Chapter 9 Reese
I’m used to getting up before the sky comes alive and the critters start waking up, yet this morning feels different. I’ve showered, trimmed my beard and am fastening my buckle when I hear it, the early sounds of the roosters crowing.
Our first week settling in has been smooth, it helps that most all the trainees have bunked here before. Though, they’re still reluctant to the early morning schedule. I can tell which ones have to be up early to catch the bus. The thought makes me chuckle.
The youngin’s will be awake soon, Mason and Lin along with them. The farm’s quiet as I make my way out the front door with my blueheeler, Cap, by my side. He’s the best dog I’ve ever had, a hard worker and loyal, plus he’s kept me company since retirement.
It wasn’t easy walking away from everything I’d worked for, though it was necessary. Those thoughts only ever tend to lead me down dark paths that get me nowhere, and still make me feel like shit.
The chow house is already lined up with trays of food for all of our trainers and trainees. Fresh farm eggs are scrambled high in mounds of fluff, piles of bacon rest on paper towels to soak up all the grease, and sausage links and patties sit in a warmer, ready to be devoured.
“Mornin’ Walker,” the old cantankerous Mr. Hank Allen greets me with a steaming mug of coffee, alongside a plate with egg whites and simmered down veggies. “You get them twins figured out yet?”
I should have known he’d ask, they give him one hell of a time, and I know he’s sick of their shit. To be honest, so am I.
Shaking my head, I level him with an honest brow. “I’m not sure what to do about those boys, Hank. They’ve got talent, but they’d rather fight each other and anythin’ that walks than ride.”
He nods as if he understands, and I’m sure he does. He’s had to spend almost as much time as I have with them for punishment alone when they get assigned duty in the chow house. Cleaning the chow house until it shines after starting a food fight that lasted a minute too long.
Spaghetti hung from the rafters for weeks after that, and the smell… it was almost impossible to get out.
Mason walks in not long after I’ve sat down at the small table for trainers to eat. I’m usually gone by the time they get the younger ones in here.
“Good mornin’ to my two favorite old bastards!” He boasts, accepting the plate full of food from Hank.
Hank hmpf’s and stalks off toward the kitchen. He’s not a morning guy, to be honest he’s not an anytime guy, but especially when Mason’s around.
“What’d I say?” He grins, knowing exactly how he digs under Hank’s skin. “You headed back to the Ridge again this mornin’?”
Finishing my coffee, I nod, lean back in my seat and scrape the last bit of eggs onto my fork.
“You think that’s a good idea?” Masons never one to beat around the bush, so when he looks at me with squinted eyes my gut stalls.
Swallowing down the last bite, I wipe my lips with a napkin and tilt my head. “Why not?”
“I’m not too stupid not to know when somethin’ else has your attention,” he says, placing his fork down on the plate and crossing his arms.
I haven’t told him about Goldie–Lucy–because she feels like my little secret.
Something just for me. At least for now, and I’ve only said a few words to her since every time I’ve stopped by the diner this week she’s avoided me.
Do I think it’s a good idea to go back to Goldspur Ridge and press my luck with the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen?
No.
Am I gonna do it anyway? You bet your bottom dollar I am.
But Mason doesn’t need to know that.
“I’ve got a good enough attention span for this place and somethin’ else,” I counter just as the older kids come in with groggy eyes and tired faces.
“Looks like you’ve got chow duty,” I smirk, standing from the table and turning my keys over in my fingers. Picking up my plate, I head over to the wash basin and clear it off before putting it on the gray rack ready for washing.
With a nod to Lin and a gentle pat on Cap’s head, I walk to the truck and hop in. Firing the engine up and rolling out of the ranch. Two horseshoes hang over the gate with R&M in bold letters for the training ranch Mason and I created together.
At first it was a dream, and then one day, Mason made it a reality.
We’ve helped countless young men and women find their groove into the rodeo.
After my last championship, I retired. It was time, and hell, at thirty-five, I was getting too old to be getting on the back of anything that wants to throw me off.
That season of my life was one I’ll never forget, but I’ve moved on, and the training ranch is my pride and joy. My passion.
Bright orange paints the sky as my ride takes me into Goldspur Ridge, by the time I’ve hit the town square the early gray has turned to powder blue. White clouds hang low in the sky, and the shop owners of a few places put out boards with specials on them.
I’ve lived so close to here for the past several years and I’ve never bothered to come into town. It’s charming, and the people seem more than willing to lend a hand to their neighbor.
A few odd looks are thrown my way, until the diner’s lights flicker on and Lucy’s blonde hair sways in the window. Popping the truck’s door open, I pull my hat from the passenger seat and place it on my head.
Strutting into the diner, the smell of the ovens turning on, and the machines humming feels like a small touch of home.
“We’re not open,” her voice calls from the back. I know, she didn’t turn the CLOSED sign to OPEN, yet she unlocked the door.
Bad girl.
“Door’s unlocked,” I smirk even though she can’t see me. There’s a few clangs behind the swinging door and soon she’s pushing the silver door open. Her hair’s pulled back into a knot on the top of her head with wisps falling out.
She’s beautiful, even with flour dusting her apron. I’m sort of impressed at how fast that happened. Her features aren’t amused though. Wiping her hands on the apron she’s got covering her pretty sundress, she steps around the counter and anchors her hands on her plush hips.
“And? Do you usually waltz into every place like you own it?” She asks, disdain drips from her pretty lips, and my smile makes her brows furrow even further. I can tell she’s annoyed I’m back, and she’s got no distractions this time
“Not usually,” I admit, to which she scoffs and crosses her arms over her chest. I shouldn’t look, but damn if that dress doesn’t make her curves look perfect.
I can see where her stomach hangs over her hips, a perfect line that makes my cock twitch.
Taking a deep breath to clear my mind, I’ve never creeped on a woman before, I don’t plan on starting now.
“I doubt that.” Her lips flatten, but her eyes are bright.
“I only came back for my card, Goldie,” I chuckle, defusing the tension in her brows. “It’s been a week, and I kinda need it back. So, are you gonna give it to me?”