take it or leave it || WYATT?

[Menley Adams]

This was going to be alright. She was starting a new life for herself, but there was definitely nothing for her to fear. She wasn't a timid person by any means, and this wasn't going to scare her off. She was a hard worker, and an even harder person, and she would not quit easily. She didn't crumble under the amount of work load because she had been doing it all of her life. The ranches in California weren't as driven by cattle as this one was, but she was no stranger to dirt and sweat. Menley lived off of it for herself. What she had was what she had gotten for herself through hard work and dedication. She barely made it through now with what she had, and that was why she needed to get a job. Silver Stag Ranch had put an ad in the paper. Menley was answering it and hoping beyond all hope that it would still be an open position. She didn't know what she would do if she couldn't get this job now.

She was driving in her old ford diesel dually. It had seen better days, but it still pulled her old two horse trailer just fine. The truck was black in color, and the trailer was white. It was a simple duo, but she would never complained. She had purchased both things herself, and had been living out of them for the past year. She slept in the truck with her two dogs when it was cold out, but when it was nice she could be found in the trailer in the goose-neck part. She wasn't afraid of things like that, which was quite obvious to see. Menley felt bad that she had the trailer attached to her truck, because she didn't want the ranch owner to think she already thought she had the job. She just didn't have any place to put the trailer, or the black gelding that was inside of it. Sighing slightly, she prayed that this all worked out. For her animals' sake as well as her own.

Pulling down the long drive, Menley let herself take in her surroundings. This was why she loved Arizona, and the pure country around her. She could never deal with living in the city the way her mother had wanted her to. Scoffing at the thought of her mother, the young brunette shook her head and put the truck into park as she pulled in the drive. It was standard, and it stuck sometimes, but it never gave her too much trouble. Managing to get it settled, she turned it off and the silence that surrounded her was almost eerie. Ignoring that for now, she looked over at the dalmatian and the border collie cross that were sitting in the front seat together. Rayden and Singer had been with her through everything in the past two years. She had rescued them as puppies, and their bond was strong. The three would never be separated. She looked over and gave them both a scratch behind their ears.

"Watch the truck guard dogs."

She said with a small smile. The dogs were protective, but they were no guard dogs. They would leap into action if they thought Menley was in danger, but other than that they were sweethearts. Men put the window down for them a little, but since it was so cold she didn't want them to freeze to death. Just a little fresh air would so them some good. She wished she could let them out, but she didn't want to again, act like she owned the place. She was a respectful young woman as long as she got the respect. Pulling the brim of her black baseball cap down, she pulled her black carhartt more tightly around her, zipping it up against the cold. Her black gloves completed the appearance, and she knew her bibs were in the truck as well. However, she wore jeans and winter boots, which were perfect for the climate as of right now.

Looking around for a minute, she walked back to the trailer, knowing Bailou was standing calmly inside. He was a bit of a firecracker under saddle, but the two got along perfectly. They were much the same. Opening the side door, she saw his beautiful black head peak out. His nostrils flared as he took in the air, and he nipped playfully at Menley's jacket. She smiled and pushed his nose just as playfully as he had launched at her.

"Hopefully we can stay trouble. You need to stretch your legs."

She had been pulling up alongside roads to get on him and exercise him, and she knew he wasn't enjoying the trailer riding too much. He needed to get settled on a ranch, and she prayed this was the place. Sighing softly, she made sure he was alright before leaving his door open. He had his blankets on to keep him warm anyway. Backing away, she stepped around the truck and headed to the main barn, still feeling out of place. Oh well. It was time to man up and get going. Hopefully this could and would work.

[Wyatt Parker]

Word Count: 808
Status: Complete
Lyrics: Be Somebody by 3 Doors Down

Wyatt lifted the mug to his lips and tipped it back, taking in a fairly big gulp of the warm coffee. It was still steaming and the mug was hot to the touch. He dropped his arm, resting his elbow on his knee as he leaned forwards. Wyatt was sitting on the top rail of the fencing that made up the lining of Hero's enclosure. The stallion was standing not far from where Wyatt was seated. The mustang had been particularly interested in one of the mare's on the ranch and seemed to be courting her across the distance that separated their two paddocks. Hawk was one of the mare's in season which was causing some trouble with the stallions. She was standing along the fencing of her own paddock and although she appeared to be ignoring Hero, she had been lingering a very long time. Wyatt wrapped both of his hands around the mug. He watched the two, scrutinizing the situation. He did not often let his stallion take some of the opportunites that arose when the mare's were in heat, but he seemed to be considering this pair. Hawk was a strong mare but at the same time she could have a hot temper. Wyatt didn't know if he wanted that reaching further into the Silver Stag bloodlines.

He lifted up his hand to adjust his stetson and let out a low whistle. Hero flicked his ears towards the sound and hesitated a moment before turning his head towards Wyatt.

Yeah, I mean you.

Hero grumbled deeply in his chest and crossed the distance between himself and his owner, bumping his muzzle against Wyatt's boot. He eventually stood right in front of Wyatt and lifted his head, standing as tall and proud as any other mustang stallion. Hero was as magnificient as any wild horse with his jet black coat and good confirmation. Wyatt reached forwards and patted his horse's neck, stroking his winter coat.

The shades gone up
Mothers staring down
She don't know where he's been
Or how long he's been out

She said 'Boy I'm tired of waiting up while your out with your friends'
He said 'Mom I'm trying and I'm living my life the best way that I can'

Cause I'm trying to be somebody
I'm not trying to be somebody else
This life is mine I'm living
Don't you know me? I wont ever let you down

The day has come
The sun is moving on
She don't know where he'll go
Or when he's coming home

Hey big man.

Hero turned his head towards Wyatt again and bumped his muzzle against his knee. Although Hero was an exciteable horse under the saddle, he could be as docile as a deer when Wyatt sat for a long time with him just like this. The two had a strong bond and as much crap as they gave each other, they stuck through it all together. Wyatt put his hand over his bruised shoulder and then dropped his hand to the fence to balance himself. He lifted the mug to his lips again then cast his eyes else where. Both seemed at peace and the main yard exuded a kind of calmness. Both of his current ranch hands were out on their horses checking the trail nearest the ranch. It was the trail they would be using to guide the cattle along from their grazing area to Silver Stag. They had given them these few weeks out in the open, delayed because Wyatt had been otherwise occupied with his wife's illness. The cattle drive would be taking place later in the week and Wyatt was tight on staff that he would need on the ranch whilst a few others went on the drive.

A whicker rumbled in Hero's throat as the stallion stared through the fence poles out towards the main yard. Wyatt ignored him for a moment until the stallion called out again, this time it was a fairly loud whinny that echoed off of the quiet yard. Wyatt turned from his position on the fence and looked towards the area that lay open between the bunker and ranch house, and the barn and paddocks. There was a car with a horse trailer and Wyatt's eyes narrowed. He didn't recognize the vehicle and neither did he recognize the woman walking towards the barn. He gave Hero another pat on the neck before dropping off of the fence, coffee mug in hand. He finished off the last of its contents and then loosely held the mug in his bare hands whilst walking towards the barn.

Once he reached the barn he headed down the aisle. He was greeted with the sight of something yet again unfamiliar. He had no idea who this woman has but he had certainly not been expecting her.

Ma'am?

He spoke, his expression questioning her as his brow furrowed. That was a typical Wyatt Parker expression - furrowing his brow.

Anyone expecting ya?

He stood still whilst facing the stranger. Up ahead there was a bird moving from one of the roof struts, flying off to its nest that it had built in the corner of the rafters. It was a cosy place but it was fairly dark in the barn in the receeding corners. The only light available to them was from the windows overhead and the light coming in through the large double doors.

[Menley Adams]

Ma'am? Oh he sure was a regular cowboy, but Menley respected that. It was obvious that he worked hard for a living and she could tell just by looking at him. A lot of the ranchers in California could not be considered real ranchers. They didn't do the work, and they just sat behind their fancy desks in their fancy homes "overseeing" everything. It made Menley want to punch that smirk right off their faces. And when they came prancing through the aisles of the barn that they had no hand in running other than paying for it to be built, Menley's skin crawled. She hated them, and that was an understatement. She was by no means a professional when it came to ranching. She still had a lot to learn and she respected that, but she still knew a good amount. She could rope a cow or a steer just as well as the next one, and when it came to cutting, her and Bailou were a pair. They had a system, and it was like they could read one another's minds.

But Menley absolutely hated the ranchers who weren't really ranchers. She hated when this was a hobby to someone because they had that much money to throw around. It was what happened in California. However, it was still hard work for a ranch hand. The stalls might be fancy and the horses might be expensive, but they were still horses and they still had to be picked up after. Fences had to be fixed and things needed to be done. Men was no stranger too all of that. And she didn't want anyone thinking that she was. People always doubted her. She would always have to fix their opinion of her, even if it took some time. She was small in size, but that didn't mean a thing. She was strong; a lot stronger than most of the people around. She could handle lifting and moving heavy things, and she was accustomed to dealing with wild and spirited horses. They thought they could pull her around, but she set them all straight.

But now as she turned on her booted heel to face the man who spoke, she knew that it was not going to be like that here. He was sizing her up just as she was sizing him up, and there was no apparent friendliness in her eyes. She of course was not coming off as rude in any way, but she didn't know this man. A lot of people would hurry forward to shake their new hopeful employer's hand, but Menley wasn't like that. She had a lot of trust problems, but she would never admit to that. She called it being careful. She was alone in this world now, and she didn't have anyone to fall back on. She wasn't expecting to, and she certainly didn't want it, but it would be nice to have a sense of security that friends would give her. However, that wasn't happening here, and she needed to be careful for it. Menley took a deep breath, hearing his next sentence and exhaling. This was what she was worried about. She didn't want him getting the wrong idea from the trailer and her basic life packed up behind them in the truck and trailer.

Extending her hand for him to shake, she spoke up. She would be respectful because he was being respectful. She just didn't know how respectful the rancher would be once he found out she was a twenty one year old woman. Would he even take her seriously? It was worth a shot, but she was a little worried. She had a mouth on her, and even though it didn't produce swears, it certainly could start tempers and insult. She just didn't want to come off the wrong foot here.

"No sir. My name's Menley Adams. I saw you were lookin' to hire some ranch hands. I wanted to apply."

There. She had spoken what was necessary. Menley wasn't one to beat around the bush with all of that. She just prayed he wouldn't think it was rude. She had introduced herself and stated her purpose, what else did he really need? She didn't speak what didn't need to be spoken, and that was that. Menley's accent was that of someone from the west. She hadn't been living in California for very long, and instead had been moving from place to place. Montana had been her recent home, followed by Nevada. She was country and west raised, even if she wasn't born there. She hated her early roots, and refused to acknowledge them. Menley stood solid now, her eyes watching for Wyatt's reaction. She was a strong young woman, and she just hoped he'd at least give her a chance.