Dawn to Dusk

 Sara M. and Allyson

Sequel to "The Ranch, the Gold, and the Way"

Chad glanced at Philip as they rode to the ranch, I am going to teach Philip to best one of the best ranch hands around, he vowed silently, plus a gold miner. 

“Boss?” Philip spoke up,

“Yeah, Philip?” Chad asked

“Um, do you want me to keep working on the ranch?”

“Yes, Philip, we are going to teach you how to be a good ranch hand. We are almost here. How ‘bout starting cleaning stalls? I’ll join you and tell you about the christan way.”

Philip agreed so they rode in the barn and quickly rubbed down the horses and let them go in the pasture. Chad and Philip got two pitchforks and set to work, “Philip, when I meant the christan way I meant Jesus Christ. He died for our sins and wants us to repent and follow Him. He will come in our heart and be with us.” 

Philip was quiet but finally answered, “How do I do this?” he asked

Chad smiled and explained. 

 Philip felt free, he had accepted Christ and followed Him. He felt free, free indeed. He stood and looked at the stalls, they were all cleaned out so he went to find Chad, “Chad?” he called

“What’s up, Philip?” Chad came out of the house, 

“I’m finished.” he said

“Great, I’m about to check cattle fences, come along?” 

“Sure, I have gloves this time.” Philip gave a sheepish grin

Chad smiled, “Don’t forget,  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” 

“Thanks, Chad.” 

Chad nodded and they went to the barn to saddle up their horses. “Philip, grab a saddle for yourself and watch how I do it.” Chad picked up a saddle of the hook and placed it on Sky’s back, he adjusted the saddle blanket, straightened the saddle and clinched it up. He turned to Philip who was watching him carefully, Chad looked questionly at him,

“Yep, I think I can do that.” Philip did the same as Chad had done.

“Look great! Good job, Philip.” Chad grinned at him

“Thanks, are we all set?”

“Yep,” Chad answered, “let's head for the east pasture.” 

“Sounds good.” 

 Philip saw a broken fence, the top wire had snapped, “Can you fix that, Philip? His boss asked

“I sure can.” Philip grinned, he reached in the saddle bags and pulled out his gloves, Chad nodded his approval.

He strung the wires back together, he figured Chad could do it faster but he was learning!

He threw the gloves back in the saddle bags when he finished and mounted his horse. 

“Good going, Philip!” Chad said. 

“Thanks, and thanks for teaching me about this.” Philip said

“No problem, Philip.” 

 They rode and checked all the fences, Philip and Chad fixed one more place and that was all. “Let’s head back,” Chad glanced at the sky, “it's late evening, around 7. That okay with you?” Chad looked at his ranch hand,

“Sure thing, boss! Question though, how do you know what time it is?” Philip asked

Chad thought for a minute then answered, “Well, the sun helps me tell as well as the shadows. I’ll give you a lesson here on the way back.” 

“Awesome,” Philip said as they started for Circle C Ranch. “Are you going to keep me as a ranch hand? Like, will I need to get another job to earn some cash?”

“Nope, I’ll be paying you. No worries there.”

Philip nodded. “Sounds good.”

 Upon arriving at the ranch Chad said “Philip? Let’s unsaddle our horses and rub them down. And water them” he got a twinkle in his eye

Philip groaned inwardly, he’d never live that one down! “Sure.” he said forcefully

Chad laughed, “Come on, I was just teasing, Philip!”

“I know.” Philip couldn't get in the barn fast enough, his thoughts turned to yesterday's events, he laughed softly, I guess that was pretty fun! Watering a horse does not mean dumping water on him! The more Philip thought about it the funnier it became. “See, it's funny, Philip?” Chad followed him in the barn.

“Whatever,” Philip was no way going to admit what he was thinking to his boss!

He quickly slung the saddle off his horse and Chad did the same to his. He set the saddle on the hooks and grabbed the brushes and started brushing his horse thoroughly but quickly. 

Chad followed the suit. After they finished they led the horses to their stalls and went to get water, Chad grabbed a bucket and so did Philip, Philip grinned, this time he was going to give it to the horse not dump it on him!

He filled the bucket and placed it in the stall. 

“All finished?” Chad asked and when Philip nodded he went on, “Looks like we are done for today. Tomorrow, I’ll see you bright and early. Later, Philip.” Chad waved and went in the house while Philip headed for the bunkhouse. Philip stopped outside the bunkhouse, he glanced at the sky “I wonder how my family is doing.”

“What?” Sid came out of the bunkhouse

“Nothing.” Philip answered

Sid looked at him but didn’t say anything. Philip hurried inside the bunkhouse and Sid followed. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 “What is that?” Andi Carter wondered aloud to Taffy as they came upon an old shack that she had never seen before. Andi rode closer, she saw nothing so she dismounted Taffy and tied her to a tree nearby. She nudged open the shack’s door with her foot and gasped. There was a boy sitting on the floor! His eyes widened and he shot to his feet, “What are you doing here?” he demanded 

 

Earlier that day

 Andi woke up and looked out her window, it was a nice sunny day, “A perfect day for riding!” she exclaimed and ran to the banister, she looked at it longly. Andi grinned, she hopped on the banister and sid down ....into Chad’s arms! 

“Oops!” Andi jumped away from Chad and ran to the table.

“Andi! I think you know better by now!” Chad glared at her

Andi smirked and sat down to eat. Her siblings exchanged amused glances but said nothing besides a “Good morning!”

 After breakfast Andi marched outside, she started to saddle up Taffy when Chad came in behind her. “Andi.” Chad’s voice was stern.

“What?” Andi looked over at him

“The stalls.”

“Not again! I want to go riding! Mother said I could.” Andi said firmly

“After you muck stalls. Lucky for you because there are only three that need done!”

“Fine.” Andi hurried and mucked those stalls! After doing so she saddled up Taffy. She rode out into the sunshine, she saw Chad over by the water trough talking with a fellow ranch hand, it was Sid. Andi grinned, “Now, wouldn't it be funny to push Chad into the horse trough!” she thought

Like Chad knew what she was thinking he glanced over at her and Andi laughed and kicked Taffy into trot. 

 They rode along for a long time, there were many trails Andi had never been on. She was riding on a new trail when she saw the shack, 

 

Back to the present

Andi didn’t know what to say. What should I say? Andi wondered, who is this boy? Andi didn’t know but vowed to find out. “I was riding and saw this shack.” Andi knew it was in Circle C Ranch land even if she never saw it before. 

“Okay. Why are you here?” the boy glared at Andi

“I don’t believe you need to know. I don’t have to tell you. Who are you and why are you here?” Andi fired questions of her own.

The boy winced, “Sorry if I seemed rough. Just used to doing that. My name is Joe Parker.”

Parker, Parker, that name sounds familiar Andi thought but I can’t quite place it. Then saying aloud she induced herself, “I am Andi Carter, I live over that way,” Andi waved her hand toward Circle C, “why are you here?” she asked 

Joe frowned at her, “Why should I tell you?”

“Cause you are on Circle C Ranch land.” Andi frowned back

Joe’s eyes narrowed as he watched her, “Okay….” he drew out the word, “I am looking for my brother, he left a while back looking for a job to provide for our family, I am trying to find him but I don’t really know where to look.”

Andi thought for a few minutes, there has to be something with the last name but what! Andi thought, “What is his name?”

“Philip, Philip Parker, I always called him Phil.” Joe stared off in the distance thinking back.

“Philip Parker!” it clicked, 

“Yeah, Philip Parker.” Joe gave her a strange look.

Andi laughed, “I know who Philip Parker is! He works at our ranch, with plenty of ranch experience.”

Joe looked at her in surprise, “Philip at your ranch?” his face fell slightly, “It can’t be Phil, he does not know any ranch experience.”

“I know, I'm pretty sure it's him. He wanted a job and said he had ranch experience but he didn’t as we found out but he is learning! My brother, Chad, is teaching him.” Andi said

Joe looked doubtful but said, “We can check it out. When?”

“Why not right now?” Andi asked

“If you are sure….” Joe was a bit hesitant 

“I am! Come along.” Andi mounted Taffy and Joe climbed on behind her.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Philip was sitting outside the bunkhouse relaxing a bit before he bedded down for the night when he spotted the boss’ younger sister riding towards him. He stood, “Hey,” he called out “what’s up, Andi?”

Andi rode all the way up to him and dismounted, there was another person behind her on Taffy, Philip couldn't tell who it was right away because it was getting dark out. The person dismounted and Philip saw it was a boy, he heard a gasp and suddenly the boy cried out, “Phil!” and ran towards him.

“Joe?” Philip’s voice was barely above a whisper

“Yes! Yes! It's me, Joe! Phil!” Joe hugged him,

“Joe!” Phil couldn't believe it was his younger brother!

“How, why, when?” Philip was dumbfounded once Joe let go,

Joe just grinned, he tapped his first finger, “How? I just did!” he tapped his next finger, “Why? The family and I missed you.” he tapped another finger, “When? Andi,” Joe nodded his head towards her, “told me there was someone with the last name Parker working at Circle C Ranch and made me come look.” Joe grinned at Andi, “And, my, I sure am glad she did!”

Philip turned to Andi, “Thanks, Andi for telling Joe where I was.” he said gratefully

“No problem, Philip, I’ll talk to you later.” she remounted her horse and rode to the barn. 

Philip smiled and turned back to Joe. “Joe, let’s sit out in the grass and catch up.”

Joe nodded in agreement.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andi smiled as she rode to the barn, “I’m glad Joe found Philip.” she said to herself, she slid off Taffy once she reached the barn, Andi couldn't stop smiling as she re thought all what had happened that day, 

“Hey Andi. What’s with the smile?” Chad came in

Andi smiled even more and told him the whole story,  “Wow, I’m glad Joe found Philip.”

“I am too, Chad.” Andi quickly finished brushing down Taffy and put her into the stall. 

“Andi…. I believe there are a few stalls waiting.” Chad said with a grin, no doubt expecting Andi’s reaction. 

Andi grinned to herself, “That’s a good idea.” Andi went and got a wheelbarrow and a pitchfork and pushed it to the barn and started mucking stalls. She wore a sly grin when she saw Chad peer in with his mouth open. He didn’t believe it! Surprise, surprise big brother! Andi giggled. As Andi cleaned the stalls she re-thought the day's surprising events. 

 ~~~~~~~~~

Philip and Joe Parker sat next to another on the grass, “I still can’t believe you are here, Joe.” Philip said softly, smiling

“I know, Phil, I can’t believe I finally found you.” Joe smiled back.

“What’s new?”

“What’s new?” Joe echoed the question, “Everything, dad got a job working a sawmill nearby home. Mother now works and does sewing. We have a new sister. We are back on our feet and I came to find you and tell you. Are you going to come home?” Joe said

“I’m not sure yet, Joe. I want to but I’m not sure if I’m ready yet.” Philip said slowly,

“I understand, Phil. Do you think your boss will mind if I work alongside you?” Joe asked

“I’m sure he won’t and he will likely pay you too. Just don’t ‘water’ a horse!” Philip burst out laughing,

“What?” Joe asked

“I got some stories to tell.” Philip laughed, he laid back and told his stories. 

“You seriously dumped a bucket of water on a horse?”, Joe laughed a little while later, 

“Yep!!” 

“Woah!”

“Yeah, Chad, my boss, was quite shocked to say the least.” Philip bashfully grinned 

Joe just laughed, “That is hilarious.” 

“It wasn’t then but now? I guess so!” Philip laughed 

Joe nodded looking off into the distance, into the hills and valleys.

“What’s up, Joe?” Philip asked

“I was wondering what it would be like to live here, to move here with the whole family.” Joe said

Philip didn’t say anything for a minute, “We will ask the boss.” he stood and pulled Joe to his feet,  “Come on, brother, race you back!” Philip took off like a little boy with Joe right behind him. 

 ~~~~~~

Chad chuckled seeing Philip and Joe race towards him, he grinned, “It was fun racing Mitch and Justin when we were younger.” he said to himself,

Philip and Joe reached him, “Hey boss, we have a question,” Philip started, “Could our family buy or rent a cabin to live here at Circle C?” 

Chad wondered how they came up with such a question, “I’m sure we could but instead of buying or renting how about you two and your family just work at Circle C Ranch?”

Philip wore a look of surprise and said, “You mean it?”

“I do.” Chad was sure, he could use the help and his family could use the place. “Are you sure your family will agree?” 

“Oh, yes, definitely, we have been wanting to move for the last while.” Joe spoke up.

“Then it's settled. When will you want to move in? There is a nice place next to the bunkhouse where you can live.” Chad said

“We will be moving in within a week.” Philip said, “That okay?”

“It sure is, I am looking forward to meeting your family!” 

Philip and Joe smiled, they left and went to the bunkhouse. 

 ~~~~~~

“That went well.” Philip said to his brother as they walked over to the bunkhouse. 

“It did!” Joe agreed, “Do you want me to go and fetch the family?”

“That would be great.” Philip smiled at Joe

“Great, I will leave tomorrow.” Joe said. 

They went into the bunkhouse and started to get settled for the night since it was already dusk.