RP: Eliot/April
Who: Eliot/April When: 1-2-11 Where: The ranch Summary: The animals arrive.
The cattle and horses arrived mid-morning under warm skies and a peek-a-boo sun. Hawkins asked Taylor to take care and groom the horses, while Hawkins supervised the unloading of the cattle. Hawkins spoke with the rancher that had been taking care of the herd, getting the information on the health and any issues with the cattle.
Hawkins dodged questions about the community with double-tongued non-answers and a laid-back smile. Finally, he shook hands with the rancher, and the rancher and his men drove off.
Hawkins checked that the cattle were finding the hay feeders that'd been filled early that morning and the water toughs under the weight of hidden gunmen until he felt them disappear. Only then did Eliot take out his cane from under his jacket and use it on his way back to the stable. He knew the barn areas of the ranch well enough that he truly didn't need the cane, but the trucks may have kicked up rocks or debris and until he had the chance to check the area over again, he would use the cane.
"Who's good to ride?" Eliot asked Tim, who was using a hoof pick on Maisy. The paperwork had the horses' names and coloring, and Eliot had set up the stalls in alphabetical order to make it easier on him. Hank and Levi got the go ahead, and Eliot fetched a halter for Hank.
Eliot had been looking forward to this day since they arrived. He attached a lead rope to the halter and lead Hank to the gates of the pasture. Once past them, Eliot tucked his cane in his inner jacket pocket, detached the lead rope, and looped it in his belt. With ingrained ease, he swung up onto Hank's bare back, fisted the lower mane, and gave Hank the signal to take off as he pleased.
Eliot rode low, his leg muscles keeping him seated without a saddle. The wind whipped Eliot's loose hair. He gave Hank his druthers, and the crazy view of the world Eliot had flew by. Eliot didn't worry about pitfalls on the land; give a horse his lead and he'd avoid danger. Eliot simply enjoyed the freedom of unhampered movement, the fresh air, and the silence of the range.
Eliot couldn't stay out forever, though. There were two more horses to exercise and work to be done. Plus, he was getting hungry. Eliot's keen sense of direction - not affected by his blindness - got Hank heading back to the ranch at a slower clip. Eliot dismounted at the gate, attached the lead to the halter, and flipped open his cane. Together he and Hank walked back to the stable, where he found Tim had gone and April hanging around.
"Hey," Eliot greeted her with a warm smile. The exhilaration from the ride reflected a relaxed happiness in him. "What brings you out this way, Doctor Beautiful?"