6. Shadows

A few days pass by and you're disappointed that Austin hasn't been back. The bright sun slowly rises in the cloudless sky as you begin another day of hard labor. Large beads of sweat run down your face and you pant lightly while catching your breath. Looking out at the lines of heat shimmering in the distance, they look like small pools of water , which only makes you feel hotter. After staring for another minute you decide you're done for the day. As you're walking back to the house you sigh when you see a calf that's wandered off and is straying near the fence line of the property. Rolling your sleeves up further you make your way over to the animal. It's poking around a bush near the fence when you approach and place a hand on the rope that hangs loosely around it's neck. As you start leading the calf away you pause when you see the ground it had been standing on.

There are light boot prints in the dirt and you squat down to take a closer look. The print is long and narrow unlike the large boot prints you'd typically see around town. Looking up you frown slightly when you see a few notches carved into the fence post in front of you. As you trace your fingers across them you shiver slightly despite the heat. You shake your head before standing up and bring the calf back to the corral before finally returning home. That night you pace around the living room while thinking about the boot prints and remember the horse tracks you had also seen earlier in the week. It worries you that you don't have anyone else staying on the homestead with you. Cattle thieves typically hit larger properties but if someone knows you're alone they'd likely see you as an easy target. As you're in the middle of thinking you quickly jump to your feet when a long shadow passes across the wall in front of you.

Whirling around to face the window that had been behind you only see the glare of the fire and your reflection staring back. You quietly walk over to the side of the fireplace where your rifle is leaning. Taking it in your hands you slowly make your way up to the window and look out. The night is quiet and the moon's light shines down illuminating the area before you. There isn't any wind and your eyes slowly scan the motionless landscape. After a few moments you bolt your door and go back to the window. There still isn't any movement but you continue watching long into the night. The distant noise of roosters crowing rouses you from your sleep and you groan as you stretch your stiff neck. You fell asleep sitting by the window and you can tell you didn't get very much rest. When you step out on your porch after getting ready you take a look around your property. You feel your breath catch in your throat when you find foot prints outside you the window you had been looking out of last night. They look the same as the ones you had seen by the fence and you push your hair nervously out of your face.

You think about telling John but decide not to when you realize he'll likely want to do something to help protect the farm. John's not in the best health and you can't risk anything happening to him now that you've lost your father. You kick the dirt where the prints are and they disappear as the dirt gently settles back down. After thinking for a moment you head to the stable for your horse and head into town. You know the grocers dog had a liter recently and you could use something to help alert you of intruders. When you arrive you're dismayed to find the door to the store closed and a note pinned to it. You walk up the stairs and sigh when you see it says the store is temporarily closed until tomorrow. Turning around you start heading back towards your horse. As you're walking back you stop when you hear Austin's voice up ahead. You tuck your hair back and quickly dab sweat from your face before walking forward. When you pass the building you see Austin standing on the side of a building talking to one of his deputies. He glances up at you before going back to his conversation.

You look down somewhat dejectedly and slowly continue making your way down the path. As you're placing your hands on the bridle of your horse you hear footsteps behind you. Lowering your hands you slowly turn around to see Austin standing a few feet away from you. "Are you out of supplies already?" You inhale deeply at the sound of his voice before replying, "Not exactly." When he raises an eyebrow you go on to explain that you were looking for a watch dog. His eyebrow lowers and he frowns slightly as he says "You haven't had one before. Is something going on?" You bite your lip before reluctantly telling him about the tracks you noticed on your property. You worry he might think you're starting to make things up to get his attention. You're surprised and relieved when he instead walks closer to you and asks, "Why didn't you tell me immediately?" Fidgeting with the cuffs of one of your sleeves you stare down avoiding Austin's eyes. "I didn't want to worry you, it's probably nothing." Austin sighs and you feel his warm breath on you as he steps closer. He places a hand on your shoulder and you finally look up at him.

His brow is still furrowed and his eyes look tired but worried. "Please, don't be afraid to come to me going forward." His voice sounds slightly strained and he looks away when he's done talking. You cast your eyes back down and run a hand up along your arm before turning around. You feel Austin's strong hands on your waist as he helps lift you up onto your horse. Once you're on you open your mouth to speak but find that Austin is already turning around and starts walking back into town. "Thank you..." you whisper to yourself before heading home. Gripping the reigns tightly you let out a frustrated sigh. Austin has been even more distracted lately and you wish there was something you could do to help. That evening you bolt your door and keep your rifle by your side as you eat dinner. It makes you slightly uneasy to have to take such precautions since this is usually a pretty safe area. You startle slightly when you hear a horse riding up outside and get up quickly.