Chapter 25 #2
“If you’re not happy working on the highway anymore, maybe it’s time for a change.
A year is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
You’re twenty-five, not fifty. Changing careers is super common when you’re this young.
You’d already have two careers under your belt by the time I freaking graduate. ” I sigh.
“Hey, don’t say shit like that. You’ve worked your ass off. It’s not a competition.” He takes the heavy picnic basket, and we walk the rest of the way in silence.
“It ain’t a bad idea,” Reid says, scratching at his beard.
“I’ve been thinkin’ about hiring a full-time farrier.
The ranch is at a crossroads. To grow, we have to make some big moves like acquiring a lot more horses, which means we’ll need to hire a stable manager and ranch hands and bring in specialists.
I take tireless care of my horses, and with a stable full, I’m going to need help to sustain the expansion. ”
“What kind of expansion? I thought it was just the guest houses?” Connor asks.
“Some people will come to relax, but having more activities will draw in a wider customer base,” Reid says.
Isabelle joins in, “We want to offer trail rides, riding lessons, school field trips, and teambuilding activities. And we’ll need horses and guides if we ever want to offer daytrips or camping.”
“Not to mention Delilah will be graduating soon and will be the best equine therapist this side of the divide,” Izzy gushes. Heat rises to my face, and not from the summer sun.
She turns to me. “You know, Reid and I have talked about it a lot, and we’d love to offer equine therapy at the ranch—but only if you’ll take the reins.”
My eyes bounce back and forth between the two of them. “Are you…serious? You’d let me start a program here?”
“If it’s something you want. We have the resources. This is something we’d like to do for you,” Reid offers, his generosity surprising me.
“It’d be easy enough to set up the logistics. I can check on zoning and you’d need to beef up your liability insurance. Waivers, forms, shit like that doesn’t take any time at all,” James helpfully offers. The Andersens and their businesses are lucky to have a lawyer for a son.
“I don’t know fuck about shit, but I grew up here with these dickheads. Me and Liv would be happy to pitch in any way we can,” Greyson offers. Olivia echoes her support.
This found family of mine blurs together from the tears filling my eyes.
“Y’all would do…all of that for me? What if I’m terrible at it? What if no one comes and I waste your money?”
“Never going to happen,” Connor says, sternly. “Everyone here has complete faith in you.” He squeezes my bouncing knee, grounding me.
“What do you say, twinie?” Izzy asks, hope blooming on her face.
“Yes. I say yes! Oh my god! This is a dream come true. I couldn’t ask for anything better!” I exclaim.
Izzy meets my eyes, and I use our twin telepathy to tell her this could be a perfect solution all around. My eyes flit to Connor, and that’s all it takes. She moves to sit in Reid’s lap and wraps her arms around his neck.
“Thank you, baby.” She kisses him.
“Anything for you, sugar,” he replies.
Izzy toys with the hair at the back of his neck, luring him under her spell. “We’re already in desperate need of a stable manager. It might be nice to have someone we trust, keep it in the family…”
“Everyone’s got full-time jobs, sugar. I don’t think keeping it in the family’s an option,” Reid says.
I nudge Connor’s knee with my own and scream at him with my eyes this is your chance!
He clears his throat and speaks confidently. “If you’re lookin’, I’d be up for the challenge. Haven’t consistently ridden since I was a kid, but I’d love to get back in the saddle.”
“Don’t you work for the department of transportation?” Olivia asks.
“I do. But I’m ready for a change. Don’t want to spend my life alone on the road. I want to be here, with my family.” His eyes twinkle at me, turning my insides to jelly.
“I mean, he’s already family. His sister married our brother,” James offers.
Reid scratches his beard in contemplation, Izzy softly finger combing his hair, whispering in his ear. Olivia, Greyson, and James chatter excitedly about the possibilities.
“If you’re serious, you’re hired,” Reid decides.
“Fuck yea!” Connor shouts. “I mean, yes, I’m serious.
Thank you for the opportunity. Delilah and I were talking about me becoming a farrier and working on the ranch that way.
But this’ll be the perfect way to learn my way around the ranch and the horses.
If it’s alright, I’d still like to look into a farrier program.
I could do both,” he offers, hope filling his voice.
“Didn’t think you’d be the solution to all my problems, Hayes.” Reid shifts Izzy off his lap and comes to stand in front of us. Connor gets to his feet and the men shake hands, sealing the deal.
“Welcome to Lucky Spurs Ranch.”
“I’ll put in my notice Monday morning. There’s always a surplus of folks wanting seasonal work, so I doubt they’ll make me work my notice. Can I get with you once I have a solid end date?” Connor asks.
I disappear into my head, tuning out the logistics, the excitement, and the planning. Everything’s fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle. Everyone’s finding their place at Lucky Spurs Ranch, and it feels right.
It’s too easy. Too convenient. But maybe life doesn’t always have to be hard. Maybe sometimes things fall into place the way they’re meant to.
Connor transforms before my eyes. He wasn’t unhappy before, but he wasn’t fulfilled or challenged, either. This may be the perfect solution to make his life complete.
If only I got to be in that life as more than just a friend.