The Wrangler

She really didn’t understand why he told her no.

The sun glared into her eyes. Most unfortunately, she had lost her hat about a half mile back, when the wind twister of dust and cactus debris blew into her path nearly sweeping her off her feet.

This day was hot and dry. Just like every other June day. Her lips were already cracking, even though it was only 9 in the morning.

The crickets were stirring up her thoughts, invading her silence.

"Why did he tell her no?" she wondered to herself.

She trudged on, finally descending into the valley. Unaware of the clouds starting to build behind her.

She needed to get into town before the store closed. It was Saturday, if she missed it she would have to wait to get her supplies until Tuesday, when they opened again. Climbing over the boulders, she followed the trail, making sure to step carefully around the prickly pear cactus pads that stuck out into the path.  

She stopped to look out across the open desert of sand, where the growing city met the Rio Grande River.

 She smiled. Exhaling deeply, she began the last leg of her journey.

A raven cawed and flew overhead, causing her to look up sharply, noticing the white puffs of cumulus clouds emerging. She looked back quickly to the raven but it was a mere speck in the distance. 

As she emerged out of the sage brush, the trail came to an abrupt stop. Here she turned left onto a narrow road, following it directly to the center to the town. She loved being in town. The public greens park grew wildly with pink ornamental roses on one side, Lilacs, and the river flowing briskly on the other. Momentarily taking away all her worry of why he had told her no.

By now the sun was high in the sky, the clouds were moving in but not yet blocking the bright rays from pounding onto her fair skin. She was from the northeast, why she had migrated here, to the southwest, she still didn’t quite understand. Perhaps, it was because she wanted to full-fill her parents wishes, or maybe it was because he was here.

Suddenly, the store was right in front of her.  She had reached her destination without even noticing. For a moment she hesitated, then decided to go into Maria’s Hottie Tamale's diner. 

Located next door to the store, Maria’s would be a nice break from the elements.

Stepping inside, the cool breeze hit her body and all of a sudden her reality became livable again.

A woman from behind the counter greeted her with a soft toothy smile. As she waved hello, the door opened behind her and a group of wranglers walked in.  Taking off their hats, sweat dripped down their faces, reminding everyone inside, how hot it was, outside.

She smiled briefly at one of them as he sauntered up next to her and put his hat on the counter. He gave her a sideways glance with a hint of a smile. As he sat down the waitress came up to take their order. 

Two cokes in and a couple of green chili tacos later, she had her answer. He couldn’t handle her! This cowboy from Colorado, down here wrangling cows for the summer, had more gumption then he ever did! Maybe that's what she needed, laughing to herself.

A cowboy.

As the clock ticked on, thunderhead clouds moved in. Suddenly, she became acutely aware that she still had to walk home, and it was about be pouring rain. Her anxiety spiked for moment, causing her to lose focus and spill her water glass.

As the ice hit the floor, all eyes turned to her. The wrangler laughed and touched her arm lightly. Letting her know it was okay. She smiled and let out a robust laugh, blushing only slightly. 

As the waitress cleaned up the mess, the wrangler paid for lunch, and she went outside.

The clouds brought cool air. Respite that was badly needed. 

As she waited for her friend, she breathed a sigh of relief. It scared her when he had said no, looking in her eyes with a straight face . It made her feel like she would never be loved for who she was. As if she wasn’t good enough for him. 

The thunder boomed above her. 

 Suddenly her new friend was beside her. His boots stomping the ground, jarring her back into the moment. He held out his hand, browned with sun, dirt and grime. He held a piece of paper. She took it quickly and smiled at him. He smiled back and nodded, a quick tilt of his hat and he was walking away.

The wind picked up, blowing dust into the air.

Realizing it was time to go, she shook her head, and took off down the street. The store had closed by now, but she was on such an adrenaline high from this spontaneous chance meeting with this cowboy she didn’t even care. 

As she left town, she could see the large stone boulders littering the canyon, welcoming her. The trail wound itself deep into the canyon and out to the prairie. The wind was blowing harder now and the clouds were forming, large and dark. She saw lightning in the distance and knew home was getting hit hard. "Better safe than sorry." she thought, and decided to wait it out. She found a small overhang amongst the large boulders that would provide her sufficient protection. And, just in time too. Lightning shocked the sky with its brightness as the thunder clapped. The rain pounded the sides of the stone, splattering it against her skin giving her goosebumps. She laughed out-loud, as the excitement echoed off the stone walls. 

After several minutes of rain, she started to hear the meadowlarks sing. So she poked her head out from underneath the rock, and looked around the corner. She saw the sun shining on the sand, glittering dew hanging off the Cholla branches. It was so beautiful it made her tear up. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with all this wonderful, sudden excitement. She stepped out on to the path again, looking up into the sky. A rainbow was forming. The end of it was exactly where she was headed, home. 

The sun was behind her now, in the west. Casting a shadow ahead of her.