Chapter 20
twenty
Killian
Someone taps me on my left shoulder and I turn, but no one is there. Then I feel it on the right, and when I turn, I’m floored at who’s standing before me.
It’s my best friend. “Nathaniel? What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask as I clasp his hand and pull him in for a hug. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”
He laughs. “I know, and yet here I am.”
I shake my head, completely shocked. “What…why?”
“Dude, you’ve been here for over a month. I was worried that someone kidnapped you and was holding you hostage.”
“No,” I sigh heavily. “Just doing what I can to save this place.”
Nathaniel smiles and clasps my shoulder.
“Wow, this is something,” he says as he looks around the setup as the rodeo is in full swing.
The grandstands are packed with people from the area, lines are long for food, and the entire arena is buzzing.
“I honestly never knew rodeos were such a thing. There isn’t anything like this where I grew up or ever lived. ”
I clear my throat. “We really wanted it to be something everyone in the town would remember.”
And by we, I mean Tessa.
She’s worked tirelessly. Every detail has been planned and then executed to perfection, despite any obstacles.
This morning I found her sitting in a corner telling herself some affirmations and stating how she was going to put all the good vibes out.
An hour later, we found out that there was an issue with one of the trucks that was bringing the animals in, and I watched her flip a switch and go into crisis-management mode.
I’ve never been more grateful for her innate attention to detail because she quickly made a few calls and the issue was solved.
“I don’t think anyone will forget this, Killian. Good idea.”
“It was Tessa’s,” I tell him.
“Oh! The girl you told me about, our publicist, right?”
Yeah, I didn’t tell him everything, and I don’t plan to. “Yes, she’s from Anchor Light.”
“Good, I’m glad that’s working out and we hired them for things like this.
They’ve been working on some PR with me as well.
We’re donating and doing some charity things.
I didn’t want to bother you with it while you’ve had your hands full,” he explains and then looks down at the bull rider who is in the chute with one hand raised. “Is that…safe?”
“Probably not, but it’s also why I’m not in there.”
He laughs once. “Holy shit, they’re just going to open the door?”
“Yup.”
The bull rider nods a few times and then is released, his body swaying with the bucking bull as he works to get him off, but the rider holds on…until he doesn’t.
“Damn, well, that was entertaining.” Nathaniel says with a chuckle. “So, you’re good here? You look good.”
I’m only good because of the woman who came here to help. “I am.”
“Here I thought I was going to come down here and save the day.”
Of course he did. I roll my eyes and chuckle. “You’re the one who usually fucks things up.”
“This is true, but…”
Tessa comes over, a huge smile on her face. “Hey, Killian.” She looks to Nathaniel beside me, and her eyes widen in recognition. “Are you Nathaniel? I saw your photo in the office.”
I chuckle softly. “Tessa, meet my business partner and longtime friend, Nathaniel.”
He extends his hand. “Tessa, nice to meet you. I’ve heard all good things.”
She returns the gesture and dips her head a little. “Thank-you, but it’s been all Killian. I’m just here to help. I hate to interrupt…”
“No, no, please don’t let me hold you up. I’m going to watch this for a bit and then take off. I was in the area for a meeting and saw the ranch wasn’t too far, thought I’d pop in and see if I could help, but it seems he’s in good hands.”
Leave it to Nathaniel to lay it on thick. I sigh heavily. “Yeah, yeah. Find me before you take off.”
“Of course. Do you mind if I head into the house to change?”
“My house is your house,” I say.
He smiles again, bows slightly to Tessa. “A pleasure, Tessa.”
“It was all mine,” she says with her hand on her chest.
Nathaniel melts into the crowd, and I turn to her. “I had no idea he was coming.”
“It’s nice he did, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, he’s been worried about me.”
“I think we all need good people in our lives. My college roommate is still my best friend. Those friendships stand the test of time.” She sighs and then continues, “I came over because there’s a buyer asking for you, said he knows you. He’s standing over to my right—don’t look!”
She scolds me when I glance over.
“Sorry.”
“His name is Drake, so if you don’t remember him—lie. I’ve strategically placed people to help with any situation. I suggest taking him out to the barn if he doesn’t ask.”
“You really thought of everything.”
Her eyes brighten. “Of course I did. That’s my job. Now, you go do yours.”
So far today I’ve met with a few buyers that were repeat buyers.
Pete came by first thing to apologize for pulling out of the sale.
We talked a bit but I got pulled away. It’s been interesting putting faces to some of the names I’ve been staring at for weeks as we tried to uncover what happened with Travis.
Tessa and I walk over, and Drake perks up.
I instantly remember him so I don’t have to fake anything.
He bought quite a few horses from me and we discussed using one of my mares with his stud.
We shake hands, exchange pleasantries, and Tessa excuses herself to deal with some kind of cattle emergency.
“Would you like to see the barn?” I ask as Drake mentions the horses that are available.
“I’d love to. You know, this rodeo idea was a great idea,” he says with a chuckle. “Gave us all a chance to see for ourselves, huh?”
I could deny it, but Drake is one of those guys who just likes utter honesty. “That was also the goal. Although, not the entire reason. I hoped other horse buyers and breeders in the area would see the truth that I have never and would never harm or do anything to my horses.”
He claps me on the back. “I didn’t believe it, but the rumors seemed pretty damning.”
“I understand.” We walk toward two of the horses he had looked at in the auction, and Everett is standing just to the side—as though I conjured him.
I didn’t. This is all part of Tessa’s plan.
“Killian,” Everett says and then turns to Drake. “Good to see you.”
“Dr. Finnegan, I didn’t realize you were here,” Drake says with a hint of confusion.
“I’m here all the time to check on the horses.”
“I see,” Drake says slowly. “You’re the vet for Ivy Thorn?”
Everett laughs as though it’s funny to even ask. “Of course I am, Drake. I’m in Ember Falls and Killian knows I take care of all the animals here as if they were my own.”
“Yes, it’s why you’re also my vet.”
Everett nods. “I’m glad you agree. Anyway, I came down because I wanted to make sure all the excitement wasn’t causing stress, but everyone is doing great. It was the right move to keep them in this barn as opposed to closer where the noise could’ve spooked any of them.”
Another reason why Tessa is a fucking genius.
“We always put the animal first,” I say.
“Dr. Finnegan,” Drake cuts in. “What do you think of the rumors?”
Everett looks to me and then back to Drake. “They’re complete bullshit.”
Drake laughs. “How do you know that?”
“Because I’m here all the time. I check on them, do blood work. I also know Killian and I knew Travis—no one was doping these horses. If it was happening, it was after the sale and not on this property,” Everett says with such finality, it’s honestly more than I could’ve hoped for.
He’s a good friend. A bit of an asshole, but he’s the guy you want beside you in a fight. He’s not going to back down, and he’s not afraid to throw a punch.
Drake is quiet, looking over at the black thoroughbred in the stall. “So you think Travis’s disappearance is…what?”
“I have no idea, and I really don’t care. As soon as Killian learned he left, he called me, and we did everything to make sure the animals were okay.”
“I see,” Drake says. “So, you’d buy a horse from him?”
I wait, knowing that Everett would never screw me, but still, a part of me hesitates.
“In a heartbeat. In fact, if I were a racehorse guy, this is the one I’d bet on,” he points to the horse in front of us.
“Why is that?”
Everett goes over the physical attributes as well as the spirit he’s seen. He details where his strengths are and then how he thinks with the right trainer, his weaknesses could be worked out.
Drake and I discuss more about the horse, and before I know it, he makes an offer.
For way more than I expected.
“You’ve got a deal,” I say, extending my hand. “We’ll send the paperwork to you tomorrow.”
Drake shakes my hand. “I’m going to make a lot of money with this horse.”
“I think you will too.”
And he’s right. This was one of my top options. Everything Everett said is right. He’s got a great build and he really loves to run.
Drake leaves a few minutes later, stating he’d like to see some of the bull riding still on the program, and I stay back with Everett.
Once he’s gone, I exhale for what feels like the first time in weeks.
“I can’t believe that,” I say, leaning against the stall door. “Do you want a job as a salesman?”
Everett snorts. “You can’t afford me.”
“Probably not,” I agree.
Right now, I can’t afford much, but with the last few sales—and the bachelorette parties—this place might just be okay.
Might.
Of course the cost of the rodeo cuts into a lot of these profits, but we’re selling horses again. If we can sell more after and get some people to board with us, then…it’ll have all been worth it.
“How has the rodeo gone so far?” he asks.
I push off the door and jerk my head toward where it’s still going on. “Good. It should be done pretty soon.”
“I’m glad. You seem to be smiling, which is something you haven’t done much lately, other than when you’re with Tessa.”
Of course he’s going to bring her up. He’s like a dog with a bone.
“I smile plenty.”
“Sure you do. So, how many horses did you sell today?”
“Three.”