By ten thirty in the morning the chores were done and people milled everywhere, Ned was more than a little surprised that so many had come. Normally there was 8 to 10 people but it felt like every cattle rancher in the province had made an appearance. Brett was pleased that so many had come to celebrate his uncle's retirement but he hoped that the event would not break the budget too much and that there were some sales. He was hoping to make some purchases and arrangements for breeding but he was finding it hard to keep everyone straight.
Addie had a steady stream of women coming in and out of the house and protecting banquet tables of food. He watched a familiar black pick up come in the driveway and smiled when it came straight toward the crowd, honking when people didn't take the hint. Maisey drove through the parting crowd of cowboys to park her truck next to the pavilion, Lucas followed in her wake pulling a trailer full of barrels. Brett didn't understand what he was seeing but trusted his friends. It didn't take long for people to start accepting platters of food from the back end of Maisey's truck, Lucas unhitched the trailer and set blocks so it was secure. With a nod to Maisey he and Anna joined the crowd of people, shaking hands and greeting friends.
"She's got something for you at the truck," Anna told Brett, "Said there was no way in hell she was attempting a crowd this size, not even for you."
Brett grinned but was pulled away by Ned to meet the Cattleman's Association President. "Well, Brett, you have a small start up, but with the land Ned's left fallow and the situation you find yourself in I hope you consider expanding. It would be a shame to see another generation pass with prime grazing land unused."
"Thank you sir," Brett shook his hand, "I have a lot to learn and a crew I need to train up before we can consider expansion, but I'd say that would be a good ten year goal." The President clapped him on the shoulder and turned to greet someone he knew. Brett had other places he wanted to be just then and Ned gave him direction with a jerk of his head.
"I wasn't expecting to see you at all the rest of this weekend," Brett leaned on the open window frame of the black Dodge. Maisey smiled, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," she admitted, "I expected to be a whole lot worse but I suppose hiding in my truck is a good way to help keep that at bay." Brett smiled, "I thought since this has become a retirement party for your uncle that you should have a gift for him." She pushed the door open and slid out before moving to the backdoor. "I'm told that he kept going back and looking at this every time he goes into town," she lifted a blanket off a beautiful painting of a landscape that looked very much like it was made by someone sitting on the back porch of the Bogs. The sun was rising in brilliant white yellow with streaks of orange, there were no outbuildings, just fields and forest.
Brett grinned and hugged her around the waist, "You could not have picked a better gift! Aunt Lizzy painted that before they were married, before they were even courting. Back then the main house was over by that fence I met you at and he built a house here after seeing this painting." He touched the frame, "I never heard why they sold it but he never bought it back. I think going to see it reminds him of her."
Maisey smiled, she was trapped between Brett and the truck but she didn't feel trapped like she did in a crowd or with a door closed. She enjoyed feeling the strength of him and the heat of him; she closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of him: dust, horse, leather and Old Spice, taking strength from him for what would come next. "I thought we could give it to him today, before everyone starts in on lunch."
"Of course," Brett said, "That's a great idea." He stepped up on Lucas' truck and let out an ear piercing whistle: and waited for silence to fall. "First I'd like to say thank you to everyone who is here right now, and for those who came out last night and aren't back yet. This cattle sale happens to fall on a very special time for the Bogs. Most of you know my Uncle Ned," Ned raised a hand in greeting from where he stood, "in fact most of you are here because of my Uncle Ned. As you've heard, Ned has decided to retire." He chuckled at the boo's he heard from further back in the crowd, "I agree. When I came to live with my aunt and uncle as a young child they could have turned me away, but they didn't Uncle Ned and Aunt Lizzy taught me everything I know about being a man, and a rancher and while I do hope that I can make him proud and continue the Frank's family tradition, today my good friend Maisey and I would like to pay our respects to this amazing man. A man who taught me kindness and strength, who taught me to look out for those who needed help, to work hard, play hard and keep learning and who gave me a chance to be better."
He helped Maisey up beside him when she motioned to, "I would like," tears glimmered in her eyes, "to also say thank you: most of you don't know me at all, I've only been here at the Bogs for a few months, but if it hadn't been for Ned and the type of person he taught Brett to be I might not even be here at all. But they took me in and treated me like family," her voice wasn't loud but it was clear that even the people in the back were listening. "And so Ned, as you move on to this next part of your life," Lucas had come over to help with the painting once Maisey stood up next to Brett, "We wanted you to have a piece of the Bogs with you." Lucas passed the painting up to Brett who unveiled it. "Now when I picked out this piece," her voice broke as tears shimmered in Ned's eyes, "I was not aware of the history behind it, I loved it because it made me feel like I was standing on that back porch looking out on this beautiful piece of property. It turns out that's exactly what this painting is. Painted by Ned's wife before they met and married." Brett put his hand on the small of her back, "Ned we're going to miss you so much, but we are both so grateful for the future you have given each of us: Brett for his upbringing and me for my life." She smiled and couldn't say anything more as happy tears fell down her cheeks.
Lucas lifted her down as Brett took the attention back, "I ask you all to lift your hats in respect and salute to this amazing man. Ned you are my hero." Maisey looked over Lucas's shoulder to see hats in the air. "Thank you. Now, I understand the ladies in this town have been up most of the night preparing for my failure to realize just how respected my uncle was in the cattle community, they have brought out a feast for lunch so please help yourself and take a look around at the animals, we've brought them all in to the barns and pens for you to review."
Ned was there when Brett came off the tailgate, "I couldn't have asked for you to become a better man, Brett," the older man cried and hugged his nephew. Maisey joined them and hugged him crying as well. "My dear Maisey, you would have loved Lizzy and she would have loved you. Now don't go thinking all men are like that prick that hurt you and don't go missing out on positive things in your life just because I'm not here to point them out." He kissed her cheek, "thank you for bringing Lizzy's painting back, I don't know why I never did it but I'm glad to have a part of her and a part of you both with me in that place." Ned touched one of the barrels and snatched his hand back, "Why on earth are these barrels so cold?"
Lucas grinned, having stowed the painting away for them, "Because someone had the brilliant thought that cowboys might want cold beer, so these are barrels of ice and beer." He pulled a cold, frosty bottle from the top of the closest barrel and handed it to Ned, "Happy retirement Ned!"