Chapter 8 #2
“I’ve been reading about how working with animals, specifically horses, can help troubled kids.
” I looked at each of the Miller brothers in turn, trying to gauge their initial reaction, but they simply looked at me with interest. Even Gunner’s head was tilted, listening carefully.
“We don’t have too many troubled kids at our school, I know that, but I feel like we could do more for some of them.
Lucas Keller for example. His mom works every hour she can and is probably meeting herself coming backwards trying to keep two jobs going as well as being there for him.
And she just can’t do it, so I thought that maybe we could set some sort of afterschool or holiday program up, where they come and work on the ranch.
” I licked my lips, sure that they were going to say no, but carried on regardless.
“I’d do all the planning and get all the paperwork sorted, organize health and safety checks. You wouldn’t have to do anything.”
“Except spend time out of our busy days with these kids,” Gunner replied.
Already feeling frustrated, I huffed out a breath. “I should have known it would be you who dismissed it.” My stomach clenched at the idea of them hating the idea. Now I had it in my head I didn’t want to let it go. Which was typical of me, probably my biggest downfall in life.
“Gunner does have a point, Cassidy,” Wilder said from his recliner. “We have a lot going on.”
“I know, and I know I’m asking a lot of you all.” I looked at each of them. “This is a huge ask, but I think it would be good for the kids of this community. Lucas could be a trial run, if his mom agrees and if it doesn’t work out for you then I’ll think of another option. Another ranch maybe.”
“Aside from Calvin’s ranch the only other one close enough would be Brad Jenkins.
” Nash linked his fingers together between his open legs, looking up at me through his thick lashes.
“Aside from the cattle he only has a few horses and pigs, but even so I wouldn’t want any kids on a ranch that has the Dupree brothers working there.
As for Calvin, well he’s cattle only and there wouldn’t be much the kids could do other than odd jobs. ”
“Oh, my goodness,” Lily exclaimed, her eyes going wide with excitement. “Ariel would be perfect for the kids.”
Gunner groaned, clearly aware of the levels of excitement Lily reached when she liked an idea.
“Lily’s right,” Wilder added with a smirk with a mutual understanding. “She’d be great. She’s calm, she knows when to stand still, and hell, she’d probably teach the kids a thing or two about patience.
“So basically, what you’re saying is, you want me to give up my horse and my time,” Gunner said with a long sigh.
Breathing in so deeply my nostrils flattened, I turned to him. “Do you practice being so negative all the time, or is it just a natural talent?”
His grin didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Pure talent, sweetheart. Some of us are just blessed I guess.” He turned away, but not before I caught the flash of something deeper, regret maybe, crossing his face.
My chest tightened. These moments when he let his guard slip were the most dangerous, reminding me of that first date when he’d been different. Before everything went wrong. “Children please stop,” Wilder said, adjusting a cushion behind his head. “You’re making my ankle ache.”
Nash cleared his throat. “Okay, so how big of a thing are we talking, Cassidy? Just a couple of kids, one at a time or bigger groups?”
I grimaced. “Sorry, I haven’t thought that far ahead. Maybe Lucas at first but then,” I shrugged, “small groups of four or five maybe.”
“Hey, you know what,” Lily said, excitedly. “Instead of turning the old hay barn into a wedding venue, what about a bunk house for kids. Where they can come and stay for a few weeks and work on the ranch.”
“So, we’ve gone from afterschool club to a mini dude ranch,” Gunner scoffed.
“It’s better than fucking weddings and bridezilla’s,” Wilder stated. “Kids are much more fun.”
Nash sat back in his seat and slapped his hands on his thighs. “I don’t think we can say yes or no yet,” he said. “Let us have a think about it, but I must admit, I like the idea.”
“You do?” Gunner sounded surprised.
“We turned out okay living here and we had Dad as our dad.” Nash raised an amused brow. “Bertie and Billy are thriving living on this ranch. It would be good to let other kids have that.”
“I thought you wanted to make more money?”
“I do, Gun, and I think we could make money from that, too.” Lily gave a little gasp and Nash slowly turned to face her, an amused smile on his face. “I’m not all soft and squidgy, Lila, I’m a businessman as well.”
She rolled her eyes and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Okay, but I like the soft and squidgy best.”
Them thinking about it was the best that I could hope for, and I was more than grateful for that.
“Right.” I placed my glass on the coffee table, mind already racing with plans despite their noncommittal response. “Thank you for listening.”
“Hah, like we have a choice when you’re talking,” Gunner murmured loud enough for me to hear.
I chose to ignore him and stood up. Nash did too. “I’ll see you out, Cass.”
“Bye honey.” Lily gave me a finger wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When we got to the door, Nash didn’t open it straight away. Instead, he turned to me.
“I think it’s a great idea, we just need to talk it through first.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You’re a good person to want to do this.”
I shook my head. “No, you will be if you agree.”
Nash chuckled and opened the door. “Gunner is the one who’ll be giving up most of his time, so I think you could say he’s the good guy.”
I didn’t say anything but got in my car and drove away, because I wasn’t sure I could disagree.