12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Sutton
J ohnny Walker grazes in the corral behind the stables as I approach. When I was younger, we didn’t have any permanent staff. None of them lived on the property, so the only people caring for the horses were our family.
I was a teenager when Mama and Dad expanded from one herd to two. It took everything they had—a risk similar to what I’m about to make with this potential expansion. The biggest difference is that, for the most part, their growth was incremental. This change is on a much larger scale, and we have a lot to lose if it goes badly.
All of this sits at the forefront of my mind, right beside my worries about Maci and all that’s going on with her. I’m torn between doing what I think is right for her and letting her do what she thinks is best because she’s a grown-ass woman. But she’s a grown-ass woman who I fucking love, and I don’t like thinking she’s in danger or being painted into a corner.
Johnny Walker lifts his head and studies me, as if knowing I could use a long ride.
My phone buzzes in my shirt pocket as I step into the tack room. I doubt it’s Maci, because she’s too damn stubborn to actually call if she needs something, but I check anyway.
Sammi.
Now there’s a voice I haven’t heard in a while.
“Hey, sis,” I say, pressing the phone to my ear and leaning against the door frame. “Everything okay?”
Sammi chuckles. “Of course. Can’t I call my big brother?”
I frown. “Ok, well now I know somethin’s up.” The door of the stable office is open and the room is empty. No one uses it. I slide open the window to let in a breeze and plop down in the swivel chair.
“I heard you have a girlfriend, and I want to know when I get to meet her.”
My boots thud on the desk as I kick them up. This is going to be a long conversation. The chair protests beneath my weight. “So, you’ve been talking to Mama.”
“Of course I have. Unlike you, she knows how a phone works.” Her tone is only half playful. “Anyway, when do I get to meet her?”
I clear my throat. “We plan on coming up soon. I was actually going to reach out and see how your calendar looks coming up.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Mama overheard that conversation, too. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.” I hike an eyebrow, even though she can’t see me.
“Well, when are you thinking?”
I sigh. “I’m not sure. I need to talk with Maci more about it. Some things came up.”
Sammi hums a non-committal response. She’s like Mama. When they’re quiet or blank in the face, you know they’re up to something or looking for information. “How are you?”
I breathe an exasperated laugh. “I’m fine.”
Her beating around the bush isn’t doing anything. She’s talked to Mama, and that woman can’t keep a secret from her daughter to save her life. I wouldn’t be surprised if she told Sammi that I said Maci’s my future wife.
My fisted knuckles rub against my chest.
“You know, you don’t have to handle everything on your own.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Sammi sighs, and I can see the sister of our teenage years rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “I’m still here for you.”
“I love you, but you have a life that isn’t here—”
She interrupts. “I’m still your sister. It doesn’t mean I don’t care just because I’m somewhere else.”
“That’s not what I mean. I don’t need to call you about what I have going on. You have enough going on with a baby, a marriage, and your job.” Quite frankly, I wouldn’t call even if none of those things were true. I’m not in the habit of talking through things with my sister.
“Sutton, I know you think you need to be the hero, but you don’t.”
I kick my feet off the desk and sit upright. “I never said that.”
“You don’t have to. A wall barely separated us for eighteen years. I also saw it first-hand…” Her voice trails off.
Ok, so I beat the shit out of her high school boyfriend when he got too handsy at a party and wouldn’t take no for an answer. That wasn’t being the hero, though. It was doing the right fucking thing.
I don’t bother with a response.
“It sounds like you have a badass girlfriend who was put into an awful situation, and she did what she had to.”
“We aren’t getting into this.” This is the last thing I want to deal with this morning. The exact opposite of what a relaxing ride provides for me.
“You don’t need to feel guilty. I highly doubt Maci blames you in any way. It’s just a shitty situation.”
“Yep.” She knows as well as I do that my curt response is an end to the conversation, not an agreement.
“Just think about it. And seriously, call me.”
“Mmhmm.” The office door slams closed against the trim behind me as I head back outside.
“I love you, bubba.”
“You, too.” I end the call before she can say anything else. I pinch the bridge of my nose to counter the headache coming on.
Having saddled and mounted Johnny Walker, I’m about to head out for my anticipated solo ride when my phone vibrates in my shirt pocket. There’s no stopping the heavy sigh that escapes my lips.
I answer without checking the caller ID. “Yeah.”
“Boss man, we got a problem,” Jason says. There’s a hint of concern in his voice. “One of the cows has her head stuck in the fence.”
I frown. “The fence?” The majority of the fencing where the herds are is cattle fencing. It’s specifically made to avoid animals getting snagged on or stuck in it.
“Well, the gate to the southwest pasture.”
“What the fuck.” The exasperated words are meant for me only. Our panel gates are definitely large enough for a cow head, and a lot heavier than the fencing, too. “Alright, I’ll be down there in a few minutes. Who’s with you?”
“It’s me and Cody. Kelly’s fixing part of the fence line along the road. She’s starting to thrash around.”
“Do either of you have a jacket?”
“Yeah, I’ve got one.”
“Okay. Toss that over her head to calm her down. I’ll grab the cutting torch and head that way. I need to put Johnny back in the pasture. Call Kelly on the radio and have him call the vet. We’ll have them check her out after she’s loose.” There are a few vets in town, but only one that handles cattle. They’re familiar with us, and we don’t usually have trouble getting them out the same day to check on animals when it’s needed.
“Yes, sir.”
I move as quickly as possible, removing Johnny Walker’s saddle and tack, and put him out to pasture. He paws at the ground and swishes his tail at me in annoyance. Unfortunately, I understand all too well that he was craving this ride.
“Sorry, big guy. Duty calls.” I reach for him, but he grunts and takes off before I can pat him. I don’t have time to deal with a moody horse, too, so I focus on the task at hand, hurrying to grab the welding torch and get into the truck.
The ride to the south pasture is bumpy, especially after the caliche road ends. By the time I make it to the gate in question, Kelly has also arrived. The cow seems reasonably settled with Jason’s Carhartt jacket draped over her head.
I set my hat on its crown in the passenger seat, exchanging it for the welding helmet.
Cody and Jason turn to me as I approach with the torch in hand. Cody grins. “I got a photo in case you want to turn this moment into a meme later.”
My brows pull together. “A what?”
Kelly, on the other side of the fence, drops his head and shakes it slowly. I think the reaction is directed at Cody, not me. “Not the time,” he mutters, but there’s no anger in his tone.
Cody’s smile turns sheepish.
I blink and shake my head. “Alright, I’m gonna start cutting. Just try to keep her calm, but watch out for legs.” I’m preaching to the choir; these guys know what to expect from the cattle, but it doesn’t stop me from reminding them.
When the torch is ready to go, I flip the helmet down, after clocking Kelly once more. I won’t have much visibility aside from what I’m doing, so hopefully he’s ready. The cow has a soft disposition and stands mostly still while I work. I lift the lid to find her back feet dancing.
Once she’s loose, Jason pulls the jacket off her head quickly and she runs the opposite direction of us, finding some shade to settle in.
“You get her earring number?” I ask, referencing her ear tag. We spend quite a bit of time with the cows, giving us a chance to learn their varied personalities. But having the number ensures we know we’re handling the right one.
“Yep.” Kelly nods. He turns to Jason. “You did good. She was settled. That went better than it could have.”
He’s right. Once, before this crew, we had a cow get herself stuck in one of the paddock fences and she was as mad as a bull, whipping back and forth. She tore the entire panel down to free herself from it, shaking wildly. It was a risk not only to herself, but all the cattle and ranch hands in the area. Everything turned out okay, but it’s better all the way around when things go smoothly, like today, if it has to happen at all.
“Alright, I’m gonna load this up. You guys need any more help down here?”
Kelly looks to Jason and Cody. They all shake their heads.
I nod. “I’m going to head up to The Big House for a bit, after I drop this off.”
“We’re headed up to the stables.” Jason follows behind me. Kelly climbs into the Defender while Jason and Cody mount Dusty and Boots.
Despite our varied modes of transportation, we make it back to the parking area in front of the stables and barn about the same time. I climb out of the truck, replacing my hat. A loud moo greets me, which wouldn’t be that extraordinary if it didn’t sound close and high.
My eyes rise to the open hay loft of the barn, where Daisy stares out at us.
“Sonofabitch!” I yell. I whip around as Jason and Cody jump down from their respective horses, running up behind me, and Kelly pulls to a stop, cutting the Defender’s engine.
Cody’s eyes are the widest I’ve ever seen, and his face turns a bright red.
“Who left the damn barn door open?” I don’t bother hiding my annoyance.
Cody doesn’t need to say anything. His grimace, which turns from red to green, says it all. “That’d be me.”
I press a hand against my forehead, which is beginning to throb.
The barn has entrances on both sides of the building like the stables. The front doors are shut, but it’s clear the back door must have been left open for Daisy to enter from the pasture side. Although, it’s Daisy. I wouldn’t put it past her to open the front damn door and walk right in.
Kelly speaks up. “Jason, go grab some oats and we’ll lead her back down the same way she went up,” he says.
“Sure, give her a treat,” I mutter.
Kelly ignores me, because we both know it’s the easiest way to get her down.
“This damn cow is going to market. Like, yesterday.” I stalk into the stables to re-shelve the torch and helmet.
“Don’t think Mrs. Strickland would be too happy about that,” Jason calls behind me, not doing much to hide his snicker.
“Well, she can come get her down from the damn loft then!” My annoyed shout carries out the open doors.