The New Hand Part One

Author Note:
The following was divided down from the original posting. it was a 'thank you' story to a young lady on another site who has since passed away
A consensual stroy told in his /her perspective

From the window of the encased veranda I watch the drifter make his way up my drive from the main route through the county. A shotgun close by just in case he turned violent when I asked him to leave my property. There was only me and Lucas, my main hand on the property now and Lucas was on the back forty mending fences so it would take him a while to get back here if I needed him.

The closer he got, for some reason the calmer I became. His stride was like he was meandering along, his body language was one of despair, he barely looked up to see where he was going. I didn’t want him to close so I went out standing by the post supporting the eaves. Putting on an act of bravery “Can I help you Mister?”

I startled him into stopping dead in his tracks, his head snapping up, looking straight at me.

“Sorry to trespass ma’am!” His hand came up to his ball cap, removing it before continuing “Just wondering if you had any jobs that needed doing!” He spoke with a bit of nervousness in his voice. “I’m not looking for money!, just a place to stay and maybe a meal then I’ll be off on my next leg to Denver.” He never breaks eye contact with my eyes, something that surprised me.

Now I’m far from vain but I am used to men giving me the one over from top to toe but he never moved his eyes from mine. It was strangely refreshing to meet someone who didn’t, maybe that was why I took him at face value “Well I need someone to help fix the fences on the back forty if you're willing?

The walk in from Ermel Road was a long curve like most ranch entrances in Fountain Colorado were. I didn’t want to appear threatening so I slowed my pace and kept my head down. I had no idea how long I was traversing the drive when I stopped dead after hearing ““Can I help you Mister?” Only then did I look up and lo and behold the most gorgeous face I’ve ever seen in person captured my eyes.

“Sorry to trespass ma’am!” Taking my cap off like my dad taught me when in the presence of a lady. Nervous, I continued “Just wondering if you had any jobs that needed doing!” Locking my eyes on her like mom taught me “I’m not looking for money!, just a place to stay and maybe a meal then I’ll be off on my next leg to Denver.”

Her eyes never leave mine ““Well I need someone to help fix the fences on the back forty if you're willing?” Instant relief comes to me and I relax a bit inside.

“Whatever ma’am I’m not proud to do an honest day’s work, just show me where and I‘ll begin!”

“Wait here and I’ll get my keys and I’ll drive you out to Lucas!” I do exactly what she says. Two minutes later a black Dodge Ram pickup drove around from the left side of the house and stopped, the passenger window rolled down “Hop in and I’ll see that Lucas puts you to work!” A few minutes later we pulled up beside a grey pickup, its tailgate down, a guy dressed in a denim shirt and jeans with a black ten gallon stetson on his head.

I don’t know why I feel so safe in his presence but I do! “Wait here and I’ll get my keys and I’ll drive you out to Lucas!” Returning inside I grab my keys and go through the house to the kitchen and to the door leading into the garage. Driving around I swear he’s in the exact spot I last saw him in. “Hop in and I’ll see that Lucas puts you to work!” Within minutes we’re pulling up beside Lucas’s grey pickup “Lucas this is …?” Then I realised I never asked nor did he offer me a name, looking at him.

“Graeme, Graeme Cartier!’ Holding out his hand towards me and after we shook, to Lucas

“Well Graeme Cartier, I’m Amy Tenison and this is Lucas Harper!” Turning to Lucas “He’s agreed to help with the fencing in exchange for a meal and a place to stay the night!” Lucas looks me dead in the eye with concern on his face, he’s about to say something by I give him the ‘don’t argue look’, shutting him up instantly!

Lucas gives Graeme a task and I stay to see how he goes about it, then I get back into my pickup watching the two of them work until I’m far enough away that they are like ants in the rearview mirror. I don’t see either of them until Seven PM.

The rest of the day my mind kept returning to Cartier and how quiet he seemed. A little after six fifty I sat the table with three dinner settings and awaited the arrival of the guys. A little after seven the knock came to the door. Rushing it to open it I see both of them standing there sweaty and I was hoping to be hungry!

Lucas did the standard brushing past me, his eyes on the table, while Graeme waited on the veranda, sliding his backpack and bedroll off his shoulders. Setting it down,then he removed his boots before sitting down with his back to the door. “Graeme, aren’t you coming in for dinner, after all that was part of the deal!”

“I don’t enter someone’s home unless asked ma’am!” His response shocked me! In this day and age “Especially when I reek of sweat!”

“Oh yes I’m sure you would like to shower before eating, how stupid of me!” Moving out of the door pointing to the stairs, “Second door on the right, fist door is the linen closet where you’ll find clean towels!” At first I thought he was going to stay outside until i saw he picked up his boots and placed then along with his backpack by the door.

“Thank you ma’am!” Coming in his head slightly bowed and making his way up the stairs while I went to the dining room to talk with Lucas! No sooner do I enter then Lucas starts.

“Well Amy if it’s at all possible I would try to get that young man to stick around if possible!” Taking a sip of water before continuing “He more than did his fair share of the work and didn’t hesitate to try something he’s never done before!” Spooning some of the Cowboy Casserole I made for dinner into a tupperware container. He went on to tell me all he got out of Graeme, about the reason he was walking from Fort Garland to Denver and how he’s been at it for the last five days by doing exactly what he was doing here, trading work for a meal and a place to sleep!

“I tell you Amy, I would do whatever it took to get him to stay, not a better worker than we’ve ever had here even when Jim ran the place!” The mention of my husband’s name brought my memories of his back to me full ****. Even after five years his **** caused me pain, the sudden onset of cancer caught us all by surprise. I inherited most of his personal wealth and decided to keep the only home the two of us really ever knew!

Before anything else could be said Graeme came down dressed in the same clothes he went up in. “Thank you Miss Tenison!, I didn’t think I would be proper company smelling like I was!” He actually reached into his pants pocket to extract money to pass me. “This should cover the water I used!” Placing in my palm two twenties. I look at him and wonder what was going through his mind, people don’t pay to shower!

I pocket the money thinking of ways to return it to him before he left my property. I sit down to eat, motioning him to do the same, as he does Lucas gets up. “Will see you tomorrow Amy and I’ll return the tupperware also, Night Graeme, it was a pleasure working with you!” Reaching out his hand to him, shaking his and nodding to me then a wink!

That left Graeme and me, eating Cowboy Casserole in silence!