7. Seven
Seven
Abi
I had managed to avoid Cash for three days. It wasn’t easy. He and his client were here constantly. I took up sanctuary in my office, away from everyone, looking at the dreaded numbers. With the income from Cash, it eased the worry a little bit, but we still needed more. I had put out an ad for boarding horses and even a few other animals. Ads were floating around on social media, which seemed to be working since my inbox had a few potential inquiries.
But with my mind fixated on a million other things, I couldn’t find the focus to schedule them.
When I tried to calm my brain and clear my thoughts, all I saw was my son jumping into Cash’s arms. I didn’t even tell him Cash was here; I didn’t think he would remember him. I hadn’t talked about Cash to Stetson for five years, but he apparently had a better memory than I realized. So good in fact that he literally jumped into his arms without hesitation for the tightest reunion hug possible. The things it did to my heart…I can’t even acknowledge because it caused an ache strong enough to break me. How did he remember Cash but not his own father? For the past three days, Stetson has begged to spend time with him, and as much as I wanted to ignore it, I wanted to see him smile more. If taking a ride with Cash was what was going to give that to him, then I would gladly watch those two saddle up a horse and take a ride. Even if it tugged at my heart in more ways than one.
Taking a deep breath, I hoisted myself from my desk. I pushed any and all thoughts of Cash out of my mind. I had plenty of things to keep me busy. Clean the stables, rake the indoor arena—simple upkeep that I could start to tackle on my own. Bigger projects would need to wait until spring was fully underway, but hey…we had to start somewhere right?
Alright—here we go. Time to tackle that to-do list.
The stables housed thirty stalls, and only twenty of them were in use. The large, deep brown building opened up to the indoor arena where Rhett would practice tie-down and training sessions would take place. It was by far the largest footprint on the five thousand acres that was Hartwell Hills Ranch. The rolling hills that made up our two pastures—one smaller, one larger—were still wet with a rainstorm we had gotten, making the vibrant colors of spring want to peek out even more. Winter was ending soon, and the lush colors were about to make Hartwell Hills the most beautiful place in Alpine Ridge.
Twelve horses should be in the stables, with the others out on the land with ranchers as they worked. I knew I was capable of getting the twelve that remained out in the pasture, and then the cleaning would begin. I could spend all day in here avoiding a certain cowboy.
Luna was first. Moving her into the pasture was easy as could be since the girl didn’t need a lead. Then came Buckle and Onyx. The thought only barely crossed my mind that my brother and cousins’ horses were still in their stalls before I led them out to the pasture. My parents’ horses, then Stetson’s horse, Wyatt’s chestnut horse Rusty, and then the three that had recently joined our pack.
I spent some time with Hook and Charming, getting them used to my voice before slipping the leads on them and carefully taking them out with the others. Hook had spunk, and Charming was calm and relaxed. Then I approached Nova, Cash’s horse, as she grazed on the fresh hay that was there for her already. She was sweet—just as I remembered—and took to the lead with ease. Cash had let me ride her a few times before. He didn’t even let Carolyn ride her, not that she would anyway. But me, he’d watched me mount her and then walked beside me as I took her around the arena with a baby Stetson in my lap. It was a good memory, and those good memories were always clouded when it came to Cash. Nova followed closely, bumping her nose with my cheek before making her way to the field. I closed the gate, counted all twelve horses and then turned back into the stables.
First task….check.
After grabbing all the tools I’d need to muck and clean each stall, I ran my hand through my hair, pulling the unruly mess into an even unrulier bun on top of my head. As soon as I made it into the first stall and gathered my first shovel full of hay, a loud bang came from over me. Then another. And another.
“What the…” I looked up, half expecting the ceiling to fall through.
Another bang.
Dropping the shovel, I made my way outside, walking out into the sunlight to see the man I had been avoiding standing on top of the roof.
“What the hell are you doing up there?” I asked, loud enough for Cash to hear me.
He stopped and turned, giving me that stupid, cocky-ass smile of his. “I’m fixing some tiles; I noticed a few leaks the other day.”
“So, you just took it upon yourself to climb up there and fix the shingles?” I argued.
He smiled, “Well, I knew there was a lot going on, so I figured I’d help out.”
“I had that planned for spring.”
“Well, now it’s getting done before spring.” He leaned his palms on his knees, that damn smile only growing. “If you’re boarding horses you need to have a leak-free roof. I bet your horses will like it a lot, too.”
Placing my hands on my hips I scoffed. “Where’s Lachlan?”
“Up here.” Cash motioned behind him. “Rhett and Stet, too.”
“Stetson’s up there?” I asked, half worried, half not. It wasn’t the first time my son was on a roof, having been up many times to shovel snow off it, but the thing that didn’t settle well with my stomach was the fact that Cash called Stetson Stet.
That was Sylas’s nickname for him.
Cash laughed. “Yeah, little dude jumped on the chance to help. He called to you when you were moving the horses. Did you hear him?”
“No I…” was too busy thinking about riding your horse… “I didn’t.”
“Oh. Well, you were with Nova.”
“Abi.” Lachlan appeared, raising a hand to shield his face from the late afternoon sun. “Can you move the ladder to the west side? There are more shingles to fix there. I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten up here.”
“Yeah well,” I scoffed as I moved to the ladder.
“Thankfully Cash caught those leaks. I’m shocked the snow didn’t cave it in.”
“And my son is up there?” I questioned, the half worry turning to full-blown worry. He could handle himself, yes. Life skill, sure…but him falling through the roof? I did not need to end my day by a trip to the ER.
“He’s fine. He’s with Rhett.” Lachlan waved me off, turning to leave, leaving me with Cash once again.
His smile faded, but didn’t leave as his eyes locked on me. “He’s ok. He insisted, and he’s doing a great job.”
“Just make sure he doesn’t fall through the roof. You though—” I looked towards Cash, half tempted to point at him. He just tilted his head and gave me a grin, waiting for my cheeky reply. I rolled my eyes. “Feel free to fall through.” I slammed the ladder on the gutter and turned, making my way back into the barn to finish the chore I started before I was so rudely interrupted.
I did not complete my task.
I was only able to get through half of the stables before my body had to call it quits. Half of the stables looked amazing, the other half looked like horses lived there. The ranch hands had just finished putting the horses back inside, and they all headed back to the bunk houses, leaving Stetson and me alone with Marshmallow and Luna, waiting to be brushed and settled in.
“I just wish we didn’t have to clean out their poop all day,” Stetson grumbled from the stall next to me.
I chuckled. “Well bud, that’s what happens when you have a horse. Marsh is a poop machine.”
“I didn’t even ride today. Why do I need to brush him?”
“Would you want to be covered in filth all night?” His dark hair flew from side to side as he shook his head, the only part of him I could really see as he stood on the stool next to the big white horse he claimed. “Exactly, so brush him and then go bathe yourself.”
He groaned.
“Did you have fun today?”
“Yes!” His body spun, and his eyes became visible over the wooden stall barrier. “Uncle Cash taught me how to replace a shingle on the roof, and then we grilled hamburgers for dinner. Even Nana Lottie ate one and loved it. Miss Kyla said she’d help me with my homework tonight, but I just really wanna watch a movie.” Stetson talked at rapid speed. If I wasn’t his mother and fluent in ‘Stetson’ I wouldn’t be able to understand him.
But my mind froze on one fact. Uncle Cash. He didn’t even call Kyla ‘Aunt Kyla.’ She was Miss Kyla. Why did Cash get a title that was so close to family? So close to home? “Why do you call him Uncle Cash?” I blurted out.
“Because that’s what daddy called him.”
“You remember that?”
“Yeah. I remember Uncle Cash. I like having him here.” He turned back to the horse. “Don’t you, Momma?”
“Yea, Abi, don’t you?”
I heard the Southern drawl before I had any other sign that he was behind us. I turned slightly and watched him approach the stalls, leaning against the gate, letting his arms hang over the metal.
I didn’t answer. My back stiffened as I tried to remember what Lachlan had said, those big girl pants I was supposed to be wearing. I took a deep breath through my nose. This was fine.
“Brushes are in the closet, I’m assuming? I know Hook and Charming haven’t been brushed for a while,” he asked, pointing his thumb behind his shoulder to the closet.
I nodded, keeping my focus on the horse.
Keep your big girl pants on, Abi. It’s best if you don’t talk to him at all.
“Do you mind if I hang around? Take care of the horses?”
“That’s Rhett’s job.” I bit.
So much for not talking to him.
“Rhett and Kyla headed back to their place. Your mom saved you a plate of pie. You too, Stet.”
Stet. He needed to stop that.
“Mom! Can I go eat the pie?! I forgot about it!” My son jumped off the stool and handed Cash the brush he was holding. “Uncle Cash, can you finish Marsh for me?”
“Sure thing. You did great work on the roof today. Ready for part two later?”
“Hell yeah!” Stetson screamed.
“Stetson!” I shouted, trying to hide the laugh that was forming after hearing my son swear. He grew up on the ranch, so he had heard far worse, but he knew not to say them…well possibly knew not to say them.
His eyes widened as Cash croaked a throaty laugh. I glared at both of them.
“Sorry, Momma.” He ran, bolting out of the barn.
I shook my head.
“He takes after Sylas.” Cash still had laughter in his voice.
Taking a deep breath, I didn’t respond.
“Abs,” Cash said softly.
No answer.
Don’t. Give. In.
“Abi.”
I shook my head.
“Are you going to ignore me the entire time I’m here? Are you that pissed about the roof?” He pushed himself off the gate, opening Marshmallow’s stall, petting his nose before bringing the brush to his neck.
“No,” I answered.
“No to what?”
“No, I’m not that pissed about the roof. It needed to be done.”
“So, you’re just not going to talk to me?”
“Exactly.” I pushed the brush into Luna’s coat, making her bob her head slightly.
The stable grew quiet, Cash working on Marshmallow while I worked on Luna. Going through the motions, forcing down any words that may want to explode out.
I wanted the answers, but I wanted to go back to how things were without him. I knew I could get through everything without him. With him here, it was harder. And I didn’t like it.
“You know Abs, there’s only room for one brooding cowboy on this ranch, and I’m sorry to say Lachlan has that title down.” Cash’s laugh filled the stall, his hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.
He.
Laughed.
Before I could stop myself, I tossed the brush across the stall, hitting him directly in the back of the head. His hand moved, holding the spot where the wood hit as he turned to me, his eyes meeting mine with a look of pure confusion.
“Fuck off,” I grunted before leaving him alone in the stable.