The U.S. Marshal Badge: Book Three of the Parsons Family Trilogy

Chapter 1

Austin and Holly enjoyed their honeymoon even though it had lasted only three days – well, if you want to count the day of travel, it was four days.

The six foot, six inch figure of Stretch, who looked like the Marlboro Man, was at the Waco Airport to collect the newlyweds and get them back to the ranch; a welcome home party was planned and all the hands were anxious to greet the boss and his new wife. Stretch, with his height advantage, saw them easily and noted the flower leis around their necks. Both looked extremely happy. Holly was radiant; her black hair had a glossy look and, as they got closer, he noted that her black eyes had a sparkle to them.

Stretch led them over to where Austin’s dad and stepmother were waiting. Sam and Edith had returned from Hawaii only four days earlier but wanted to be at the airport to greet them. They had enjoyed their week in Hawaii and on the six hour plane ride home talked mostly about the wedding. Edith thought it was the most romantic wedding she’d ever witnessed – including both of hers. It was not just the chanting, the dancers and the drums; it was much more – especially for all Holly’s relatives who were witnessing the family legend of the Ranger Badge, now over a century and a half old, being fulfilled. She had felt the high emotions that radiated from these new relatives of her husband – a room full of Neiki cousins. She had never met so many warm and genuinely friendly people; the Parsons family had been expanded by a couple hundred Hawaiians – a wonderful addition.

After the greetings and hugs, Austin and Stretch went off to pick up the luggage and the others went out to wait by the Durango parked at the curb – the Texas Ranger sticker on the windshield allowed them that privilege.

Once the suitcases and a dozen boxes were loaded, they headed for the ranch. Austin had only been away from home for a little over a week, but he still got a warm feeling as they passed under the arch and through the large gates. He remembered when his dad and granddad welded the arch and installed the two large gates. He was twelve and was allowed to manufacture the date, 1828, which was suspended under the PARSONS RANCH arch. Once through the gate, they drove between enormous oak and pecan trees which lined the long, paved road leading up the gentle slope of a rolling hill – one typical of the topography of East Texas. And at the ridge, the home he had been born in came into view. It was a large, two-story brick house that was, by design, invisible from the highway.

Visitors were always impressed with the size of the house when they saw it from the top of the rise. Walking through the front entrance, which consisted of two five by ten foot oak doors, one could see that the exterior walls were made of brick and were a foot thick; the roof was Spanish tile and you could tell by the changes in color of the roof tiles and bricks that the house was built over several years – generations actually. On both the right and left side of the main building, there were long, single story buildings running perpendicular to the main building. Seen from the air, the house and the two wings would have looked like the letter ‘U’ with the closed end being the main house. Tall oaks and pecans surrounded the house and provide needed shade in the summer and a windbreak in the winter.

The first section of the right wing was a large apartment where Maria, the cook, and Anita, her sister and housekeeper, live. Next to that was a large laundry room with plenty of washers and dryers – it had the appearance of a Laundromat. All the wives on the ranch gathered on Mondays to do the washing, ironing and generally have a gab session. The rest of that wing was a four-car garage. As for the wing across the way, there was a workout room, a walk-in freezer and the last two were the wood and metal/blacksmith shop.

Big three-vane windmills beyond the trees were electrical generators to provide electricity. All buildings on the ranch including the three stables, the four barns and bunkhouses used by the hired hands were serviced by either solar panels or windmills. The power company had run cables to the ranch years before but Austin, after studying alternative sources of power in high school, convinced his granddad that they should change over to solar and wind power. As the technology improved, the entire ranch became electrically self-sufficient; solar panels were installed on the roofs and, where needed, wind generators were added.

During the drive from the airport, the new couple was brought up to date as to the events of the last two weeks. The veterinarian had thoroughly examined all the pregnant mares in the breeding program – Juan, the horse foreman, had fourteen quarter horses ready for the opening of Holly’s riding academy. Walt had the academy’s computer program already set up so that students, ranch horses and boarded horses could be tracked and fees and billings could be handled. Gabrielle Kerpinski, the new Polish trainer, was working the six warmbloods that had been given to Austin by Arthur Williamson in gratitude for the service Austin had performed for his family. And finally all the surveillance devices had been installed. Oh, and the love affair between Gabrielle and Walt was in full swing as he had moved into her duplex in the Village.

As Stretch drove up to the front door, Maria came out to welcome the newlyweds. She had accompanied Austin when he left for Hawaii. She and her brother, Juan, had been born on the ranch and thus had grown up with Austin. She hugged Austin and Holly and announced they were just in time for barbecue, which, in Texas, means you’ll get beef, chicken and whatever else had been slaughtered that week.

They walked through the great room and out onto the patio where all the vaqueros and their wives had gathered. Austin thought how he’d enjoyed the time in Hawaii, but it was great to be home. It was a beautiful setting, especially with the pool lighting the background.

After all the congratulations were over, Stretch announced, Ya’ll bring your plates over here before the meat gets overcooked. Everyone filled their plates and sat down at a long table which was already loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables from the Village.

The Village was the name given to a group of houses and duplexes provided for the permanent employees. It was surrounded by an orchard and extensive vegetable gardens. There were also pens for rabbits, chickens, and geese as well as a nearby pasture for a small herd of sheep and another for the hogs. All things considered, the people on the Parsons’ ranch ate pretty well. And this barbeque was no exception. It was a close-knit group – almost family. Of the four vaquero families Juan had been born on the ranch and Fernando, Antonio and Jose had all been working there for over twelve years.

Vaqueros had always been employed on the ranch because they were experienced in handling horses and cows. They seemed to be born to it. When the Spanish had tried to settle in North America, they had brought cattle and horses that were tended by vaqueros which were also brought from Spain. From 1513, when Ponce de Leon first saw the coast of Florida and tried to establish a colony on the western coast, the Spanish explored what is today the United States. Explorers such as Hernando de Soto and Francisco de Coronado made extensive explorations into the land north of the Gulf of Mexico. They finally settled in what is Mexico and began to spread northward. The Spanish continued to bring in cattle and horses and along with the animals came their herdsmen – the vaqueros.

Cowboys didn’t come into being until the end of our civil war when the returning Texans had nothing except an excess of cattle which had to be driven north to a railroad which would then take the steaks-on-the-hoofs to eastern markets.

When everyone had their fill of food and wine, the men excused themselves from the table and gathered in groups to talk and joke. Sam, Austin, Stretch and Walt lit cigars and Austin asked, So, Walt how’s your love life?

Walt almost choked on the smoke he’d just taken in and, red-faced, he sputtered, Oh, just fine. Thanks for asking. They all had a good laugh since they all knew he and Gabrielle spent a lot of time in her quarters.

How are you doing with the computer program for the Academy? asked Austin.

I’ve got some refining to do but it’s basically ready. I want to work with Evalena tomorrow and take her through it. She has computer savvy and catches on fast.

Walter Bentley had most recently run the computer system for the Sonoma County Multiple Listing Service in California. He and Austin had been roommates at Texas A&M, and he was a genius when it came to computers – and, it seems, Polish horse trainers. He was just short of six feet and had a slight, wiry build.

Holly had moved on over to where the vaqueros’ wives were talking, Well, ladies, in less than a week, we open for business. Edith joined the group and, looking at Evalena, asked, Did we have many inquires?

My God, yes. These last four days the phone was constantly ringing. There is a lot of interest in barrel racing, jumping and cutting. And there are a few who just want to learn to ride.

Holly asked, What about boarding.

Evalena responded, Yes, boarding too. So you’ll have to decide what the various fees will be.

Holly and Edith hugged each other. Holly’s plan to have a riding academy had worked. At Austin’s urging, she had involved the wives of the four vaqueros into helping her. The wives from the beginning felt they had been elevated in status as they would now have paying jobs.

When Maria walked over to the group with after-dinner mints, Holly asked, Maria, doesn’t your cousin, Serena, graduate this year?

Yes, at the end of the month and she’s looking forward to working for you.

Serena, announced Holly to the group has won a lot of barrel racing and cutting competitions so she’ll be a great help.

Then she motioned to Gabrielle to come closer. Gabby, how are those magnificent Polish horses you brought to us? I hope that by now they have adjusted to their new environment.

Surprised and pleased to be included with the other women, she at first turned pink but quickly recovered. Mrs. Parsons, the horses feed well. Only need exercise. Could I be showed the ranch tomorrow to know where to work them?

Please call me Holly and I’ll show you the ranch in the morning at about 9:00. If you haven’t seen the house yet, come and let me show you now.

There were two sliding door entrances from the patio, one directly into the kitchen and the other in between the kitchen and library/piano area. They entered through the latter, and Gabrielle said, Such a beautiful piano and is good for such large room. You play?

No, wish I could. It’s Austin who plays. In the evening, he’ll prop up the lid and fill this great room with such beautiful music. He sometimes brings tears to my eyes.

Ah, such love. You very lucky woman.

Gabby, everyday I thank God for that man.

Holly went on and pointed out the features of the room. The great room served as living room, family room, library, dining room and kitchen. There were no walls, but the room was skillfully broken up with furniture. The room had a cathedral ceiling carrying out the two-story look on the outside. The left wing of the building was divided into two large master bedroom suites with big bathrooms and walk-in closets. Up the ornate staircase to the second floor, there were six smaller bedrooms separated by bathrooms.

After the quick tour, they joined the rest of the women. Juan found it impossible to get into the conversation the women were having so he wandered over to where Austin, his father, Walt and Stretch were still enjoying the evening and their after supper cigars.

Austin greeted Juan with a smile and said, Before we get into the horse business, I’ve been noticing that horny Walt here has been fidgeting and exchanging glances with Gabby. Since we won’t be getting our next project for a few days, looking at Walt with a large grin, if you have something personal you have to do – well, go for it.

Walt’s smile was from ear to ear; he turned, went over and tapped Gabby on the shoulder and they walked quickly over to her quad and headed for the Village – and a night of bliss. Gabrielle had accompanied the six warmbloods that came from the Krupp breeding farm in Poland. She was about 5’3’’ in her riding boots, was blond and, of course, had blue eyes. Her build was slight and she weighed about 110 pounds. Walt seemed to be more than satisfied with the package he was about to unwrap.

It’s a good thing we have these cigars, said Austin, "or we’d have been overcome by that testosterone cloud over Walt’s head. OK, tomorrow I want to get an accurate count of our horse herd, noting the number of mares and stallions – including the colts, fillies and even the mustangs.

On the long flight from Hawaii while Holly slept, I had time to think. I’d encouraged the Academy because it was something Holly wanted and I thought it would make all our wives feel they were really making contributions. But I also realized that we were also creating a market for good horse – our horses. In the past, we’ve been content to sell our stock to Billy Joe who would then sell them to rodeo cowboys. Now we’ll have customers clamoring for barrel racers, jumpers, ropers and cutters. We have to get busy breaking and training the best horses that show they have a propensity for one competition or another. So, looking at Stretch, I want you and Juan to decide if we’re going to have to hire some hands to help. If we do, call Billy Joe. He may know of some young studs that won’t feel the aches and pains so much – at least not as much as you and the other old vaqueros. Juan just grinned because he knew Austin was joking – after all, they were almost the same age.

Juan looked a lot like the actor Gilbert Roland – so much so that Juan sported a mustache and a leather wrist support to complete the picture.

Billy Joe Ward lived on a ranch almost directly across the road and every year he held two rodeos just prior to the beginning of the season. It was a good time for cowboys and want-to-be’s to get in the saddle and practice their skills. Billy Joe had been a good neighbor for over thirty years. His face was heavily wrinkled by age and the sun. He was just under six feet and walked with a limp; he been thrown by too many horses over the years.

Sam, who had been listening to his son with admiration and approval said, Great idea! And I suggest we start using a freeze brand placed prominently on the right flank; the brand being white will be easier to read. We might as well use it on the cattle that aren’t being sold for steaks. (A freeze brand iron is put in liquid nitrogen rather than hot coals. The result is that the hairs will either not grow back or if they do, they will be white or colorless.)

Sam was in his late sixties and had turned the ranch over to his son awhile back so that he and Edith could be free to travel and enjoy life. He was all of six feet and 195 pounds; recently, since he didn’t have to do the hard work anymore, his side view suggested he’d have to start watching his diet.

Austin winked at his dad, put an arm around his shoulders and said, Gentlemen, let’s join the women and have a little brandy.

Now Austin’s facial features resembled his dad but he was at least two inches taller and weighed 220 without an once of fat. Long years of stacking bales of hay and alfalfa along with his daily workouts had made him solid. His narrow waist accentuated his broad shoulders. After seven years of boxing, there wasn’t a mark on his face – needless to say he was agile as well as coordinated.

After another thirty minutes, Sam and Edith said goodnight and that seemed to be the cue for everyone else. Edith had been widowed four years before. Her first husband had been a successful real estate developer and left her very well off. She claimed to be five feet, five and a quarter inches – that extra quarter of an inch was always given emphasis. Tonight she wore jeans and a long sleeve blouse. Her hair was in the usual bun.

Walking through the sliding door, Holly said, "Ko’u Lei (my beloved), while you lock up, I’ll put our clothes away and wait for you in the shower."

With pleasure, Love, I’ll also check our messages.

He entered their bedroom as she was putting their luggage by the door. Any interesting messages?

Coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her, he said, I’m supposed to call Richard about our next project. (Richard Allen was a sort of brother-in-law and the junior Texas Senator. Austin’s father had married Widow Edith who had a daughter, Mary. Richard had married Mary – so that makes him a sorta brother-in-law. So, go figure.)

Austin was still holding her from behind and he leaned forward and began kissing her neck and gently stroked her breasts. Holly slowly rolled her head from side to side to offer more neck, and he continued kissing her neck. He knew she really liked her neck and throat to be nuzzled. Now his hands worked up under her blouse and unsnapped the front clasp of her bra; he continued to caress her ample breasts and hard nipples as she threw her chest out to meet his eager hands. He whispered, Let’s get that shower out of the way and get to bed, Mrs. Parsons.

With that, she turned to him, "Ko’u Lei, do you realize that’s the first time someone called me that? I like it! They began undressing each other, kissing and fondling at every opportunity that presented itself – which was purposely often. In the shower, they soaped each other, concentrating on the pleasure areas. They kissed and caressed so much that both of them exploded about the same time – both times – and then Holly managed two more. Needless to say, after the long plane ride and the excitingly exhausting shower, when they finally got in bed, they embraced, kissed deeply and fell asleep – still embraced.

Chapter 2

Holly awoke about 6:00 and after sprucing up a bit, put on her robe and went out to the kitchen. Anita, Maria’s sister and Austin’s housekeeper, was just finishing breakfast and she turned to give Holly a big smile along with a greeting. Maria was at the stove and said, Morning, I’m about ready to put the bacon on so I’ll buzz for Austin. He had installed the buzzer system so that Maria wouldn’t have to go out to the weight room to call him for meals. Ever since his senior year of high school, he had been faithful to an hour workout every day – half of the time with weights and half with the speed and heavy bags.

He came through the front door, A quick shower and I’ll be there – five minutes, and then he was in the bedroom. Holly poured herself a cup of steaming coffee and sat at the kitchen table to await her lord and master.

Austin ran across the great room and checked his watch, Damn, six minutes. He leaned over Holly and whispered, Good morning, Ko’u Aloha (my love)."

Holly smiled because she really liked it when he used the little Hawaiian he had learned. You’re not going to need the services of Walt today, are you?

No, Love, if I see him before you do, I’ll send him to find you.

Good because Evalena feels she needs a little more help. I’m going to ask Walt to write a detailed manual for the system. The way he and Gabby are getting on, I don’t know how long they’ll be around.

"Go ahead and have him write the manual because it will be weeks before I’ll need him. But don’t worry about their longevity here. She’s committed to training the warmbloods and seeing the mares through foaling. I also know she’s a want-to-be artist. I’ll suggest to Walt that he take her to town and show her some of the art dealer studios and let her know that Waco has its cultural side.

The day after tomorrow is the big day. We’ve all got our two-ways so if you need any help just ask. The Arabian will be tied by the patio. He hugged her, whispered in her ear, and then said aloud that he would see her at noon. As he was leaving, she said, "Ko’u Aloha, I’ll take that as a promise." He turned and gave her a smile that started her blood to heat. Maria watched the interplay and smiled; the heat they generated had to raise the temperature in the room.

Austin was checking the saddle cinch when Stretch rode over to him. Mornin’, Austin, I talked to Billy Joe last night, and he recommend a couple of men who travel around selling their services to ranchers who have horses that need to be broken. I called them this morning, and they’ll be here day after tomorrow. I also hired some cowhands to manage the cattle since the vaqueros will be tied up with the horses.

Thanks, Stretch, for thinking about the cattle. There’s a lot of work those men can do since we should check the herd cow-by-cow, give them their inoculations and run them through the dipper. The outer fences also need some maintenance.

Already got that down, boss, and also thought the fences along the entrance road need repainting. I’ve got my list – they’ll earn their money.

Good. Let’s head for the horses. The horses were segregated into different pastures. Those under two years were in one, mares under sixteen hands in another and the taller ones in another. (A hand is the unit of measure equal to four inches and indicates the height of a horse at its withers, the high point on the back.) There were also two smaller breeding pastures which held twenty mares each, also segregated by size and each along with a stallion; one was fifteen hands and the other was sixteen and one-half. Austin’s plan was to try to produce foals similar in size to the mares. The smaller horses were better for competitions similar to barrel racing, and the larger horses would be good for general use as well as jumping and cutting.

The vaqueros were waiting for them at the breeding pastures. They smiled and touched their right hand to the brim of their hats as greeting of respect. Dismounting, Austin said, "Buenos dais, mi amigos, I’m sure Juan has already told you that I want to start breaking the rest of the horses. Now, Jose, you’ve been taking care of the horses pastured near the big house. You’re responsible for the Morgans and the quarters that we started breeding earlier this year. I looked over your ledger last night, and it seems like the fifteen-hand quarter stallion was a good choice for the mares seem to be in foal. This Arab here has also performed well as has the other Arabian, and the six Morgans are also in foal. Now, if Gabby needs your help now and then, give her a hand but your main responsibility will be the horses I just mentioned. Gabby should be able to take care of the four warmbloods by herself. Make sure all the breeders get plenty of exercise."

Looking at the other three vaqueros, he went on, While we want all the horses broken, let’s concentrate on the forty mares in these two pastures. Some may already be used to a saddle, looking at Juan, how many would you say.

Ah, Patron, maybe a total of fifteen.

Fine, that’s a start, looking at Stretch, how many men did you manage to round up?

I only managed to locate the two that were recommended and they’ll be here day after tomorrow. Might as well set them to breakin’ the rest of the horses.

Good idea, continued Austin, but all of us have to watch the new men. Not everyone is as careful as we are, and if there is the slightest abuse, don’t wait for me to kick their asses off the ranch. You’ve all been here long enough to know I’ll back you. Don’t let them wear spurs or use whips – oh hell, you know this already. Just watch them a few days until we’re satisfied that they know what we expect. Stretch will give them the lecture when they arrive.

Juan interjected with a grin, OK, Patron, we’ll take care of it – no problemo.

Stretch added, These men will be assigned to the bunkhouse yonder, pointing to the building about fifty yards beyond the pastures, and be instructed to stay clear of the village and the big house. And in addition, we are hiring another six or eight to start on the cattle, and they’ll bunk in the same place.

As far as workouts, continued Austin, "since we are trying to get into the rodeo type competitions, I want our horses to not only be in top condition, but I want them used to running flat out. Use the half mile oval at the Academy and incorporate the jumps we installed on alternate sides of the track. Get the animals used to moving to the right and left for a jump. Run them clockwise and counterclockwise. Finally, we have that almost mile long straightaway at the back of the ranch – use it and let them run. Juan can work out a schedule – figure on a