75. Ep Ford
Ep Ford
“I don’t have any doubts, kid.” I clap Sawyer on the back. “You’re worried about shit that hasn’t happened.”
He ducks his head in a nod and fidgets with his ballcap. “Soph and I went through the numbers a hundred times. It makes sense on paper, but actually doing it?” The up and down motion of his chin shifts to side to side. “I dunno. Maybe it’s too much too fast?”
“There ain’t nothin’ in cattle that moves quick except the dogs at their heels.” I point with my forehead toward Roscoe nipping at an ornery steer avoiding the chute. “They’re like the problems we gotta always face, kid, pushing us in directions we aren’t sure if we should go.”
With a whistle, my cattle dog runs to me, his tongue lolling as he collapses into the shade.
“I just don’t want to fuck Cade over.” Sawyer’s lower lip juts while he falls into step next to me. “It’s taken a lot to rebuild that relationship and I don’t want to lose it.”
My jaw clenches on our way to the barn. Those years when we all doubted Cade were some of the darkest in my life.
Not only did I lose Sarah, I lost a member of my family. I didn’t appreciate how much grief I carried over it until the truth came out.
Cade was the younger brother to our rat pack. Without him, it was like walking without a shadow.
I’m thankful he’s back and has been making a point of visiting every summer since. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since that day we buried the plague that haunted us.
“If I know him, this is his way of rebuilding too. When he walked away from Black Gulch, he did it to try and protect you. It’s your turn to show him what that meant.” I grab a beer and toss it to him, then pull one out for myself. “Like your dad, I’m here for you, kid.”
“Thanks, Ford.” Sawyer lets out a sigh. “Gotta admit, the new brand looks pretty cool.”
“It does. Soph did a nice job with it.” Fuck, the ice cold malt tastes a little like heaven in this heat. At least it isn’t as humid here as it is in Italy.
I like visiting the Mediterranean with April, that’s about it.
Black Gulch is my home and that never will change.