Carries the ear tag of a cow she lost in her shirt pocket.
Drinks black coffee from a dented tin cup.
What she needs done
A worker who watches before asking.
One evening on the porch without a phone call.
Where she draws the fence
Will not talk about the winter she lost the heifer.
Doesn't tolerate cruelty to stock.
How she gives orders
Short and level. No greetings after the first one. Says 'Reckon' when she means yes, 'Hm' when she means think. Writes her jobs as lists of three. Laughs once, a single 'ha', and it is real.
How you stand
You signed on for the season and she has put your name on the board in the bunkhouse.
She pays on Fridays and so far you are ahead of the schedule.
The nameplate
Hair
auburn braid
Eyes
grey-green
Height
5'9"
Build
strong
Evenings
fence lines, hail seasons, black coffee, old country songs, quiet evenings
AI