Mouse stuck to me like glue. Ever had a monkey on your back? I had a Mouse at my side every moment throughout the rest of the day.

Reunion with Michelle? That was a hug and a peck on the cheek with Mouse snuggling up tightly next to me.

My assistant/little sister Sonya? She was too busy being a good assistant and didn’t even have time to talk to me. I got a quick hug and that was it.

Matilda? I got a scornful look and then was made to rub her tummy where I thought there might be a small bump.

But through it all, Mouse was glued to me. She was my shadow or, more often, was leading me somewhere. What a fool I was to think that I was in charge of my own life.

There were still Mary and Banshee to deal with. Why did I come back?

I found Timmons first. He was with his family, but I pulled him away. We had to sort this mess and fast. We had four boat crews that needed handling before we had an issue, the guys needed to know the plan so they could be settled and happy. Fabiola showed her worth at that moment. The boatmen were all to sleep in the new boatsman’s lodge house tonight, after the cargo was unloaded. It would be tight because she hadn’t expected four boats when they built the lodge. But it would work.

Michelle and Sonya showed their mettle by announcing that working parties had already been set up to transport the goods to town and to stand guard tonight. The newcomers were already being organized to start the walk up to the village. Timmons and I simply looked at each other and shrugged.

I mounted, with Mouse still attached. Brin and his bitches led us as we started to make our way back up the bluff to home. At the top of the bluff, I turned to look back and the sheer number of people shocked me. With all the kids counted, we numbered more than a hundred. What the hell had I done here?

Heck, my cattle now numbered almost two hundred head, in total. 40-odd of them were dairy cattle in varying stages of production. There was a woman-girl plastered to my back and making her intentions delightfully yet distressingly clear. She still seemed too young for me; I’m not a cradle robber.

I also had to deal with Banshee and Mary, those two were the jokers in the deck and I seriously didn’t want any part of either of them. Regardless of how attractive they might be, nothing good would come of that sort of encounter. Actually, I just wanted a shower so I kicked my mount up to a canter and headed home. I had a shower there waiting; I also had bourbon and, hopefully, some fresh sweet corn.

At the corral I grabbed my saddle bags headed for my camper, I told Mouse to put up the mule and meet me later. Yes, it was rude, but I wanted a shower and clean clothes and I wanted a chance to think. I had forgotten how much easier it was to be away from all of these women problems. I briefly considered saddling Lunch and heading off to finish my deal with Henry Leavenworth. Being on the trail alone again would be a hell of a lot easier than dealing with this.

I stormed into my trailer, cranked the music loud, and climbed into the shower. I had left my clothing and gear all over the floor and I ran the water hot; I simply wanted to cleanse myself completely. Thoughts of the recent journey and all that I had done, raced through my head while the music thundered in my ears. I had to let myself purge this frustration-based energy. Homecoming was actually more stressful for me than I had realized. The beginning of this entire endeavor was an attempt to flee people and responsibility and now I found myself with more of both than ever. I was also worried that I was truly falling in love again.

Oh wait! And a kid on the way that I couldn’t even explain. It was my kid and I’d do it properly like a good dad, but I didn’t feel like I was even allowed a say in the matter so far. What if I’m not allowed a say in how that child is raised? I did feel used in this circumstance. There wasn’t ever a single instance between Matilda and myself where it was a pre-conceived agreement that we were sleeping together that night. Or to be accurate ‘Fucking.’ Possibly we were just breeding, but I wasn’t advised or consulted.

The hot water continued to pour over my body and the music pounded as my thoughts raged. This was supposed to have been a fun day for everyone, but for me there was frustration, doubt and fear. So many things were happening beyond my control in my personal life, Mouse was simply another example. I wasn’t choosing between all these wonderful women, instead I was Mouse’s designated mate and if I didn’t accept that, there would be an emotional firestorm.

Mind you, I did think that I was falling in love with Ms. Cuupirikpahaa. But, damn it, I really wanted to have a say in the path of events.

The song ended and it was time to get out and face my reality.

A new reality it was. Also, one full of surprises.

I really should have listened more carefully.

Cuupirikpahaa was there to dry me off when I came out of the shower. She was still as beautiful and delightful as ever. She was there in simply a short shift that displayed those amazing legs and with those eyes that stole my breath.

All of my dirty gear was gone from the floor and at my desk/table there was a fresh beer and a measure of bourbon. If this girl was trying to win, she was doing a great job of it.

I sat down to have a cigarette and a bit of drink while I considered my world.

My newly changed world.

A beautiful girl hanging all over me.

A woman named Michelle whispering to me during a greeting hug.

Whispering, “I think I’m pregnant.”