way, now he didn’t.

Unless they took them further into McAllister’s property, and that was never gonna happen. Not even with his permission, probably.

As it stood now, they were going further south and coming back around into Alpine Falls with the mob of horses, or without them. Coming back up this way was not an option.

Percy’s heart was in his throat the whole way down. He let Bandit do all the work, trusting his horse more than his own abilities. Albie’s horse, Minnie, made it look easy, though the way Albie handled her and rode with such ease, Percy had to wonder if Albie was part mountain goat too.

Des was more cautious, understandably. And Robert was sensible too. Percy was very happy to let them lead. He wasn’t born and bred in these mountains like they were, and he wasn’t fool enough to think he could pretend he was.

“Look,” Des said, pointing out.

They were about halfway down with a clear view to the open land below, and there in all their glory was the mob of wild brumbies. A big bay stallion at the fore, his herd behind him, galloping free.

It was a sight Percy would never forget.

The sound of hooves thundering echoed up the valley and it made their horses a little skittish. It made Percy’s heart hammer, his pulse quicken, his excitement grow.

This is what they were here for.

It made their descent to the bottom a little faster, more urgent now. And by the time they reached flatter, cleared ground, they began to trot, then canter. And when they spotted the mob cresting over the next rise, they took off at a gallop.

Their horses flew over the green grasses. The sun was warm and the wind on Percy’s face as they raced made the thrill of it better.

Seeing Des ride flat strap was a sight to behold. Because right then, he wasn’t a cripple or a man with just one good leg. He was a horseman, maybe the best Percy had ever seen.

Even Robert, as well. He was low in his saddle barely moving with the horse underneath him. He wasn’t some good-for-nothing town drunkard. He was fast and a damn good horseman.

And then there was Albie.

His coat billowed out behind him, his hat pulled down, though Percy caught the grin he wore.

It made Percy laugh.

He could ride just fine. He’d grown up on a horse and could handle flat and open land as well as any man. But he wasn’t as good as Albie. He’d never seen him ride like this, in full flight, and heaven help him, Percy had never seen a more handsome sight.

Whatever the outcome of this, whether they caught the mob or not, Percy wanted to do this, to ride alongside Albie like this, for the rest of his life.

But then the flat land became rises and gullies, undulating at first and then steeper. They rode them like waves, their horses sailing through, barely slowing with each crest.

The rise and fall made Percy’s stomach plummet with each one, and his heart was racing.

The mob of brumbies were at a full gallop now, aware of their pursuit.

They had the advantage, being riderless and free, being familiar with this terrain. They could turn on a dime, swap and sway, and use the gullies and tall gum trees to their advantage.

Percy could have sworn the brumby stallion led them through the trees with low branches on purpose. He nearly copped a branch to the head but ducked just in time.

They followed them along the line of the gully, where they disappeared over the edge and out of view.

Des pulled his horse up just shy of the drop, and Robert pulled hard on his reins, stopping just before the edge. Albie and Percy got there not a second later, already slowing down.

Their horses were panting, snorting, breathing hard. The men were too. But they sat there and watched the mob meet the bottom and begin up the next rise.

“Too good for us,” Des said.

Robert was still studying them. “I count thirty,” he said.

Percy hadn’t even tried to count them. He was too busy trying not to fall off his horse.

Albie looked at Percy. He was breathing hard, his nostrils flared. “You good?”

Percy grinned at him. “Are you kidding? That was the most fun I’ve ever had!”

Albie sighed.

“Did you see that first gully?” Percy asked, excited. “Bandit dropped out from under me so fast I almost lost my breakfast.”

Robert laughed and Des snorted. “Fun, huh?” Robert asked.

Percy laughed, breathless. “Every second of it.”

Des pulled his horse around. “Let’s take them to the river. It’s got decent flow this year. We now have the fun job of getting home.”

Percy didn’t mind one bit.

It was all fun to him.