Chapter 7
Late afternoon, with only a few chores left to do, Caleb walked around the corner in the barn to discover Sasha standing beside a very patient Firecracker as she helped Tyler drag the curry comb over the horse’s withers.
“Nice and smooth. Keep your other hand on her so she knows you’re there,” Sasha guided.
“Firecracker likes me to groom her,” Tyler declared. He stood on a three step mounting block so he could reach high enough, and the sight of him fearlessly caring for the animal lit both a warm spot inside Caleb’s heart and a touch of cold fear.
He wanted his children to be knowledgeable and love the ranch, but not being the one in charge of their teaching?
Uncomfortable? Wary? Sad that the world was changing?
Still, Sasha seemed to have it more than under control. She stood in the perfect position that if Firecracker did spook, Sasha could nab Tyler and swing him to safety.
She also spoke with quiet authority to her brother. “Firecracker does like you caring for her, but sometimes she gets scared, and she’s very big. She could hurt you without meaning to, and then she’d be sad. You can only be near her and the other animals when you’re with a grown-up.”
“I know.”
Tyler stroked the brush again, eyes intent on the horse. Sasha’s attention was mostly on her brother, but she must have sensed someone watching because she glanced over and smiled when she spotted Caleb.
She winked then spoke to Tyler again. “Yes, you do know. But when something is important, we say it over and over so it stays important. Tell me something else that’s big and important when you’re around Firecracker.”
“I have to be quiet. And happy inside but not jumping-up-and-down happy. Cuddling with Mama happy so the horses know I’m a good person.”
“That’s right.” Sasha tapped Tyler on the shoulder. “What do you say if it’s time to brush her back and belly?”
Tyler offered Sasha the brush. “I need help. Time to move the box.”
“Excellent.” She took the brush. The little tyke crawled down quietly and then stepped away until his back hit the stall wall, waiting patiently until Sasha patted Firecracker on the side then leaned over to adjust the mounting box.
She stood, and Tyler walked forward slowly, climbing up into position before gently returning his hand to Firecracker’s flank.
“Good Firecracker,” he said.
Sasha handed back the brush, and as they started up again, Caleb slipped away without disturbing them.
The barn wasn’t silent—it rarely was. The horses shifted gently from foot to foot, the ranch dogs raced through the aisleways, and a constant low murmur of voices all blended into the familiar melody that was the ranch.
Caleb soaked it in and let it fill his soul.
He paused when he spotted Dustin through an open doorway.
His youngest brother had a saddle on the stand and an assortment of leather and metal tools beside him. “There’s a sight I don’t see often.”
Dustin looked up from his task, a stitching awl in his hand loaded with heavy duty waxed line. His lips quirked upward. “Me working? Or me sewing?”
“No false modesty, bro. We both know you’re no slacker. At least not anymore.” Caleb ducked the piece of leather Dustin threw at him then leaned on the doorframe of the tack room. “The sewing part is new.”
“Yeah, I was polishing them up and noticed more than a few of the older saddles are showing some wear and tear. More aesthetics than structural, though. I’ve spent the day restitching loose seams and replacing saddle strings. I’m nearly done.”
Caleb watched his brother smoothly use the awl to work the thread into the existing holes, back and forth and then in the opposite direction in the traditional strong saddle weave. “Good job.”
“Thanks.” Dustin glanced up. “Hey, I was hoping to catch you before the day was done.”
Right. Caleb checked over his shoulder then spoke quietly. “Should have told you right away, but I spoke to the lawyers. They’re proceeding with what needs to happen to keep Charity’s mother from contacting either Charity or her sister again. They suggested restraining orders, just in case.”
Dustin sighed heavily before meeting Caleb’s gaze. “Thank you. I hate that it’s necessary, but—”
“But it is. From what you two told me, April has only ever had her own best interests at heart. That doesn’t seem to have changed.” Caleb grunted. “Even if she has changed, Charity doesn’t need to welcome her back with open arms, or even reluctant ones.”
“The ladies both know that, and so do I.” Dustin sat back. “I’m glad for the update, but it’s not what I needed to talk to you about.” He tilted his head toward the other chair in the room. “Sit.”
“That bad?” Caleb asked, but he did as requested.
Dustin took a deep breath then dove in, repeating his conversation with Uncle Frank regarding an heir, and the acknowledged problems behind the thought.
“I see where he’s coming from, and I can understand why he wants what he’s built to have lasting value.
Still, he wants to be clear that he hopes Crooked Creek can stay in the family, but not at Silver Stone’s expense. ”
Caleb got that, but a moment of frustration still flickered that he hadn’t been the one Frank approached.
He pushed the annoyance away just as fast. The logic behind talking to Dustin first was more than sound. Caleb would have to get over himself.
He leaned back, eyeing Dustin closely. “This doesn’t sound like an announcement that you and Charity are packing up and moving.”
A slow smile crossed Dustin’s lips and he shook his head. “Us leaving is a no. As much as I now respect and care for Uncle Frank, both Charity and I feel our life is here at Silver Stone.”
Relief rushed in, but Caleb dipped his chin to acknowledge the most important part of that. “Knowing what you want is key. I’m glad for you and Tee.”
Dustin’s expression grew serious again. “I’ve gone over it, and I suppose they should be asked, but I can’t see any of the rest of the family wanting the challenge either.
Kelli, I’m sure, wants to be here training the horses when she’s not on maternity leave.
Crooked Creek doesn’t train horses like that.
And Luke has never wanted to leave the ranch.
Walker and Ivy won’t move the children from their extended family.
Tucker is foreman here, and the same thing.
He's not moving Ginny, Demi, and the new baby away from his uncle or the rest of us.”
“I’m not moving,” Caleb joked. “Tamara moved once and she’s said that was enough for a lifetime.” It was a sobering thought, though. “Which means telling Uncle Frank none of us are interested.”
His youngest brother nodded slowly then met Caleb’s gaze in a near challenge. “When I came to the same conclusion, Charity said something outside the box. It might be hard to hear, but it’s also a brilliant idea.”
“Why do I feel as if I’m going to hate whatever it is you’re about to say?” Caleb demanded, before an idea leapt into his head. “Oh shit.”
“If none of our generation want to move, there’s still Sasha.
And Emma, or down the road one or the other of the next generation.
But Sasha is the one who right now is nearly finished school and taking at least a year to figure out what she wants to do next.
” Dustin leaned back, abandoning the tools on the small tabletop beside him.
“It’s not an outrageous idea. She’s a born horseman, and what she doesn’t know yet, she’s smart and willing to learn. ”
“But she’s my daughter.” Caleb dragged in a breath.
“She is, and if she already knew what direction she wanted to go, she’d be leaving home temporarily for college in the fall.
Calgary maybe, but more likely Olds or Edmonton if she wants a Bachelor of Agriculture or something.
” Dustin paused. “Heading to Crooked Creek to hands-on learn how to run the ranch could be considered a made-to-order university degree.”
Caleb couldn’t deny the logic. Couldn’t deny it was a hell of an opportunity for his girl.
Couldn’t deny the pit that had opened in his gut at the idea of her leaving Silver Stone.
But Dustin was right. She nearly had one foot out the door already.
“I need time,” Caleb said. “She’ll need time.”
“Uncle Frank gets that,” Dustin said gently. “He said there’s no rush, but he wanted to start the conversation.”
“So I’ll talk with him myself. Sometime in the next bit, after Tamara and I go over it.”
“And Sasha?”
That was an easy answer. “Not saying anything to her yet.”
Dustin raised a brow. “That’s a lot of talking if she’s not interested.”
“She’s got three months left before graduation.
Tests and final assignments. Plus, she already has a plan in place for next year—figuring out what she wants to do.
” Caleb shook his head. He’d talk to her, he would.
When the time was right. “Let’s let her enjoy these final months without the added stress of deciding if she wants to upend everything she’s ever known. Even for the chance of a lifetime.”
Dustin eyed him for a moment then nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave it with you. Charity and I won’t say a word until you tell us it’s time.”
“Appreciate it.” Caleb rose then impulsively hauled his brother up for a hug, pounding him on the back with appreciation. “Glad to know you’re Silver Stone to the core.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dustin agreed.
Caleb left him to finish his task, wandering back through the barn with his head spinning and his heart aching. It was a great opportunity, and he wanted the best for his children.
Letting them go, though? That was going to break him.
He paced back toward the stall to discover Sasha doing the final clean up on Firecracker, no sign of Tyler.
“Nearly done?”
“Nearly. Emma took Ty up to the loft for pre-dinner kitten time. I wanted to make sure Firecracker was happy before I stopped.” She ran a gentle hand over the horse’s face, and he leaned into her palm contentedly.
She was smart and brave and a wonderful person. Frank would be lucky to have her as an heir.