I think about that night we spent together often and wish I would’ve asked her for her number. I’ve thought about her and the chemistry we shared. It’s been impossible to get her out of my system, and it’s not from a lack of trying.
We finish eating, and Knox and Kane decide to ride with Riley. Alex delivers me to Jackson, who’s sweating his ass off with a shovel in his hand.
Alex rolls down the window. “Hey, old man. I brought Gavin back as demanded.”
Jackson gruffs. “Thank you, captain obvious.”
“Thanks for showing me around,” I tell Alex as I get out of the truck.
“Anytime!” Alex says out the open window, then gives me a wave before leaving.
Jackson sets the shovel down and walks over to me, wiping the sweat from his brow. “How was breakfast?”
“Great. Reminds me of my ma’s cookin’,” I admit. “I think I ate ten pancakes.”
“Told ya! Anyway, guess we should get you acquainted with the training area.”
We walk over to the different sections and barns. Among the several corrals is enough room to train several horses at once. Before I got hired, Kiera and Jackson explained their experience and what they were looking for in an employee. For the past few years, they’ve been doing everything on their own with their kids’ help. They want to expand, but without help, that’s not possible.
“Right now, we’re training eight horses. Two will be picked up by the end of the week, and one was delivered about an hour ago. The others are at different stages but only have a few more weeks to go. We’re also getting some new mares on Monday.”
I nod and make a mental note. We walk to the edge of the training area, and Jackson shows me an obstacle course set up for barrel racing. It’s impressive, but it seems everything the Bishops do is.
“The kids usually feed the horses in the morning, and I make them clean out stalls in the afternoons. For the most part, they’re doing different tasks around the ranch. They’re good kids, but damn, they make me feel old.”
I give him a side-grin. “My ma always said to be good growing up, or my payback would be having kids who were worse than me. Guess they’re yours.”
“Damn right they are,” he admits, shaking his head. “Oh, that colt delivered this morning will be your first project. He’s in the stable being fed but thought you could get started with him today. Spunky as hell and has a bad attitude.”
“Just my type.” I chuckle.
“Fireball should be a good start for you,” he tells me, leading me to the barn.
The colt looks like he’s around two and doesn’t pay any attention to us.
“Apparently, he’s a fucker, I mean bucker. Same thing, though.” Jackson leans against the gate.
“Has he had any saddle practice?” I ask, wanting to know the history and what level we’re starting on.
“The owners have done nothing but put a halter on him and led him on rides. He’s an asshole, and they want him broken in enough for their grandkids to ride.”
Fireball starts pawing his hoof on the ground, and I smile. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about work. Jackson shows me the location of all the gear, then he leaves me to myself. Taking my time, I lead Fireball out to the arena, and we get started.
The afternoon passes by quickly, and I work with Fireball until we’re both exhausted. I started slow with leading and saddle practice, and he hated every minute. Repetition is key when training and breaking animals. After we finish working, I rinse him down and put him in the pasture, where he immediately starts rolling.
“You are an asshole,” I yell at him, then walk to the office, remembering I left my truck at the shop this morning. Jackson’s got his feet up on the desk when I enter.
“Can you possibly give me a ride to the shop?” I ask, and he’s more than willing.
We hop in the truck, and on the way over, he asks me how things went this afternoon.
I grin. “Great, but you’re right, he does have an attitude. I think he’ll realize who’s in charge, though, hopefully.”
Jackson chuckles. “He better.”
He pulls up next to my truck, and I thank him before I get out and wave as he drives off. As I’m pulling my keys from my pocket, Riley and Diesel exit the shop. They look like they’ve both had a hell of a day.
“There you are,” Riley says. “We both stupidly forgot to get your number earlier.”
I pull my phone out, and we exchange info.
“Want me to pick you up on the way there?” Riley asks.
“Yeah, that’d be great. Just need to take a shower first.”
Diesel looks down at all the dirt on his clothes. “Good idea.”
“Awesome! I’ll pick you up around eight-ish,” Riley tells me, then turns to Diesel. “You need a ride too?”
“Nah, man, I’m gonna stay until close to hang out with your sister.” He elbows him. Riley lets out a groan. A roar of laughter escapes Diesel, and I can tell he’s getting a kick out of rubbing this in his best friend’s face.
“I’m probably only going to stay for a drink, then go home, if that’s cool with you,” he tells me.
“That’s fine. I gotta be up early for work in the morning anyway.”
“See,” Riley says with a finger to his chest. “Some of us are responsible adults.”
Diesel laughs. “I’m responsible, ask my girlfriend.”
Riley’s ready to punch him in the face but doesn’t. I tell them both goodbye and get in the truck and leave. I replay my day, and I realize I’m tired. By the time I walk up the steps and enter the cabin, I’m more than ready to wash off the sweat of the day.
I’m not used to being here yet, but I’m sure it will eventually feel like home. On the walls are photographs of horses and fences, rolling hills and old tractors. The décor is exactly what one would expect to see on a ranch. I go to my bedroom, grab some clothes, then take a shower.
By the time I’m finished, I still have a few hours before Riley arrives. I could have driven myself, but he’s not staying that long anyway, so it’s not a big deal. My eyes are tired, and I end up falling asleep on the couch until knocks tap on the door. I get up, and Riley’s standing there with a smile. “Ready?”
“Yep,” I tell him, grabbing my keys and walking out with him.
We drive over to the saloon, and Maize comes to mind. She was drinking her worries away, looking so goddamn gorgeous. I’m tempted to ask Riley if he knows her since this is a small town, but I don’t. If we’re meant to see each other again, we will.
“So how’d you end up here, considering you used to ride professionally?” he asks on the way.
“After I won a few championships, I was ready to get out of Houston. Eldorado seemed like the perfect place to settle down and not be in the hustle or bustle of a big city. It's the exact opposite of what I’m used to, and I love training horses.”
“Oh, so you’re from Houston. I didn’t realize people were into riding and stuff there,” he admits.
A lot of people think that, especially if they don’t know the landscape.
“My parents live on the outskirts, not downtown or anything. But yeah, there’s a lot of riding that goes on, and the Houston Rodeo is one of the biggest in Texas. It’s a popular thing to do. When I watched the bull riders there as a kid, I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up. Plus, I’m somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.”