God, his head felt terrible. Everything all at once: last night, finally his charges' bodies next to his, the hard stable floor, wondering if he really got rid of the beer bottles. If maybe they were still in the washhouse . . . He should have gone home last night and called in sick today.

"That feels awfully nice," he said, "but I need to get moving." He hated for that to stop. "You, too, Penny."

He sat up, glanced at his watch. Seven. It could be worse. What, two hours sleep? He was lucky to be moving.

He put on a clean pair of jeans and went to the washroom. He did his stuff, splashed water, looked at himself in the mirror, and wished he hadn't. Maybe there was aspirin in the glove compartment of the Dodge. He needed to move the truck back anyway to the parking lot.

They knelt side by side on the blanket when he came back to the stall, heads bowed.

"You two figure out, quietly, if you want to stay here in the stall today or if you want to be part of the circus out there. He put on clean socks, his boots and went to the shelf. No aspirin there. Maybe his kit. He put on his shirt, snapped the cuffs, and rummaged through the box that held everything he ever needed. No aspirin. He tucked in the shirttails, found his keys, turned and looked at Penny and Star. They hadn't moved except to stare at him. He wondered if Spot told them about Sharon.

He left them, got in his green Dodge truck parked by the stable and moved it to the parking lot. He gave the dash an extra pat before leaving and went to the bunkhouse. He needed coffee and maybe Cookie had some aspirin. He wished he knew where he'd left the basket so he could return it. Cookie would understand.

He carried a thermos to the stable along with a bag of danish for him and fruit for his charges. He remembered the four of them in the washhouse last night: Star, Penny, Randi and him. He'd given them each a beer, a big no no, but what the hell. He figured they deserved it.

Ten o'clock the Colonel said. It wasn't until after three and that's because he'd had enough and rounded them up on his own.

He checked on Randi in the stall across from Stormy, Carl's charge. Randi was still asleep. Sam was lucky to have Randi. He went to Star's stall, didn't even check on Misty.

Still kneeling, staring; it was spooky. Star had that look in her eyes and Penny had a little of it too. He wondered what that little pervert Franklin had done to her.

He sat on the bench, poured himself a coffee, took a danish out of the bag and tossed the bag to them. It lay on the floor by Penny's knee. For chrissakes. They were spooking him. "Decide anything?"

They didn't move. Did that mean a no?

"Still thinking about it?" He bit into the danish and began to relax. Ranch hands were arriving, getting ready to prepare for the busy day. "Go on. Eat."

He washed the danish down with coffee, poured another cup. He was going to have to go off somewhere and have a nap. Maybe there was a special room at the Colonel's.

He hoped he didn't run into the Colonel today. Still not moving. "Okay, sweet cakes. Both of you. I'm not up to twenty questions. All right?"

He might as well be talking to a pair of sphinxes. "Want me to decide?"

He swished the coffee around in the plastic thermos cup. He ate a danish and watched them.

Sometimes he was so damned tired. It was like he was in something thick that sapped all his energy. Just keeping his eyes open was an effort.

"How'd it go last night?"

He turned and shook his head. "Sam, it was the craziest thing I ever saw. I didn't get them back to the stable until around five. Randi is going to be pooped. Be easy on her."

"The one with the spots in her mane. Could I borrow her for fifteen minutes?"

"Sure. Be my guest." He rose, set his cup on the shelf. "Come on, Star." He touched her and she rose. Her skin felt warm. Del hoped she didn't eat Sam alive.

"Star's her name?"

Del nodded and winked at him. "Have fun. Take as long as you need."

Sam left with Star who stared over her shoulder at Del. The girls were scaring him. He shut the stall door, latched it and sat on the bench. He hoped the aspirin kicked in soon.

"Penny, I want you to eat something." He glanced at his watch. Later than he thought. Things wouldn't get busy until after eleven. "I mean it." He grabbed his shaving kit and left for the washroom.

He took his time. He talked to Tucker, trying not to listen to Sam and Star in the next stall. Stu's Anna was looking good today. Her mane was braided and body had a nice sheen. It looked like Stu had rouged her nipples.

New shoes. He wanted to get them new shoes. He'd go to the office after nine. He washed the lather off after shaving. He looked almost human.

He dropped his shaving kit in his bag, zipped up the bag and stowed it under the bench. Penny hadn't moved. The paper bag with apple slices hadn't been touched. He was too busy for this.

He took the bridle off the peg. The leather was almost dry. He set the bit in Penny's mouth, adjusted the bridle, and fastened it. Her hair was coming back. Just a soft fuzz. He kind of liked it that way. He rubbed her head, went to the shelf and started to neaten it. "Muck the stall," he said.

He rolled his eyes. He was too busy for this. He turned, pulled Penny up, and pushed her against the wall. "Stay there," he said. He came back with handcuffs, decided not. He'd use rope.

He pulled her to the floor under the bar. "Lie down," he said. He lowered the bar, tied it off on the wall and selected two hanks of rope from his kit.

He tied one of her wrists to an ankle, then the other wrist to the other ankle. He slipped the bar out of the slings that held it, slipped the bar through the roped limbs. He wiped his forehead. It was going to be hot today.

He slipped the slings over the ends of the bar and lifted it. Penny wasn't off the floor but her arms and legs were. She didn't look comfortable at all. He left her and finished his work neatening the shelf. Sam must be enjoying Star. Sam could keep her all day if he wanted.

He rolled up the blanket and stashed it under the bench. He swept up the spoiled straw with a broom and rake, left the stall to get a wheelbarrow.

He had to hunt all over to find the barrow. Someone had left it out by the pile of spoilt straw. One of the hands hauled the muck every few weeks to use on his garden. It takes all kinds but he just couldn't imagine growing something he'd eat in shit.

He stopped for a second at Misty's stall. Misty looked good. Benjamin was brushing her hair, didn't seem like he was much minding the chore. "I was wondering if you'd be interested in taking one of my charges off my hands. For fifteen minutes, longer if you like."

Benjamin thought about it.

"I'm not interested in Misty. I've just had it up to here with charges."

"There's a little pill you can take," Benjamin said.

"Never been a problem. Interested?"

"Not really."

"That's okay. I'm feeling the same today." He pushed the barrow into Star's stall, dropped the handles and began filling it.

He liked this kind of work. It was fulfilling. He felt like he accomplished something. He dumped the straw, stretched. He looked up toward the Colonel's but couldn't really see anything. He brought the wheelbarrow back to the stable, filled it with clean straw and carted it to the stall. Several hands were watching over the door into Sam's stall.

The stalls always smelled nice with fresh straw. He took the barrow out, parked it where it belonged.

He went back to his stall, knelt by Penny. Her eyes followed him.

"Penny," he said. "Interested in eating? No? Well, okay." He stood, lowered the bar, untied her and made her rise. He took longer coils of rope from the kit and led Penny out of the stall. Sam was bringing Star back. "Finished?"

Sam nodded and smiled.

"Everything okay?"

Sam released Star's arm. "Sure."

"Good. Why don't you put her in her stall for me? Tell the hands it is a free for all until I get back." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, until nine thirty. I'm going to get breakfast."

Sam grinned, shoved Star into the stall, and gave a rebel yell.

Del heard a slap from the stall, led Penny out of the stable. That was the most enthusiasm he'd seen Sam show for quite a while.

He led Penny to the shady side of the large maple by the wagon shed. The shed's doors were open and several carts had been pulled out. He pushed Penny against the tree. "Stay there," he said.

Penny's eyes followed him as he pulled her arms around the tree trunk and tied her wrists, then further up, her arms. He wrapped the rope around Penny and the tree at her waist.

It was a sloppy job but he didn't really care. He tied her ankles to a loop on the second coil that went several times around the tree.

A really sloppy job. He left her.

Del relaxed in the bunkhouse with two of Cookie's fantastic fried eggs and toast. More coffee. Cookie's radio played in the background. He shut his eyes and leaned back afterwards. He kept on thinking tomorrow. Tomorrow. He had to get through today first.

He gave up after a while, checked his watch. Nearly ten. He gave his dirty dishes to Cookie, ignored Penny the best he could. He'd forgotten her goddamned tail. He walked slowly to the stable. Just about everyone was out with their charges. All eager to get heatstroke.

The stable was quiet; he went to the stall. Star was on her hands and knees crying quietly. He shut the door, sat on the bench. "Have a good time?"

"More please," she said. Her crying stopped like that.

"That good, hunh?" He crossed his legs.

"Yes." She wiggled her ass. "More please."

If he weren't so tired he'd whip the crap out of her. "So you're enjoying your stay here at the White Horse?"

"Yes," she said.

"Like the Colonel?"

"More please. Please. More."

"He was out in the corral. Should I get him?"

"Yes. More." She turned to look at him. "More please." Star's eyes widened.

"I was hoping to find you here," Sharon said.

He turned. Sharon smiled, her arms folded at the top of the stall door. She pulled the latch, pulled the door to her, stepped inside.

He stood. He wanted to squeeze something, he uncurled his fingers. She looked good in tan. Her riding breeches and blouse looked brand new. Shiny new boots, a conch belt. She looked nice.

Sharon leaned against the door as it shut. She glanced for a moment at Star on the floor, shifted her gaze to him. "I'd like to go on a picnic."

He didn't move. Her blouse looked like if she took a breath all the buttons would pop. Three had popped already. What was it about blondes? Misty. Star here. Sharon here.

"Ron said I could get a lunch and a cart and someone to drive me."

"More please," Star said softly.

He looked down at her. "Kneel," he said.

Star turned and looked at him, slowly rolled her body into a kneeling position.

"Impressive," Sharon said. "I think I want the other one though."

He gave up. "Just a minute, ma'am."

"Miss," Sharon said. She smiled sweetly.

"Miss."

He took Star's bridle down from the wall and set the bit in her mouth. Her face was streaked with red where someone had slapped her. Her eyes burned. He fastened the bridle. He took two red ribbons from his kit and tied them to the bridle, one on each side of the bit. He smudged her cheek with his thumb, got up and pulled down her tail from the wall. "Forward," he said.

She rose off her heels. He pushed the plug in place and got another red ribbon to tie at the base of the tail.

"May I?" Sharon said approaching him. She walked behind Star and him.

He rose, went to the wall and took down Penny's tail, a crop, and three ribbons from the kit. He knelt by Star, looked up at Sharon. "I'll be out in a minute. I have to give her her instructions."

Sharon brushed past him, left the stall door open.

"Star," he said. "If you want to sleep you can. I envy you. Back." He rose, ran his finger down her nose, across her cheek, down her chin and dropped to between her breasts. He touched her nipple, pressed so the soft skin indented, turned and left.

Sharon waited for him in the shade by the big stable doors. She walked at his side as he went to the tree by the wagon shed. When she saw Penny she said, "How creative."

It was impossible to tell by the tone of her voice if she mocked him or not.

He untied Penny, coiled the ropes and led Penny to the wagon shed. He wanted to hit something, let the rope coils slap his leg.

He chose the black two seater, laid the rope and things on the seat. He went in the shed, found the harness he wanted, carried it out.

He tied the ribbons to Penny's bridle, inserted the plug for the tail. The braid looked nice against her piebald skin. He adjusted the belt, set the straps over her shoulders. Penny never looked up once she saw Sharon. He gave a shoulder a squeeze, adjusted the lower straps that passed under her crotch. Once he had the straps set right under her tail so they split evenly to meet the belt, he tied a ribbon at the base.

He drew Penny to the cart and hooked the shafts to the belt. "Good girl," he said.

He dropped the rope coils into the space behind the seat.

"Ready?" Sharon asked.

"After you, miss."

She was graceful climbing into the seat. He joined her, took up the reins and gave a snap.

"We need our lunches. Remember?"

"Yes, miss." He pulled on the reins to make Penny turn. "She's still inexperienced."

"What do horses eat?"

He stopped Penny at the bunkhouse. "Apples, carrots, grain."

"Get her something, too."

"Yes, miss."

"I didn't bring a hat. Pull us into the shade over there." Sharon pointed to the large maple by the wagon shed.

Penny farted.

He snapped the reins, glanced at Sharon. Her eyes were bright, lips partly open. He saw into her blouse, looked away. He parked the cart in the shade. "I'll be back in a moment."

"No hurry," she said.

He wondered if he should take her at her word. She had the crop in her hand, was flicking it into her other palm. She turned to him and smiled as he got out.

She didn't wear perfume, didn't need to. He found his head was finally beginning to clear when he entered the bunkhouse.

He told Cookie what he wanted; Cookie had the baskets ready. There had been a call from the Colonel's earlier. He had Cookie quarter an apple and put a quart of water in a basket. When the basket was opened he saw a bottle of wine and other fancy stuff that didn't get put in ranch hand's baskets.

He carried the two baskets, both heavy, to the cart, set them behind the seats. "Miss," he said. "I'll walk beside until we get up the hill."

"You mean I'll have to drive?"

"Just take the reins. She'll do okay."

Sharon laid the crop on her lap. "I'm not sure about this."

"I'll walk alongside. She's inexperienced, not used to pulling two."

"You're not saying I'm heavy, are you?"

"No, miss."

"You'll have to show me."

"Yes, miss." He sat beside her. He took the reins from her, her hand brushing his, and snapped the reins. "Like that, miss."

Before the path rose, he stopped the cart. "I'd better, miss."

"If you must."

He held the hook on the right side of Penny's belt and walked beside her up the path. Halfway to the top he heard the crunch of tires behind him.

"There you are, Del. And Penny, too. Sharon." The Colonel tipped his cowboy hat to them. "Off on a picnic. Good. Good." He beamed at them, looked over his shoulder down at the stable.

Penny lurched backward.

"Put the brake on, miss." Del stepped to the cart, pulled the brake. "That's the brake, miss."

"You didn't show me, Del."

"I'm sorry, miss." Del turned back toward the Colonel.

"Driving lessons and a picnic." The Colonel smiled. "I'd better get back down there. It's going to be a busy day." The Colonel turned the zip buggy making a large arc around the front of the cart. "Oh, Del." The Colonel stopped the zip buggy. "Where's Star?"

"In her stall, sir."

"Good. Just checking. Thanks, Del. Have a good picnic, dear." The Colonel zoomed downhill.

"He's a wonderful man," Sharon said. "Isn't he, Del?"

"Yes, miss." He joined Penny. "Release the brake when you're ready."

Penny struggled to get the cart moving on the slope. By the time they were at the top of the hill her sides were heaving and her breathing was loud.

"I'll walk a little longer, miss."

"She's not that strong, is she?"

"It's hard work, miss. It takes time to develop the skill and muscle."

"She's not that strong is she, Del?"

"She's okay, miss. In another month she'll be trotting up hills."

"You refuse to answer me." Sharon snapped the reins and Penny walked faster.

"Miss. She's strong."

"Then get in the cart, Del."

"At the house, miss. I want to get Spot so she can join us."

"Am I part of your menagerie?"

"Spot needs the exercise, miss."

"Miss just needs to be said every once in a while, Del."

He nodded.

"Am I part of your menagerie, Del? You have a bad habit of not answering my questions."

"No, miss. You're human. They aren't."

"Do you have a particular affection for beasts? Is here close enough?"

"Perfect."

"I wish you'd look at me when we talk."

He turned to her. She watched him intently, her nostrils flaring as she breathed.

"And I wish you'd answer my question, Del. Do you have a particular affection for beasts?"

"No, ma'am."

"Miss," she snapped. "I'm not sure where that puts me." She picked up the crop. "Get the damn dog if you must."

He tied Spot to the back bar of the cart and climbed in beside Sharon. She handed him the reins, faced ahead. Her cheeks were flushed.

He gave the reins a snap.

"Find somewhere private."