Luck

The sound gravel popping under the truck and trailer coming down the driveway..

Anne's Jack Russel, Russ, barking out on the front porch..

7:30 and Jesse had already been up since 5:00 preparing for the job at hand..

Anne was still asleep when he checked on her before heading out.

He let Russ in the house and walked back out to the barn.

"Mornin' Steve, looks like it may be clearing up a little."

They shook hands and went into the office.

"How is Anne doing?"

"She is sleeping. Eric says she'll be fine, I'll tell ya, it scared the heck out of me."

"I bet it did."

Jesse poured them both a cup of coffee.

They talked about beef prices, horses, and the weather..

When they finished their coffee, Steve unloaded the big Bay gelding from the trailer.

He had won many calf roping events at local rodeos on the old horse.

At 57 years old, Steve still looks like he could play Free Safety in the NFL.

He had been an All American at Texas and played 11 years in the pros for the Bills.
Never missed a game.

A soft spoken guy, as humble as they come, also as tough as they come.

Jesse had never met anyone who knew horses as well as Steve.
He has a way with them you can't teach.

They had become good friends over the years.

Every spring Jesse joined up with Steve on his ranch to help brand and vaccinate calves.

It was as close to the old ways as one could get.

Jesse had saddled Cisco earlier,
He brought him out to the trailer.

The plan was for Steve to slowly push the bull up the driveway which is fenced on both sides.. 

Jesse would be waiting where the driveway ends at Hwy 30 to hold traffic if there was any,

He would also turn the bull toward Hasting's entrance 50 yards up on the left.

They would then encourage him across Hasting's cattle guard.

Jesse had already put some plywood across the guard earlier.
He had also repaired the area the bull had escaped from in the first place.

The trick would be to get the bull to walk across the plywood.

It would require patience and luck.

wkm
Nashville