Chapter 14
Carter
E ight months ago I was at loose ends, ready for a new adventure. I thought it would be owning the horse of my dreams and learning to care for and ride her. And it was. I was making slow and steady progress in that area and I had faith that before too long, I would be more than competent.
But it had turned into so much more than that.
There was always something to do on Blue Creek Ranch, and what had started out as me just trying to get to know my horse and bond with her had morphed into a whole other thing.
Everyone here was just so kind, and when I’d shown my willingness to roll up my sleeves and work, they were happy to use me. And I liked it.
I’d thought all the hard work would be just something I had to do once I brought Ramona home.
Necessity of her care and all that. But it turned out that I enjoyed the hell out of manual labor, at least for these people and in this capacity.
I was no longer sore as hell at the end of the day, my Luccheses were good and broken in, and I was learning more about horses, breeding, and ranch life than I ever thought possible.
Every day I woke with a spring in my step and a drive to get to work.
That hadn’t happened in years. I thought back, ruminating as I drove out to the ranch for the eighth day in a row, trying to remember exactly when that had stopped.
In the beginning years of Omicron, I’d had the same drive.
But sometime in the past ten years or so, I’d lost it.
I’d gone to work and done my job to the best of my capabilities, but I’d dreaded it.
The thought gave me pause, because honestly, I hadn’t even realized I’d been unhappy until right this moment, comparing the feelings.
A call came through, interrupting my musings, and I glanced at the touch screen in my Jeep. Marielle. I tapped the screen.
“When are you and your amazing wife coming for a visit?” I said in greeting.
Marielle made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a stifled laugh. “Good morning, Mr. Cahill.”
“Mariellllle,” I whined, hamming it up, and this time she did laugh. It was short, but sweet, and I grinned in response.
“Good morning, Carter,” she corrected, just a touch of amusement in her voice. “And that’s partially the reason for my call. I have several items that need your attention, and I thought, if you’re amenable, it would be a good time for some in person working days.”
“Yes, absolutely.” I was making friends at Blue Creek and I’d become a regular at Kira’s Kafe, a cute little diner in Russell Crossing.
But I was desperate for my own people and honestly, that was just Marielle.
Yes, she was my assistant, but we had a good relationship.
“Do you want to stay with me? I seriously have plenty of room and a guest room at the other side of the house from mine. But if you’re not comfortable with that, book a room at a local B&B or something. ”
I wanted her and Elisa to stay with me, because again, I would love the company. But I could understand if staying in her boss’s house would be weird for her. Marielle made a humming noise.
“I expect staying with you would be alright. As long as you don’t expect me to be working all the time.” There was the sass I loved from her. I did a fist pump then put my hand back on the wheel. “Let me check with Elisa first though.”
“Of course.” I tried to keep the grin out of my words, but it was hard.
I was excited she was coming. I wanted to show her everything I loved about this little town.
And the ranch. I’d have to ask Hawk if it was okay if I brought them by.
Not only to see Ramona, because really Marielle needed to meet her, but so that she and her wife could find joy in it too.
I had a sneaking suspicion Marielle would not be as charmed as I was, but it was important she was involved.
“When are you coming?” I asked, redirecting my thoughts.
“Elisa has plenty of vacation time, and her supervisor is urging her to take it before year’s end.
Frankly, I’ve been doing the same. She’s confident whenever she puts in will be approved, and since some of the agenda items are time sensitive, I’m planning for the end of next week.
” I heard her clicking for a second, and then she continued.
“The tenth works for arrival. Would you like me to stay for one week or two?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Two. We can spread out working days so you have plenty of time off to play with your wife. There’s a lot of fun shops in Briarwood and Russell Crossing. Plus, you could take some time away and go to Denver or Colorado Springs, if you want. I’ll pay for your stay elsewhere.”
There was a heavy beat of silence. When Marielle spoke, her voice was soft, “Carter, you are a very generous employer. My salary is far above the going rate and I do enjoy working for you. But you don’t have to bribe—”
“Nope! It’s not a bribe at all.” I took a breath and slowed as I reached Russell Crossing town limits. I’d heard the sheriff liked to stake out this section of road to catch motorists who didn’t heed the speed limit change. “It’s a working vacation. I’m dragging you out here. It’s only right.”
“Elisa and I can pay for hotels should we decide to venture out of town,” she said with a note of finality.
I wanted to argue but I thought better of it. I’d just give her an insane year-end bonus instead. Marielle handled everything for me except her own payroll. Exactly for this reason.
“Fine,” I acquiesced, making sure my exasperation was in my tone. “But the rental car is on me. Get yourself something comfortable, all right?”
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “I’ll work out the details and send them through to you. I’ve also sent you the charity proposal you requested. I found a local to you—” a hint of sass bled through in her tone “—equine rescue. I’ve vetted them thoroughly and they do excellent work.”
“The name?” I asked.
“Charlie’s Chance. In the brief, I included their website. Make sure to check it out.”
“I will,” I agreed, making a mental note of the name. Chances were Hawk or one of the other Harringtons had heard of it, so I could ask them about it. Not that I didn’t trust Marielle. She was incredibly thorough. “I’ll read it this evening, after I get back.”
She made a noise, almost as if she wanted to ask where I was going, but thought better of it. Instead, she cleared her throat. “Very good. Let me know if you need anything else.’
“Yep. Make the arrangements for your travel today, okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
I snorted at her playful tone. “Talk to you later.”
“Goodbye, Carter.”
I was taking the use of my name as a win.
I grinned as the call disconnected on its own and turned down Millsbrook Road.
It lined the west edge of Blue Creek Ranch and for the first time, I noticed some construction near the road.
I slowed, taking it in. I wasn’t entirely clear on the BCR’s property line, but I thought this section was part of their acreage. I wondered what they were building.
A few minutes later, I turned into the ranch proper.
I immediately rolled down my window, despite the bite in the air and grinned as Juanpablo sent up the alarm.
Seriously, that donkey was a trip. As I drove past the house, I saw him at his fence line, mouth open wide as he brayed for all he was worth.
Then, as has become my habit, I glanced at the front window of the big house to see the curtain on the bay window flick aside.
I raised my hand in a wave at whomever was looking out.
Probably Jenn, but it could be anybody. I couldn’t quite see.
I parked in my usual spot by the training barn.
Barn 4. I was learning the property and names for the buildings.
I thought I would stop in and take care of Ramona’s stall first, since the Harringtons and assorted staff had started leaving that work for me.
There hadn’t been a discussion about it, other than Mal stopping me the other day with his usual affable grin.
“Just let someone know if you’re not coming in on a particular day, so we can take care of it,” he’d said, then walked away like it was the most natural thing.
I didn’t worry about feeding her because there was a schedule in the barn and someone else took care of that.
If I’d actually wanted to get here early enough, I probably would have handled that too.
Half the time, Ramona was already turned out by the time I arrived.
Unless she was getting training that day.
If I found her in her stall, I knew Hawk was planning on working with her, and I settled her in the wash bay while I cleaned the stall, then groomed her before putting her back.
I grabbed the bag from the passenger seat then got out of the Jeep.
I headed straight for the barn but instantly realized the indoor arena was empty.
I crossed through to the outdoor arena, glad I’d put on the thicker flannel today.
October in Colorado was definitely chilly, though there were still some warmer days.
Hawk was there, perched on a pretty brown horse with black legs and mane.
It took a second, and I had to rifle through the research I’d crammed into my brain, before I remembered this color was called bay.
One of the things I’d loved learning was that all the different horse breeds had different standards of colors, and some of the colors were the same but had different names based on the breed.
Horse people were strange.
The man in question was entirely focused on the horse.
He used his legs and reins to make the horse turn in a circle, front feet planted.
Then Hawk backed it up and spun in the opposite direction, this time with back feet planted.
I didn’t know the point of that, but it was fascinating to watch.
Hawk had complete control and the horse was perfectly willing to do whatever he asked.