Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
WYL
Saturday morning, the chirping birds woke me.
The darkness faded as the sun's golden glow crept over the eastern horizon, lighting the tent. The horses nickered, a comforting sound I always enjoyed. The warm body plastered against my chest comforted me as well. I missed camping out. Stewy and I used to camp out in high school, but we never shared a sleeping bag. I didn’t camp out at all during my time in the Corps.
Oh…I slept outside a few times, but sleeping in a massive tent with other Marines differed from camping on the ranch.
Lying here with my arm wrapped around Rod, I figured this would be one of our favorite activities.
He stirred, and I tightened my embrace. “Morning, cowboy.”
He raised his head as if trying to figure out where he was. My warm hand stroked his chest, and his head fell on the pillow as he wiggled closer to me. “Morning,” Rod mumbled. He threaded his fingers through mine and tightened his grip.
“You awake, babe?” I kissed Rod’s ear and attempted to remove my hand.
“Nooooo,” Rod groaned in protest. “You’re so warm, and I like snuggling with you.”
“I like snuggling with you, too, babe, but I gotta pee.”
“Well, now that you mention peeing, so do I.” Rod released his grip.
I rolled over to crawl out of the sleeping bag.
Rod stretched and reached over to caress my bare back. His touch made me shiver.
“Is my hand cold?”
“No,” I said.” But unless we want a wet sleeping bag, I need to crawl out.” I unzipped the tent.
Rod pushed off the sleeping bag and followed me into the brisk morning.
“Brrrr,” Rod said. “Somebody turn up the thermostat!”
“The heater is coming up in the east.” I laughed, pointing. “You’ll soon feel the warmth.” I glanced at Rod. “Aim your pee so it doesn’t splash on your feet.”
“Soon?” Rod whined as his flow made an arc. “Don’t you have any ranch magic to make it hurry?”
Birds flew to and from the trees near the spring.
The fresh spring water provided an oasis for various wildlife, including antelope, wild hogs, and an occasional wildcat.
We didn't see any large wild animals on this campout.
Still, I counted a few antelope tracks when I haltered the horses yesterday.
I glanced over at Rod. The cold morning air shrank his manhood. “I remember your thing being bigger.”
“Shut up,” Rod chuckled. “Unlike me, my dick is smart enough to go inside when it’s freezing.”
I laughed. “It’s not freezing. I bet it’s in the low 60s out.” I grabbed a towel from the rock where we left them the night before, shaking it in case a crawly thing had nestled in it overnight. “Let’s wash up, then we can dress and sit by the fire.”
“One, after crawling out of a sleeping bag containing my rancher/bed-warmer, low 60s is freezing according to my body. Two, splashing my cold body with colder water sounds like a terrible idea.” Rod grabbed his towel and pointed to the gray pile of ashes in the fire pit. “Three, what fire?”
“If you don’t want saddle sores, wash up. Be sure to shake out your towel in case something crawly used it for a blanket. And the ashes cover live embers. We’ll have the fire going in no time.” Towel in hand, I crept barefoot to the spring.
“We, huh?” Rod shook out his towel and followed me. “Is this all part of becoming a cowboy?”
“Yes, we. You’re the one who wanted to go camping on horseback.” I shot Rod a grin as I splashed cold water on my privates.
“Me and my bright ideas,” Rod muttered. He splashed the icy water on his privates, now little more than a cock head hiding in a hole in his groin.
We dried off fast and tugged on our clothes, then bundled into our coats to ward off the early morning chill.
“Find a couple handfuls of dry grass.” I pointed to a few dry tufts near our campsite.
“I’ll gather wood and then show you the magic of a campfire.
” Rod gathered the grass while I found a few dried sticks and larger wood on the other side of the spring.
A few minutes later, we sat on our fireside log.
I stirred the ashes to expose the embers and added a handful of dry grass.
The grass began to smoke before erupting in flames.
I added twigs, then larger branches. Soon, a blazing campfire warmed us.
“This starting a fire from nothing business is rancher magic, right?” Rod exposed his palms to the heat of the fire. “If I search your pockets, I’ll find a lighter.”
I shook my head. “If you searched my pockets, you'd find something much more exciting than a lighter.”
“So, you did start this fire from the ashes?”
I barked a laugh. “You watched me.”
“Yeah, but I figured you used a secret thing to make me think starting a fire was easy.”
“No secret thing, babe. You’ll learn. I tell you what, next camping trip, I’ll let you start the fire in the morning.”
“Okay, as long as you’re here to help. Now, where do we plug in the coffeemaker?”
I laughed again. “You are such a city boy.” I pointed to the aluminum coffee pot on one rock, the finish dull and blackened. “What’s that?”
Rod studied the object. “An antique coffee pot?”
“Coffee pot, yes. Antique, no. Walt bought it from the ranch supply store last year.”
Rod’s mouth dropped open. “Last year?”
“What…you think we buy a new coffee pot for every campout? Fill the pot with water from the spring while I find the coffee.”
Rod rose from the warmth of the fireside and grabbed the black handle. He filled the pot and brought it back to me. “Here, Mr. Rancher, sir. I can’t wait to see how this makes coffee.”
I poured some water out before tossing two coffee pods into the pot and snapping on the lid. I stirred the fire to expose a few glowing embers and set the pot on them.
Rod raised an eyebrow. “Coffee pods?”
“The greatest thing ever invented. We used to have grounds in our coffee, but the pods are coffee in little filter bags.”
“I assume we have cups. I never envisioned camping being quite so…rustic.”
I reached into my knapsack. “What did you expect camping to be like? A motor home with air conditioning, running water, refrigerator, and satellite TV?” The rattle of metal soon resulted in two tin cups. I handed one to Rod.
Rod shook his head. “No, that’s not camping. I went camping several times back in Boy Scouts, but we always brought ample food supplies.” Rod tapped his fingernails on the bottom of his cup, adding a rhythmic tinking sound. “Not bone china, but serviceable.”
“On what television show did cowboys around a campfire drink from bone china?” I laughed.
Rod grinned. “Good point. I can’t wait to inhale the aroma of breakfast cooking.”
“Ah, yes, breakfast.” I rummaged in my knapsack and pulled out two granola bars, tossing one to Rod. “Bon appétit!”
He groaned as he unwrapped the granola bar and crunched his way through breakfast.
I poured coffee into Rod’s tin cup before filling my own. We sat on the log, sipping coffee and admiring the sunrise.
Rod gazed at me. “Thanks for bringing me here. This is the most peaceful place I’ve ever been. No wonder you love being on the ranch so much.”
“The ranch got ten times better when a certain professor came.” I put my arm around Rod and scooted closer to him. “You add so much to my life.”
Rapid hoofbeats grabbed our attention. “What the…” I stood and focused on the sound. A riderless white horse raced in our direction, stirrups flapping at its side. Behind galloped another horse and rider in pursuit.
Walt’s new horse, Princess, sped by with our ranch foreman, Felipe, in hot pursuit. I waved my arms, and Felipe slowed enough for a breathless shout.
“Mr. Wyl…Mr. Wyl…Princess…she got spooked by a snake, and Mr. Walt fell off when she reared. He hurt bad. Over that way,” he pointed in the direction he came. “About half a mile.”
Panic tore through me. “Oh my God, Felipe. Forget Princess. Go to the house and call the hospital. Tell them we need the Medivac helicopter at Sterling Ranch right away.”
“Si, Mr. Wyl.” Felipe gigged his horse and sped off toward the ranch house.
I grabbed Rod’s arm. “Let’s go, Roddy. We need to find Walt.” We ran to the horses.
Rod helped me saddle and bridle the steeds as best he could. In five minutes, we mounted and galloped in the direction Felipe showed.
One of the four ranch hands, Luke, knelt beside Walt, cradling his head. I jumped off my horse, ran to Walt, and knelt beside my brother.
Rod jumped off Blanket and grabbed Sarge’s reins. Pedro hurried over and took the horses. Rod rushed and knelt at my side.
Walt’s chest rose and fell with each breath.
I looked up. “What happened, Luke?”
“He fell against the rocks when Princess reared. A rattlesnake startled her.”
I glanced at Rod. “Stay here. Luke, you stay too.”
I raced to my saddlebag and pulled out the first-aid kit. I spotted a bright orange package inside the lid and tossed it to the remaining two ranch hands. “Charles, you and Doug find an open spot and spread this out. The bright color will help the helicopter find our location.”
The two ranch hands raced to a spot twenty yards to the right. They anchored the bright orange triangle with stones, aiming the pointy end toward where Walt lay.
I returned to Walt and took his hand. “Help is on the way, Walt. Hang on.” I gasped, trying to control the emotions welling up. I couldn’t lose him. “I need you, brother. You are my only family.” My stomach knotted. He lay unresponsive, but breathing.
Rod placed an arm around my shoulders. I leaned into Rod’s embrace, still clutching Walt’s hand. Rod was my rock, and I needed his support.
Fifteen minutes later, the rhythmic beating of the helicopter blades grew louder.
It landed on open ground forty yards from Walt.
The paramedics rushed over and assessed Walt’s situation.
After stabilizing him, they strapped him to a body board.
They loaded him into the helicopter for the flight to the hospital.
“I need to go with him,” I pleaded with the medical rescue team.
“You’ll have to come in a vehicle, sir,” one of the EMTs said. “The helicopter isn’t designed to handle the extra weight.”
Dazed and in shock, I grabbed Rod’s hand. “Can you take me to the hospital?” My voice trembled.
“Let’s go.” Rod put his arm around my shoulders and guided me to our horses.
“Thanks,” I whispered. I watched the helicopter rise and head toward Blackfield, taking my only family to the medical help he needed.
We mounted and took off at a fast gallop toward home. I hoped Walt was still alive when we got to the hospital.