#getting into high gear before yeehawgust

[thesconesyard]

Yeehawgust is coming and my sequel story from last year has been lagging, but here comes motivation (to be done so I can write the third part!) and chapter two!

Where the West Begins

2. Cowboy Casanova

“What are you going to name him?” Christine asked Jaylah.

McCoy rolled his eyes where he was sitting on the porch. Jaylah was petting the little kitten on her knee and teasing him with a piece of string. No one who had gone looking after lunch had found any more sign of the big cat whose footprints Scotty had discovered.

“I’m still thinking,” Jaylah answered Christine. Both laughed as the kitten batted his paws at the string and caught it.

Jim had been fine with the idea of Jaylah keeping the cat when he and Spock had returned.

“Never hurts to have a good barn cat,” he’d said.

“Hmm,” said Jaylah as the kitten turned and meowed at her. “How about Franklin? You look like a little Franklin.”

“Does it need a name?” McCoy asked.

“Of course!” said Jaylah.

“Yes!” Christine agreed.

McCoy couldn’t help but roll his eyes again and look away as Jaylah cooed over her new pet. Keenser came up on the porch then. He took one look at the cat.

“Keep him from the flocks,” was all he said before he entered the house.

McCoy was working in the main yard the next morning when the man appeared. A chill of memory went down his spine as he recalled just a few months before when another man had walked onto their ranch. That man, Khan- who had called himself John Harrison- was waiting for trial in a jail cell.

“Good morning!” The man called as he saw McCoy.

“Hello,” McCoy said back cautiously.

“Is this the Enterprise Ranch?”

McCoy looked at the man. He had to be about Jim’s age, with dark hair combed neatly and a face that had seen much sun. An accent lilted his question to McCoy, and he frowned slightly, trying to place it.

“It is,” he answered slowly. “How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for James T. Kirk; does he live here?”

“Yes.”

The man’s face broke into a broad grin and he let out an exclamation McCoy didn’t understand.

“Pardon my manners! My name is Kevin Riley,” the man gave a brief bow.

“Leonard McCoy.”

“I knew Jim long ago,” Riley continued. “I’m traveling west and heard he was here.”

“Well if you walked out from town, come in and have a drink,” McCoy said, his caution dropping. “I can go find Jim for you after.”

“Thank you kindly,” Riley smiled. “I am a wee bit parched.”

“Where are you from, if I may ask? I can’t place your accent.” McCoy gave him an apologetic look as he led him to the front porch.

Riley grinned. “A descendant of the kings of old Éire I be! Ireland is where I was born,” Riley clarified at the slight frown on McCoy’s face.

“Perhaps you’ll get on with Monty then. He’s from Scotland,” said McCoy. “Have a seat.” He gestured to the porch chairs. “I’ll have one of the girls get you something to drink and find Jim.” McCoy nodded at the man, then disappeared into the house.

McCoy found Jim with Spock and Chekov in one of the work sheds.

“Hey Bones!” Jim greeted him. “Come to help finally?”

McCoy frowned down at the project the men were working on.

“No. There’s a man here to see you.”

“He give a name?” Jim asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Kevin Riley.”

“Kevin Riley?! Well hot dang!” Jim hurried from the shed with twinkling eyes.

McCoy shrugged at the questioning look Spock gave him, then left the shed to return to his own work.

Kevin Riley proved to be a lively, kind person when everyone gathered for lunch. Jim introduced him around and he sat near Jim at the top of the table.

After lunch Jim hitched up the wagon and went back into town. He had insisted that before Riley continued west he had to stay on the ranch a few days. Therefore Jim would go with him to collect his things and bring them back out.

“He seems a good fella,” Sulu said as the men and Jaylah got back to work.

“Maybe,” Chekov muttered.

McCoy glanced and Scotty who shrugged.

“What do ye suppose got into the wee lad?” Scotty asked McCoy as they settled down for the evening.

“Chekov? Dunno.” McCoy thought back over the evening. Jim and Riley had returned and after dinner everyone had gathered around the porch to enjoy the cooling air after the heat of the day.

The pair had regaled them all with stories of their younger years and Riley had fit in quite nicely. He was kind and polite and paid the ladies many compliments throughout the evening.

At breakfast, McCoy figured it out. Keenser didn’t often come in for breakfast with everyone; after getting the stoves lit for the ladies, he’d head out with his flocks. Riley chose Keenser’s open seat and talked at length with Jaylah across from him.

McCoy saw then the way the corner of Chekov’s mouth twitched. McCoy smothered a grin and ate quietly.

He caught Scotty after breakfast and bumped his shoulder with his. Scotty looked over questioningly.

“It’s Jaylah,” he said quietly and nodded towards Chekov.

Scotty frowned for a moment, then his puzzlement cleared as he watched Jaylah lead Riley away to show him the ranch.

“Well,” was all he said with a chuckle.