New to Space Traveler Fargone? Start at the beginning
“Nice to meet you. Becky,” I said. “So opera singing keeps the walkers away?”
“Sure does. But sometimes I don’t know which is worse, the walkers or that unnatural caterwauling opera lovers call singing.”
I chuckled. “It seems folks either love or hate opera. Anyway, we would love to visit your ranch, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. I am heading out after I pick up some supplies at Bill’s. Finish up your lunch and meet me outside. My wagon is parked in front of the store.”
We finished our lunch and walked outside, where Becky was waiting on her wagon.
“One of ya can sit up here with me. The other two will have to sit in the wagon.”
“Go ahead, Em,” I said. “You can be the co-pilot.”
“Ow. My sides hurt from laughing,” Em replied sarcastically.
Flow didn’t even ask. She must be picking up on human sarcasm.
The ride to Becky’s ranch was bumpy, but it beat walking.
“I hope this isn’t too personal, but do you have a husband?” Em asked Becky.
“Had one. Good man, too. His name was Carl Featherfluff. We grew up together. Fought with each other during our school days. Then puberty kicked in.” Becky started laughing. “All of a sudden, he took a shine to me. I didn’t mind, either.” Becky laughed again. “We built our ranch together. Had Elizabeth. It was a good life. Then one day, Carl was riding to town a stampede of lizards trampled him to death.”
“How big are these lizards?”
“Normal-sized. You ain’t never seen a lizard either?”
“No. We aren’t from around here.”
“They’re almost as tall as a horse, but twice the weight. And covered in scales.”
“Really? What do they eat?”
“Anything that grows out of the ground. Grass, bushes, trees.”
“Not people?”
Becky laughed. “Not people. Wait. You might be in luck. Look over there.”
Becky pointed to a small cloud of dust in the distance that was growing larger. Whatever was making the dust cloud was heading our way. A minute later, I saw it. Running as fast as a horse, a creature that I can only describe as a huge armadillo ran past us.
“That was a lizard?” Em asked.
“Sure was. They don’t usually spend much time in herds, so stampedes are rare. But that was my Carl’s luck. He had a way of finding trouble. But I loved him anyway.”
“When did he pass?”
“Been ten years now.”
“And you never considered remarrying?”
“I considered it. But no one ‘round here was worth my time. Eventually, I got used to being on my own. I don’t mind it now, for the most part. I suppose if the right fella came along, I’d give it a second thought. But that ain’t likely.”
“You never know.”
“You are a sweetie.”
I almost choked when I heard that remark and started coughing.
“You alright back there?” Becky asked.
“Yeah. Just swallowed a little dust,” I replied.
We rode in silence for a while, admiring the beautiful scenery. Rust-colored buttes rose in the distance, and a tree-lined stream flowed next to the trail we were following. Then the temperature suddenly dropped, and it became freezing cold.
“Is that snow?” I asked.
“Yeehaah! Go Mushy! Run! Yeehaah!” Becky shouted at her horse. The horse started running, and we bounced around in the back of the wagon.
“What’s happening?” Em shouted.
“Snowstorm. We gotta make it to the ranch before we all freeze to death.”
As we raced down the trail, a ranch came into view in the distance. But the snow started falling heavier, and the horse was struggling to pull us.”
“Throw whatever you can off the wagon. We’ll go back for it later,” Becky shouted.
Flow and I started tossing everything loose out of the wagon. I was shivering.
After emptying the wagon, I looked toward the ranch and couldn’t see anything but snow.