Sapphic Cowboi by K'Anne Meinel Page A

ask Perry and we will see what we
can do. I’ve got to go attend to a million things, my brother and
father will be around to introduce themselves.”
    Maggie was a bit overwhelmed in the
unfamiliar surroundings but her babies came first so she went to
get them settled putting them in the paddock as Perry held open the
gate. She took the halters off them and gave each a slap on the
rump as she freed them into the paddock. They ran off a few steps
and turned to watch as she released another horse and then another
until all of them except for Sampson were in the overgrown paddock.
She quickly stripped her saddle and gear from his back and took off
his halter as well before walking with him to the gate and
releasing him.
    “ Where do you want this?”
the old man who had driven the cart asked her.
    Maggie looked at Perry who shrugged and she
glanced around noticing an overhang that would be out of the rain
should it come again and pointed. In no time at all the three of
them had the cart unloaded and the hay and grain stored. Maggie
kept looking at her herd to make sure they were settling in okay
and saw them exploring the unfamiliar place and nibbling at the
overgrown grass. They were watching her too as well as the activity
and unfamiliar noises going on all around them.
    “ Would you like a tour?”
Perry offered after they were finished and the cart and man
gone.
    “ I suppose so” Maggie said
feeling a little intimidated. There were so many people here, more
than her town she had grown up in and all so very busy.
    “ Ah, don’t be like that, we
are just one big family” he assured her.
    He was right, everyone while peculiar to look
at, some in very fancy costumes, very unusual poses as they
practiced for tonight’s shows, were welcoming. Many made overtures
of friendship immediately. They had heard about her and while not
the only new act in the show they were curious about her and
willing to help her out to get comfortable.
    “ You come see me honey if
you want makeup on that pretty face of yours for the show” one
offered.
    “ I saw your horses and wow
they are a beautiful bunch” another complimented her.
    Compliments about her horses she could
handle, the ones about herself made her a little uncomfortable. The
people were honest and open and few had personalities she wouldn’t
like. Most had come across as family members and she relaxed in
that way towards them even if she could never remember all their
names.
    “ See honey, we are just one
wild and wooly family” Perry assured her as he introduced her to
his fellow clowns some of whom were already in makeup. Some were
midgets such as himself, some were fat, some were skinny, and they
all made her feel welcome.
    She laughed as they teased her and found out
that they did much more than make people laugh; many of them were
hard workers behind the scenes or roustabouts and set up many of
the side shows that people flocked to.
    It was as she was returning to her paddock
and tent that a man came running up “Are you Maggie O’Malley?” he
asked breathlessly.
    “ Yes?” she asked
alarmed.
    “ I’m Carlton Bigelow and I
need you to come with me now!” he told her importantly.
    She was surprised but she nodded and found
herself following him. Feathers had got up at seeing her
approaching the paddock where he lay in the shade but she signaled
him to stay where he was.
    He led her to an important looking tent and
following him in she found Cecil inside with a much older man that
could only be their father.
    “ Hello Maggie” Cecil said to
her warmly holding out his hand to shake “have you settled in okay,
are the horses okay?”
    “ I’m settling in, Perry
showed me around” she didn’t mention the horses because she hadn’t
had a chance to go back and see them.
    “ Do you think you might be
up to showing them off tonight?” Cecil asked worriedly.
    “ Wow, you don’t wait around
do you?” she asked surprised.
    “ Well our elephants are