Oliver
I pulled my Stetson on as I stepped outside of the Ranch house. The iron gray skies overhead promised more snow, and a deeper chill carried on the wind.
I found Lucas inside the largest corral, his broad back toward me. He held the rope's neatly looped excess and wound his right arm to work the kinky twists out of a lasso. Lucas flipped the rope around in the air, before adding another coil to his growing collection.
I slowed as I approached. Lucas seemed intent upon being alone. I didn't want to intrude.
Then again, how many times have I been in a bad mood and thought I just wanted to be left alone…until Lucas forced his way in and cheered me up? What's good for the goose is good for the gander, so to speak.
“Hey, Lucas. What's up?"
Lucas turned his head just enough to look a
