16. Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Maddox
My hands rest in my pockets as I let my eyes trail over the bull pens. At one point in my life, I thought I’d be the man riding these machines. The one to make that glorious eight second ride, have my name displayed across the jumbotron with the crowd going wild. But it wasn’t in the cards for me. I couldn’t travel from rodeo to rodeo after dad died. My siblings needed me. My mom needed me, and so that dream was pushed aside, and it led to me dropping an idea in Emmett’s ear. Instead of being the man on the bull, maybe I could be the one to provide the bull. Seeing as Ivy’s cousin Parker Stillwater was becoming one of the top bull riders in the Pbr, Emmett took interest in the business proposition and that interest led to the purchase of the Mayson Ranch’s first bucking bull and its only grown from there. Emmett entrusted me with this portion of the ranch, and I’ve never had more pride than when I look out over these magnificent creatures. We were lucky enough to start with a prime bull who could not only perform, but his bloodline gave us the ability to expand. To get into the breeding industry which is what has been the main source of income for the ranch the last couple of years. But even with the revenue from the contracts and the rodeos, the ranch is suffering, and Emmett’s too fucking hardheaded to admit it.
I’ve already made notes on the white board of what the bulls need to be fed. Feeding these animals isn’t just some oats dumped in a bucket. It’s precise. It’s specific to the bull, especially to the ones we use for breeding. This last year has been slower in terms of events, but we have a couple of places to hit later this season, and I have someone coming tomorrow to pay top dollar for some Havoc DNA.
Aiden and Hoss help me with the feeding, and they typically do most of it after I’ve laid out the diet. At first, I only allowed myself to do it. I didn’t trust any of the ranch hands to not fuck up my operation. Even Ryder and Cooper want no part, but if I happen to be out of town, or for some reason can’t be here, I need someone else who knows how to handle them correctly. Aiden has proved he’s just as invested in these animals as Emmett and me. He’s a hard worker and a damn good horseman. Hoss is just a kid, but he’s eager to learn.
After I’ve made the notes for them, I head out of the bull barn and amble straight to the horse barn to begin my morning routine. Keeping a norm will help me sort shit out in my head. The main topic being the petite blonde who’s sleeping under the same roof as me. The woman I haven’t been able to rid from my psyche no matter how many beers I drink or how hard I work myself to the bone. She stays there. Everywhere. It’s not my domain, it’s Cooper’s, but I have my reasons for my daily visits, and he doesn’t ask any questions. I’m not sure whether he doesn’t care, or he already knows the answer. Either way I appreciate his turning of a blind eye.
An hour later I’m about to retreat to my office when my phone rings. It’s just after sunup now, barely seven o’clock.
“Hey ma,” I answer.
“Morning.” I can hear the yawn in her voice. “How’s my boy?”
“Same as always.” I press the phone between my ear and shoulder as I enter the office.
Millie Sheppard is a saint. A woman who spent her nights working at the Silver Ridge assisted living facility. She had the biggest heart, the kindest soul, and more patience than any human on this earth. Which is why I’d do anything for her. After all, I’m the reason she became a widow at the age of forty-six.
“Would you mind stopping by later today? That fire alarm in the hallway has been beeping for a week and it’s driving me insane. I would change it but…”
“But nothing. I’ll handle it.” I shut the door behind me and flip on the lights.
She sighs. “Thank you.”
She never has to thank me. I’m happy to do it. We all know Brady is never available to do anything she needs, and Laiken has her plate full with Trace. It leaves me.
“I’ll be by after lunch,” I tell her as I approach my office door.
“Ok. I’ll get a few hours of sleep in. Love you.”
“Love you.” I end the call, but my steps slow when I see the light already on in Emmett’s office.
I stop at the threshhold to see Ivy’s cheek pressed against the plywood, her body resting on the old rusty office chair.
I step inside, waiting for her to move or to startle at my presence, but she doesn’t budge. Black lashes touch her cheeks, her breathing even. She’s sound asleep on a mound of documents. A part of me wants to wake her up just to drive home that she’s not supposed to be walking on her ankle. But the other part of me, the part that would just rather let her rest after the recent events wins this round. Not wanting to wake her, I walk to my office, and lower down in my chair. My hand scrubs across my face, and when it drops to my thigh, I freeze. There it sits. Right on top of my desk calendar.
A wildflower.