This Hick?

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

CASSIDY

I leaned against the stall door, watching as Dr. Shole bent down to lift one of Rouge’s hooves. The old mare gave me a tired, weary look, her eyes duller than they should’ve been. I could feel her unease, her muscles tense as the vet moved from one leg to the other.

“Easy, girl,” I murmured. “This is for your own good.”

Her ears flicked toward me. I swore I saw a flash of understanding in her gaze, as if she knew I was looking out for her. Rouge had always been like that—intuitive. She didn’t trust just anyone, but she trusted me, and I’d earned that over years of patience and bonding.

Ginny hopped up onto one of the gate railings, balancing herself easily with her boots hooked over the bars. At five-foot-nothing, the step-up put her at eye level with me. “You’ve always had such a way with her,” she said, her voice soft as she watched Rouge. “It’s like you two share the same soul.”

I gave a small grunt in response, keeping my eyes on Rouge. Ginny wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t about to say it out loud. “I just understand her,” I said simply, reaching out to brush a hand over Rouge’s mane.

“And she understands you,” Ginny added. She leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing mine in a friendly, familiar way. “Which, let’s be honest, is an impressive feat, considering you’ve always been an enigma around here.” She smirked, giving me a playful nudge. “Speaking of enigmas, I hear Don has you running around with the princess. How’s that going?”

I shot her a sidelong glance. “Karen?” I shook my head, rubbing the back of my neck. “She’s giving me gray hairs already. Let’s just say I prefer being out here with the horses.”

Ginny burst out laughing. “And here I thought you boys would be excited to have someone pretty around to look at. Because she is. Pretty, I mean.”

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. “You’re pretty, Ginny. And fishing for compliments isn’t your style. Don’t tell me you’re jealous that there’s another girl here who might turn heads?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she waved me off. “Don’t be silly. I’m not jealous.”

“Uh huh.”

She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at me. It was easy between us, the kind of teasing that came from knowing someone for years. Ginny was like a little sister to me. She was spunky, full of energy, and always ready to call me out when she thought I was being an idiot.

“She’s not as bad as Kenny said she was,” Ginny said. “She seemed nice enough. I just don’t think she’s the kind of person that likes to get her hands dirty.”

I nodded. “You have to get a little dirty out here. That’s just how it goes when you’re closer to nature. It takes grit and I’m not sure she’s got it.”

Ginny shrugged, her eyes following Dr. Shole as he continued to check Rouge. “Maybe she just needs someone to show her the ropes. Everyone’s green till they get a little dirt under their nails or hay in their hair. Or step in some horse shit.”

“That might be.” Rouge nudged my shoulder with her nose, seeking reassurance. I patted her gently. “But it’s like teaching a bird to swim. Not all take to it. And I’m not sure I care if she does. She’s Don’s niece, so I’ll do what he asks, but I’m not planning on her being here more than a few days.”

“Kenny says a week,” Ginny said.

“Exactly. The princess is not going to last. That I’m willing to bet money on.”

“It might be nice to have another woman around here,” Ginny said. “You guys stink and do stupid stuff all the time. I need a good female influence.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think you should make any plans for her to take you under her wing.”

“I ain’t asking her to be my big sister but I wouldn’t mind a friend who pees sitting down.” She shrugged.

“I think Bodie sits when he pees,” I said, grinning. “He likes to scroll on his phone.”

She laughed. “That’s not what I meant, but good to know.”

I leaned back against the stall door again, folding my arms. “Ran into Earl in town this morning,” I said, the weight of the encounter still lingering in the back of my mind. “He heard about Rouge.”

Ginny’s playful demeanor shifted instantly. Her smile faded into a frown. “How the hell did Earl find out about Rouge? Does he have cameras out here or something?”

“That’s what I’m wondering. Everyone around here’s usually pretty tight-lipped.”

Dr. Shole, who had been quietly examining Rouge, straightened up at that moment. “I might’ve let it slip,” he said, grimacing a little. “I was on the Baker farm last week. The family goat has high blood pressure. Anyway, the subject of Rocking Horse came up. I mentioned Rouge was having some issues, and Bill Baker must have told Earl. I didn’t mean to share your personal business. My apologies. The goat doesn’t like the arm cuff. She was fighting me and I spoke without thinking.”

I waved him off, feeling a flicker of frustration but knowing the doc hadn’t meant any harm. The guy didn’t have a malicious bone in his body. “No hard feelings, Doc.”

He nodded and went back to examining Rouge.

It wasn’t like Earl didn’t have his ways of finding things out. He always had his ear to the ground, waiting for his chance to jump on anything that could make him a buck or two.

“Earl’s been sticking his nose in our business for years,” I said. “He’s always looking for any excuse to deem us unfit for operations so he can shut us down and build that damn casino. He’s been putting pressure on us, and a few other farms in the area, for years.”

Ginny crossed her arms. She looked worried. “One day, one of them might fold. But it won’t be us. Over my dead body.”

“Mine first,” I added with a nod.

Dr. Shole finished his exam, wiping his hands on a rag as he stood. “As far as I can tell, she’s in good health. She’s just old, Cassidy. Slowing down, maybe a little depressed. There’s nothing wrong physically, just… age. It happens to all of us.”

I sighed, stepping into the stall with Rouge. I’d known it in my gut already but hearing it out loud made it real. She was getting older, just like all of us, but her timeline was moving a lot faster than ours. I rubbed my hand over her muzzle, feeling the warmth of her breath against my skin. “Hey, girl,” I murmured softly.

She dipped her head, pressing it gently against my shoulder. That was her way of showing affection, her way of telling me she trusted me. I leaned into her, rubbing her neck with slow, comforting strokes. Rouge wasn’t just a horse to me—she was family, as much a part of Rocking Horse Ranch as Don or Ginny.

“Friends make everything better, don’t they, old girl?” Ginny said from the other side of the stall, her voice soft with affection. She smiled as she watched us. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet of the barn and the steady sound of Rouge’s breathing.

I glanced at Ginny, then back at Rouge. “She has to be nicer to her friends. I don’t think I want to put one of the young mares in with her. Bessie has been her companion for a long time.”

Dr. Shole packed up his things, giving Rouge one last pat on the side. “She’ll be fine, Cassidy. Just take it easy with her. I’m sure once spring is here, she’ll perk up. It’s the winter doldrums. She’s longing for some green pastures.”

“Aren’t we all,” I said with a laugh.

“Keep putting that salve on her leg. I’m sure it helps with the soreness. As always, make sure there’s nothing in her pasture that might trip her up. I know I don’t have to say it, but if this girl takes a spill?—”

“I know,” I said.

If she broke her leg, there would be no recovery at her age. “We keep a close eye on her pasture.”

“That’s all you can do,” he said.

I nodded, my hand still resting on Rouge’s neck. “Thanks, Doc.”

He said his goodbyes and headed out to see a pig with the sniffles.

Ginny hopped down from the railing and walked over to me, her hands on her hips. “So, what’s next? You on princess-sitting duty some more?”

I smirked, shaking my head. “I’ve got enough on my plate without chasing her around. But Don wants me to help her settle in, so I guess that’s my job now.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Lucky you. She doesn’t seem too keen on being here, does she?”

“Nope. She’s out of her element, that’s for sure.”

“You should take her for a ride,” Ginny said.

“Yeah, I’m sure that would go over like a lead balloon.”

She laughed. “I bet if you asked her real nice, she’d go. Just bat those stupid eyelashes at her. No woman can resist a handsome cowboy.”

“I think you’re confused, Ginny. I have no desire to spend time with her. I’m not trying to convince her to do anything.”

“You can admit it.”

“Admit what?” I asked.

“She’s pretty. And she’s clearly got some fire in her. I know you, and that’s exactly your type.”

I snorted, brushing off the teasing with a shake of my head. “Fire or not, she’s a pain in the neck, Ginny. And the last thing we need around here is more trouble.”

“Sometimes trouble can be fun.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Suit yourself,” she said. “I’m off to work.”

“Later.”

I watched her go, shaking my head with a smile. Ginny was right—Karen definitely wasn’t cut out for ranch life. She was like a fish out of water, all polished and city-slick, trying to fit into a world that probably felt as foreign to her as the moon.

But yes, there was something about her that kept my thoughts on her. Like a burr under a saddle, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, even though I wanted to shake her loose. Maybe it was the fact that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if she was clearly out of her comfort zone. She didn’t like the ranch but she loved her uncle. That much was clear. That was reason enough to cut her a little slack.

I stayed with Rouge for a while longer, brushing her and just giving her a little TLC. She nudged me with her nose, a soft, gentle push that told me she appreciated the company. I smiled, scratching behind her ears. “You’re gonna be alright, old lady,” I murmured.

Eventually, I left the barn and went in search of Kenny. We had to load hay and muck stalls. The excitement of working on a ranch.

Kenny was in the back field, struggling with the old John Deere that had seen better days. The tractor sputtered and coughed out black smoke as I approached, the scent of oil and earth mixing in the cool air.

“Need a hand?” I called out to him over the noise.

“Not a hand, a dang miracle.” Kenny turned, wiping his brow with a red bandana. “This thing’s more stubborn than a mule on a hot day.” He grumbled and hopped out of the cab before kicking at one of the massive tires.

I climbed aboard, taking a seat. “Let’s give it another go,” I said, reaching for the ignition.

I wiggled the key, turned the wheel a quarter inch to the right, and put my foot on the gas just barely pushing the pedal. I turned the key and a second later the engine roared to life.

Kenny let out a low whistle. “I guess you’re good with more than just horses.”

“Just know how to treat her right,” I replied with a grin, patting the dashboard as if it were an old friend like Rouge.

He shrugged. “If you say so.”

We drove over to the hay barn and loaded up the tractor’s scoop with bales to distribute in the various paddocks for the horses. The air was crisp and cold, but the snow had stopped falling and was replaced with a clear sky and a bright sun. That made it bearable. Despite the cold, it was one of those mornings that felt good to be alive and working outside.

For a moment, I almost forgot about the annoying woman who had just walked into my peaceful life.

Almost.