7. Colt
Colt
“Colt!” Gunner calls out as I close up the last stall door, securing the trail horses for the night.
“Hey, Gunner. What’s up?”
“Any plans with the media guy tomorrow?”
“No. I’m supposed to take him fly-fishing next, but he’s not come around for a few days.”
He slaps my shoulder. “Good. Come on a trail ride with me tomorrow morning. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working. We just got a call for a large group ride tomorrow, and I said yes, but I need help.”
“Absolutely. When are we heading out?”
“They passed on a sunrise ride, so 9 AM we pull out. Group of twelve, and it’s a mix of new riders and some experience. They’re passing through the area and said they saw the ranch on Instagram and called.”
“Oh, wow. That’s kind of cool.” Ethan really is making a difference to the ranch. “I’ll be here early and have the horses ready.”
Gunner leaves, and I do a last walk-through of the barn before leaving.
My mind swirls with thoughts of Ethan as I secure the barn door and walk to my truck.
My hand slides into my pocket to grip my cell phone.
It sits like it has since the day Ethan showed me how to take photos…
quiet. It doesn’t vibrate with notifications and messages like Chris’s at the fly shop, but I have it in my pocket at least.
I’ve not even seen Ethan since the last ride, but his jeep has been in and out of the yard. I only know that because I’ve noticed it parked in different positions in front of the guesthouse most days. I thought about knocking on his door one night, but that didn’t feel right to me.
The bag from the fly shop still sits on my truck seat, and the longer it takes for Ethan to come to me, the more I second-guess the gift. Maybe it’s too much for only knowing him for a short time.
With a quiet laugh to myself, I pull away from the ranch toward home. I can gift to a perfect stranger without thinking twice about it, but giving Ethan something more than my time feels monumental. Maybe I should think more about why that is.
Or maybe I should just not think about it at all.
The flattened boxes in the hallway bring me a feeling of accomplishment.
Unpacking tonight went very well. The hall closet fit all my fishing rods perfectly and even had a shelf for my tackle.
I’m sure the shelf is probably for towels or whatnot, but I’m just one guy.
The three towels I own fit in the bathroom just fine.
After propping my feet on the coffee table, I grab my charged cell and call Uncle Albert. Just wait until he hears I’m carrying a phone all the time.
“Hello?”
“Hi Uncle Albert!”
“Colt! How are you? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just wanted to see how you are and have a chat.”
“I’m well. The home had a live music night yesterday. A fiddle player was here. Then, after I had a nap, I met a younger lady in the activity room to work on a puzzle. Her eyesight isn’t as good as mine, but she can feel the shapes, then I match the pictures, you see?”
My heart lurches, imagining him with his new friend and a puzzle. I used to help with those.
“That sounds like you’re a good team.”
“We are. How are things with the ranch? You must be excited about the busy season.”
“I am! Gunner and I are taking a last-minute booking on a ride tomorrow morning, actually. A group of twelve just passing through.”
“That’s great news! Do you think you’ll have time to visit before you get too booked up? It would be nice to see your face before you’re too busy for the summer.”
Uncle Albert laughs in that gentle way I know and love.
He’s not laying on a guilt trip or anything.
He misses me, and I’ve avoided visiting for the past few weeks because I know he’ll immediately pick up that something has changed.
I’m not ready to talk about Ethan with him yet, and I need more time to figure out what it is I want to say.
“Yes, I was thinking about this weekend, actually. I can take you to that Chinese place you love.”
“Ohhhh, I’d love that, Colt.”
My lips form a smile as I imagine his eyes lighting up, thinking of the buffet. The man has always loved his food.
“Yeah, me too. I miss you.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat before he can comment. “I should probably get some sleep. The morning comes fast these days.”
“Okay, kiddo. I’ll see you Saturday. Lunchtime?”
“Yeah, lunchtime. I’ll spend the afternoon.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I miss you too, Colt. Have a good night.”
“Good night.”
After ending the call, I open the camera app on my phone and scroll through the photos of the horses I took earlier today. They aren’t great, but I’m getting better.
My finger swipes back to the start of my photos. Past the blurry horses and random photos of clouds, I stop at the photo that keeps me up at night. Staring at the screen, I exhale a shaky breath. I still hate my stupid smile, but it’s Ethan I can’t stop looking at.
His smile has a little smirk to it. Paired with his scruffy jaw and mischievous eyes, he’s honestly, devastatingly handsome. I feel a little weird staring at his photo, but it’s probably less creepy than staring at him in person.
With another sigh, I exit the photos and plug in my phone to charge before heading to bed.
“Thank you so much. We loved the ride, and you were exactly as described.”
The woman from the morning ride smiles and exchanges a look with her friend. After our trail ride, the group hung around for a while to ask questions and walk along the river that runs close to the ranch. The footbridge is a great photo opportunity, and it’s always popular with visitors.
“As described? I’m just a ranch hand.” I smile as I turn the last horse out from the ride. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“We certainly did. We might even be back. It was nice to meet you, Colt.”
They wave as they return to their vehicles, and I’m just happy they enjoyed the experience and want to come back. More revenue for the ranch is a good thing.
“You have a fan club,” Gunner announces as he strides over.
“No, I think they’re just being polite.”
Gunner’s lips tilt as he pulls out his phone. He frowns, then walks away from the barn and waves me over. “Sorry, I needed another bar of connection. Come see this.”
He holds out his phone to me and, after instantly recognizing the photo, I scan the words. “What is this?”
“It’s the ranch’s Instagram page. Before you say anything, it was suggested that I follow the accounts to comment and such. You should too.”
One photo has the back of me on horseback, but the rest of the photos are scenery. It’s the caption below that sets my heart racing.
Snow Creek Ranch not only provides breathtaking views and serenity to calm your thoughts.
It also provides cowboys with gentle souls and soft smiles to make every outing feel like it’s your own curated cowboy dream.
Colt is not only a capable guide but an informative host who just might make you wish Snow Creek were your home. Book your trail guide today!
“I think Ethan might be sweet on you, Colt.”
“Do you think so?” Shit, I asked that way too fast. “I mean, honestly. You’re not teasing? You know I’m so shitty at this stuff.”
I blame the years I spent in my room with books and journals. Somehow, I missed the socializing of children that instills the skills of recognizing flattery or attraction.
“I know it’s his job to market and sell us, but he didn’t have to make it so…romantic.” Gunner tucks the phone back into his pocket. “Do you like him?”
“I know I shouldn’t. He’s only here for the season.”
“So that’s a yes.”
“Of course it’s a yes! He’s got these incredible eyes, and I like how he’s so confident in everything. He’s—” Gunner grins so wide you could count his teeth from space. “What?”
“Nothing!” He laughs softly. “You’ve just never talked about someone with this much enthusiasm before.
It’s okay to want things, you know. Even when you think it might be temporary.
” He pauses as his normally piercing blue eyes dim.
“Sometimes, temporary is what we need. Or sometimes things change, and it’s permanent. Both can be good.”
Together we walk toward my truck. I need to run to town over lunch and pick up a package for the ranch at the post office. Gunner says it’s likely the new T-shirts ordered for the camp kids.
When I get to my truck, a note sits tucked under my wiper, and I grab it while Gunner talks about possibly hanging out one night for beer and burgers before we get too busy. I figure the note is probably Jesse giving up on calling me, but it’s not from him at all.
“Oh, shit.” I read the note a second time, just to be sure I understand, and turn to Gunner. “It’s a note from Ethan.”
Gunner grins. “Can I say I told you so? What does it say?”
“Um, he wants to know if I want to grab a beer tonight. He doesn’t have my number.”
Gunner holds up his hands and steps back. “Don’t worry about my invite, Colt. You should go.”
“Do you think so?”
“I know so. He might just want a friend. We can all use more friends.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets with a small smile. “Or he’s lonely out here and wants company. Either way, do it for yourself. You like him.”
I do like Ethan. Maybe more than I should.
“I’ll get the package and think about it.”
Gunner nods. “See you when you’re back then.”
The note from Ethan is now memorized and sits folded in my pocket.
Somehow, I made it through the day, and I’ve decided Gunner is right; I should take a step and try to at least make a friend. Uncle Albert told me once that even baby steps count as moving forward. I think I’d rather move forward slowly than run off a cliff. Just seems safer that way.
With a nod to myself, I bring my knuckles to the front door of the guesthouse. Ethan opens it before my arm is back at my side.
“I was wondering if there was a record for how long you’ve stood on a porch step before.” Ethan smiles at me and motions me in.
Oh, god, he was watching me. I’ve already stepped inside. It’s not like I can hide anywhere now. “Sorry.”
“For what? You had to work up the courage to knock. I get it.”
The guesthouse is neat and tidy, with the kitchen table clearly Ethan’s workspace.
Stacks of brochures and magazines sit in neat piles along with a notebook and pencil.
His laptop cord runs across the floor to a nearby outlet, and it’s the cord he takes care of before he gestures for me to have a seat on the couch.
“You seem like you’re busy.”
Ethan smiles effortlessly. “I’ve been inspired, and when an idea hits, I run with it.”
“You put me on the Instagram thing.”
He bites his lip as he sits on the opposite end of the couch.
“I didn’t use your face or your shirtless body.
Jesse said all the staff were okay with being on social media.
” That’s true. Jesse asked us all before this started, and we signed permission as long as it was promoting the ranch.
“But I also sense you’re a private guy, and I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. ”
“Not uncomfortable. Just…I don’t know. Maybe in disbelief. What you wrote was very nice.”
Ethan smiles. “I’m glad you liked it. It’s true, though.
You’re great at your job. I think you keep to yourself more because you’re afraid of something.
You have a kind soul, maybe even an old soul, and…
” He chews on his bottom lip. “Sorry, I’m assuming a lot about you, but I’d like to know you better. Outside of work, I mean.”
Okay. This is happening. Instead of a low pool of dread building, I feel almost giddy thinking of the things we could do. Ice cream from the Dairy Queen, sunrise by the creek, and mastering the use of the phone so I can take photos of us together.
“Do you want to go to the Saddle Up Saloon tonight? It’s Thirsty Thursday, and they make a great cheeseburger. They have great beer on tap if that’s your thing. Or mixed drinks. Nothing fancy, but they use good orange juice if you drink that.”
Oh my god, I’m babbling because I don’t know how to stop talking, and Ethan is smiling so big he looks extra cute. Which is apparently still the word my brain uses for him. Fuck, even my inside voice can’t shut up.
“I’d love to.”
“Really?” My voice pitches up, and I cringe. Jeez, you’d think I’m just leaving puberty and not an adult.
“Well, I sort of asked you in my note already. So yes, really.” Ethan stands and holds up a cowboy boot. “Do I need these to fit in at the saloon, or can I wear runners?”
“Wear what you’re comfortable with.”
He opts for the runners and stands waiting at the door while I’m still on the couch.
“Colt? Let’s get a cheeseburger.”
“Sorry. I just zoned out there. This is, ah, not something I’m good at.”
“You don’t know how to eat cheeseburgers?” Ethan jokes, and I smile.
“I don’t know how to date someone. It’s been a long time, and I want to apologize in advance for that.”
Ethan pauses at my truck before we get inside.
“Never apologize for who you are, Colt. I like you just fine as is, okay?”
I nod, and once we’re buckled, Ethan takes all the nerves away with a single sentence.
“If it helps, it’s not a date. We’re two friends out getting to know each other. No pressure.”
“Right. Friends.”
And I mean it for the first time in years. I like Ethan, and he makes me feel comfortable. Not many people do, yet he fits right in. Instead of shrinking away, I feel like I can be myself with Ethan.
“Do you have a favorite type of cheese?” I should be mortified about my question for this man, who is so well-traveled and experienced, that the most important thing I want to know about him is what cheese he likes.
But I want to know.
“That’s a tough one. I’m fond of a good swiss or provolone. I love provolone,” he answers as the scenery slides by. Perhaps I’m the only one who thinks it’s an odd question. “Wait, is this like the cream soda thing, and I need to pass a cheese test?”
A surprised laugh bursts past my lips.
“Well, I heard once that only sociopaths would say American cheddar was their favorite cheese.”
Ethan’s laugh fills the truck’s interior.
“I guess I passed both tests then.”
“You’re doing alright,” I concede with a smile.
Understatement. He’s already aced the exam.