once upon a cowboy

The smoke-filled bar crowded with people as the embers of the end of a cigarette lit up. The out of state regular sat at the bar sipping on a short glass of whiskey as she steadied and readied herself for the days to come. the steady noise of rowdy cowboys and ranch hands thickened the air as they flooded in through the door. on the Rocky Mountains of Montana there weren't many cities and even fewer people which Serena liked that, being raised in a small rodeo family from south Texas. Lucky for her the area she was in mostly had small families or was made up of ranches and cowboys. Which for Serena who traveled around trapping and tanning hides for a hobby it made it easier to also help those families with the pest problems and make quick money on the hides. bars like this one she had tried to make her first stop in cities she frequently visited the only down side to this one bar was the history it held in her memories. "Now Serena it wouldn't be the end of the world if you tried to get along with the people of the town for the short time your here." the man behind the bar stated as she crushed her cigarette out and straighten her back to bring the whiskey glass once again to her lips. "And why should I? We both know I’m here for only one reason and if it was up to me, I wouldn't even be here at all." with a heavy heart she sighed realizing it was a bad idea to come back to the town even if it was to help a good friend with their problematic coyotes and wolves. With a sigh Serena lowers her head in deep thought. It’s been 3 years since she stepped in through those doors and she sorta surprised Victor, even with his attempt to try and get her to socialize. looking up and watching him clean glasses and pour shots for the other guest. “I can’t tell if you got bigger or if you've always been that big in the arms." with a laugh Victor shook his head and set down a beer bottle for someone. "actually, I did get bigger I also got married while you've been gone." showing off the golden band around his finger getting an approval nodded and a laugh from her. "what poor soul fell in love with you men?" with the joke in all fun the two laughed and enjoyed the other's company. " honestly I did miss this place but we both know why I left and never came back." lifting her shoulders in a shrug she down the last of her whiskey and tapped the glass to show she wanted another. "but let’s talk about something different please..." with a pause she looked around and noticed a big group which looked like a hand full of cowboys and a few girls trying to get lucky. "like what’s going on over there?" picking up the fresh glass and using it to point to the group. "Well, it’s the Ellison boys and their friends it’s the oldest boy's birthday." Victor nervously ran his fingers through his short black hair and shoot her a look. "please don’t cause a scene tonight." receiving a shocked look from Serena and that made him feel worse. "oh, Victor I’m hurt, really what makes you think I would ever do that?" a soft chuckle past her lips as she sipped on her glass noticing Victor trying to find words. "spit it out man we don't have all day." she turned only to be greeted by some cowboy. Yet on the pass over she gave him she realized quickly he was no cowboy just a wanna be. closing her eyes and nodding her head back to the bar and moving her sights back to Victor with questions. "the names Brandon mind if I buy a pretty little thing like you a drink?" with this cheesy grin across his face you could see the pride in his eyes. noticing that this man hasn't really been told no by a girl before she decided to have a little fun, so with a smile Serena faced him. "well, aren't you a sweet heart but no thank you this is my last one anyway." showing off the barely touched glass of whiskey. She saw Victor take a deep breath like he didn't even notice he was holding one. Serena was going to give that man a heart attack neither knew how or when but it was going to happen with her poison bratty personality. "oh, come on just one more I’ll make it worth it. we don’t get outsiders as pretty as you around here a lot, so you just passing by or moving in?" Brandon spoke as he leaned against the bar readjusting his greyish cowboy hat. in the neon glow of the bar lights his as eyes glowed and flickered and the face of someone she’s been avoiding flashed through her mind and she was done playing games. "look cowboy. or should I call you something else because we both know you’re not a cowboy." Victor went to speak but was cut off by Serena’s black cat claw nail, as a familiar man who waited behind her wanting to see what happened. "so, let me guess daddies second son so you’re not really in charge with anything on the ranch because you were mommies favorite not his so you run around acting like a cowboy instead of trying to be one." standing up and moving as close to him as possible realizing she was only 5'9" to his even 6'4" it pissed her off even more. the more she was reminded of that man the worst the venom in her words became and she had no problem with any of it. The bar started to quiet down so they could hear what's going on, yet Serena still didn't notice the man behind her how not only showed a smile but his eyes showed longing and pain. "how about we start with those boots, they look like they've never seen the leather of a strap, your jeans aren't faded from the sun and let’s face it everyone knows the only designer you won’t wear are wrangler's, but a pair that cost just as much as the horse you’re riding." Brandon's eyes grow bigger with each word that came out her mouth laced with a poison no man could survive so he looked up to see his brother behind the little woman insulting him. begging for help with a nod his brother stepped in just as she was speaking. "also, big man I’m down here so look at...." she was quickly cut off by a familiar face as she was turned around to face a large brick wall of a man. Now this was a what you call a real cowboy worked every day of the ranch with only blisters on his hands to prove to others the real meaning of work. Serena's rage was now at its peak by this man and his cowboy ways. "what!" she was suddenly silent noticing who stood in front of her. "you!" she tried to take a step back but she bumped into the bar stool losing her balance. "yes, me know it seems this little lady here has said enough don't you think Brandon why don’t you go back to the group and I’ll have a word with her." never breaking eye contact with Serena who was now pointing her poison towards the man in front of her. "besides we need to talk alone anyway." "like I have anything to say to you." with a huff she faced the bar and pulled out another cigarette. just as she went to light it the familiar stranger takes it from between her lips. Hatred building up faster now as she stared him down. "give it back." at this point the whole bar had eyes on the two. "ha it looks like you’re the son daddies so proud of." sarcasm laced with venom leaving her lips as she placed another cigarette between her lips daring him to take this one as well. "Gabriel you sure?" Brandon stated confused. Victor placed a hand on his arm. "give them some space they have a history that you really don't want to get in the middle of." a concern look crossed both their faces as the two nodded and walked away. "Serena, we need to talk about what happened." Gabriel spoke out first to break the silence, watching her movements. his mind was suddenly filled with regret. "Victor I’ll cover her tab we need to go somewhere more private." "Victor don't listen to him ill cover my own tab and I’m staying right here I need another drink." downing the remaining harsh whiskey in the glass she sat back on her stool and faced the bar not paying him any attention. "look here little lady we can do this the easy way or the hard way." Gabriel stated moving closer to her losing his patience with her. Though, it was always like that way when it came to her, she was like a poisoness snake with her venoms tongue and long black hair. all though there was time where that snake was more like a horse in a rodeo with her free and wild nature. with a sigh he removed his worn-out black Stetson. "ha easy? there's nothing easy about you cowboy." Serena used her native Texas drawl to stretch out the nickname she used to call him, knowing it would get to him even more. "unlike your brother over there I bet his nothing but an easy fuck." with a hateful smirk Serena looked at the shelves knowing what she’s about to say was going to hurt the both of them. "maybe I’ll go and f**k him and see if he is or not." turning her head to see his face she instantly knew she was right about the pain. "that's it" with a quick motion Serena was suddenly over his shoulder and he was grabbing her things off the bar. "Victor close her tab she's done for the night." the rough anger in his voice Serena knew she took it to far, but she wasn't concerned with his feelings anymore. Or so she thought. "now you have told we get to my truck to tell me where you’re staying or you’re coming back to what you call daddies ranch with me." not missing a beat he made it through the bar and out the door. "like I’d tell you anything big oaf!" she tried to wiggle her way out of his grip, but he kept a tight hold on her. "put me down now." failing at getting away she tried to think of a way to get away, with no luck she realized she was stuck. "Gabriel put me down." "not tell you’ve given me a chance to explain what happened." He made his way to the truck as he walked around the whole vehicle and proceeding to child lock all the doors before setting her in the back seat. “I guess it's the ranch than since you couldn't tell me." lowering his hat over his eyes to hide the rage and pain flowing behind his chocolate brown eyes she once loved. Gabriel pulled himself into the driver seat. with a deep breath he looked at her through the mirror. "what will it be?" watching her she finally gave in and whispered out the directions. "I’m not staying in a room; Victor help me build a cabin for the season it's finally ready so that's why I’m back in town so early in the season." she looked out the window and then went to move to the passenger seat next to him. He watched her every move like she was a figment of his imagination. "go to the second light and take a right." releasing the breath he forgot he was holding Gabriel started the truck and made his way to the road. Taking to the road in silence for a few minutes. Gabriel finally took his hat off and placed it in the window. It was now that Serena noticed his hair had gotten much longer than she remembered and without realizing what she was doing her fingers were running through it softly. it wasn't telling he turned his head to face her laying his cheek in her hand that she came to her senses. Removing her hand quickly and facing the window. She thought to herself she need a cigarette to distract herself from him so she dug through her bag to look for them. her window rolled down just as she went to light it. "your hairs longer than it was last time." blowing the smoke out the open window she never looked at him with her statement. "Yeah, I started growing it when you left." he paused to think of what to say next. "I don't like the smell of smoke anymore." which is true he used to smoke every day after she left but then he realized that the smell just reminded him of her more than helped forget so he gave it up. with a nod she took a long drag of the cigarette and just focused on the blackness the covered the trees. Gabriel had changed a lot since the last time he saw her and he never knew tell now what he would do if he had the chance to see her again, and now she was in his truck one more time. "its the next dirt road around the bend." she spoke out and then with a sigh she lowered her head. "why didn't you tell me your family owned the largest ranch in the area?" deciding to break the ice after so long. it had been three years and Gabriel was right he deserved a chance to explain and now her need for answers was stronger than ever. "honestly I don't know. I guess it's because I didn't know how you would handle it." thankfully that she's the one that started talking Gabriel noticed that he honestly didn't know why he never told her who his family was and it hurt him to know that. "I guess it was because if you would have knew you would've used it to your advantage. or that if you truly didn't know that you was only with me because of me not them." not thinking of how he worded his statement he could feel her eyes burn his soul. "so what your saying is you couldn't trust the fact that I loved you for you and not the money your family had was what you meant!" her rage back in full swing and now there was no where for them to go. "some balls on you cowboy to talk about trust like that." she all but spit the word trust out. "I know, I know and I’m sorry I would never be enough to show you that I never meant to do it or let it end the way it did." he pleaded with her as the turn came up. "I’d do anything to take it back and I know I can’t but at least hear me out and give me a chance." Serena grabbed her pack only to notice it was to late and the damn thing was empty, yet something told her to check the center console. "what are you doing?" he question her as she opened it to not only find a unopened pack of her cigarettes but also one of his cowboy killers and the first picture taken of them on horses laughing and having fun. she took her pack and the picture out closing the console. yes Gabriel stopped smoking but that never meant he didn't keep a pack on hand and it was simply hopeful wishing that her pack would be smoked by her one day so he kept her's in there as well. the picture on the other hand was just there because he never could take it out no matter what he felt. "old habits die hard don't they?" with a sigh she closed her eyes remembering the day like it was yesterday. "I remember this day victor and his girlfriend joined us for a ride and we made it all the way to the creek before we noticed we forgot the cooler." a soft laughed filled the truck wrecking what little strength Gabriel had. "this driveway here is mine." Serena pointed out in time for him to gain his composer back and make the turn. He wasn't ready for what faced him at the end of the driveway. The small cabin was everything they had planned to build together down to the last nail. every dream and wish the two had made together still lived on in her like it did him and it was clear that neither one had moved on completely. lost in thought he never noticed her putting the picture back and going to open the door. "you coming? you said you wanted to talk. I’m giving you that chance and what happens tonight decides the fate of our future rather it's together or apart." Serena spoke softly and sternly as if to make it a point that he better has a good reason or his back out of her life. he prayed that it would be good enough for her he couldn't lose her again. not like the last time. turning the truck off the two got out of the truck and made their way to the cabin he had wished they were there in the day so he could see it better but if all goes well he'll see it the next morning. Serena struggled with the keys deep in thought not noticing Gabriel had walked close behind and wrapped his strong arms around her like the old days.