CH 7 - #wtf
#wtf
Luke
After putting on a T-shirt, my belt, socks, boots, and hat, I headed to my truck. I needed to tend to Casper and also begin training a new customer’s quarter horse for cutting. I wasn’t in the mood to do it because of the deal with Madison, but I was committed to my work.
I’d just cranked my truck when I received a text.
Sierra: Hey.
Staring at her one word, I debated whether to reply. I wasn’t in the mood for her to ask me about hooking up either. I knew that was the reason she’d contacted me. Fucking her was the last thing on my mind. Still, I replied anyway because we were friends.
Me: What’s up?
Sierra: Just wondering what you’re doing this morning.
Me: About to go to work.
Sierra: I saw you last night at Midnight Rodeo with that pretty red-headed woman.
I was wrong about the reason why Sierra texted me.
Me: And?
Sierra: Who is she?
Me: Mr. and Mrs. Livingston’s youngest daughter.
Sierra: How did you and she get together?
Me: We ran into each other by chance and started talking.
Sierra: Did you know her before then?
Me: We met a few days ago on the ranch.
Sierra: So you barely know her.
Me: Where are you going with all of this?
Sierra: I’m just trying to understand you kissing her so soon.
Me: Were you spying on us?
Sierra: Call it what you will. I couldn’t get over the fact that the Luke I know essentially kissed a stranger.
Me: Madison isn’t a stranger to me.
Sierra: That’s her name?
Me: Yep.
Sierra: Are you and her a thing now?
Me: Nope.
Sierra: Why is that?
Me: Not to be rude, but it isn’t your business.
Sierra: I suppose Madison isn’t, but you are. You know how much I care for you.
Me: I care for you too. You and I have a long history together that I will always cherish.
Sierra: When can I see you?
Me: I don’t know.
Sierra: Now you’re shutting me out because you didn’t catch Madison like you’d hoped to?
Me: Gotta go.
I clicked off my cellphone and dropped it in my passenger seat, still able to see Madison sitting there last night.
Then I noticed a strand of her beautiful, long red hair on the headrest and reached for it.
After twirling it around two of my fingers in the shape of an infinity symbol, I tied it in the middle and stuck it into my wallet.
I’d almost made it to the barn when I saw Hayden coming toward me in his truck. He flashed his lights for me to stop when we reached each other. Once we had, we both lowered our driver’s side windows.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I was about to ask you that question. Where’s Madison?”
“More than likely at the ranch house.”
“How was she feeling this morning?”
“Hungover.”
Hayden chuckled, nodding. “Sometimes, a hangover is worth it.”
“Not to Madison. She regrets getting drunk and is embarrassed. She also regrets and is embarrassed by what she and I did last night that she can’t remember, but I told her about it.”
“You haven’t even told me what y’all did.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“So you didn’t have sex, but did you at least kiss Madison?”
“Twice while we were on the dance floor.”
“And she can’t remember you doing that to her?”
“Nope, and not the other thing we did or that I did to her that I’m not going into any further detail about.”
“Okay, how were those two kisses?”
I huffed, shaking my head. “Un-fucking-believable.”
“Once that gorgeous redhead feels better, what happened last night won’t be such a big deal to her.”
“It always will be.”
Hayden looked over my face. “She’s not going to have anything else to do with you, is she?”
“You would be correct.”
“Brother, that ain’t right. It isn’t like you made her drink as much whiskey as she did.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Do you think she and her daughter will leave the ranch today?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“Want to grab a drink with me after this day is over?”
“Nope, I need to be alone for a while.”
“You’re really crazy about Madison.”
“I damn sure am. She’s an amazing woman, intelligent, feisty, down to earth, easy to talk to, easy to be with, and a hell of a lot of fun.”
“Realistically, did you think you could have a serious relationship with a city girl like her, plus her living in Dallas?”
“I was willing to give it my best shot.”
“You have never fallen for any woman like this.”
“Because none of them were Madison. I’ve got to go.”
“Call me if you need to.”
“I will. Thanks again for helping to get Madison’s car from Midnight Rodeo.”
“No prob. That BMW can fly.”
“What speed did you get it up to?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Bye.”
After feeding Casper a mix of alfalfa and orchard grass, plus some supplements, I began working with my new customer’s two-year-old quarter horse, Maverick, in the corral, first walking him around by the reins. Next, I got on him. He started bucking, but I hung on, and then he settled down.
I worked with him for 30 minutes, focusing on his acceptance of my riding, steering, and stopping him. He was a smart boy and did well with his first lesson. He would have three more this week.
After giving him a 15-minute cool-down walk, I took him back to the barn, removed his saddle and other gear, and gave him a warm, soapy bath to wash the sweat off him. While doing so, I inspected his legs for signs of inflammation. There weren’t any. His hooves were in good shape, too.
Once I’d put him in his stall with some fresh water, I took Casper to the corral to ride him. I hadn’t been on him for long when I noticed Mr. and Mrs. Livingston and a little red-headed girl walking toward the corral. I led Casper in their direction and met them by the gate.
“Good morning, Luke,” Mr. Livingston said, smiling.
“How are you, sir?”
“Fantastic, unlike my youngest daughter. She still isn’t feeling very well.”
“I understand.”
“I really appreciate you taking care of her last night.”
“I was happy to.”
“Luke, this is our grandgirl, Bella,” Mrs. Livingston said, picking her up and holding her on her hip.
I looked at Madison’s mini-me and leaned toward her to shake her hand. “Hi, Bella.”
She smiled. “You have a pretty horse.”
“Thank you.”
“Is he nice?”
“He’s very nice. Would you like to ride him with me for a minute?”
“Yes!”
I looked at the Livingstons. “Are you alright with that?”
They both nodded, excitement in their eyes.
“Mr. Livingston, if you will, hand me Bella over the gate.”
He took her from his wife and held her toward me. She was so petite, as light as a feather, and as beautiful as her mother.
After I sat her on my lap, straddling the saddle with me, I held her with one hand and the reins with my other. “Are you ready?” I asked her.
She nodded, still smiling, and then we rode Casper around the corral at a slow pace.
“Are you having fun, Bella?”
“Yes! I love Casper.”
“So do I. He’s my buddy.”
“Can he be my buddy too?”
“Of course he can.”
I had almost made a full round in the corral, heading back toward the Livingstons, when I looked up and spotted Madison standing next to her parents with her arms folded across her chest.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked when Bella and I reached the gate.
“Having fun with your daughter.”
Madison reached out her arms for her. “Give her to me.”
“No, Mommy!”
I patted her shoulder. “It’s alright, sweetheart. Maybe your mommy will let you do this with me again sometime.”
I lifted her off Casper and me and handed her to Madison. She held her daughter to her and stomped off, heading toward the ranch house.
I looked at her parents. “I apologize if I stepped over the line by taking Bella on a ride,” I told them.
They both shook their heads, Mrs. Livingston saying, “I apologize, Luke, for my daughter’s rudeness. I know she’s hungover, but that’s no excuse for her to act ugly toward you. You’ve been nothing but kind to her. If she weren’t the age she is, I’d get a belt after her.”
“It’s alright, ma’am.”
“No, it isn’t. I’m going to give her a piece of my mind right this second.”
She walked away, leaving her husband and me alone.
“Luke, I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m not worried about it. We all have bad days.”
“After Madison’s mother gets hold of her, she’ll think twice about being rude to you again.”
I gave him a backward smile and nodded. “I’m going to ride Casper a bit more.”
“I’ll let you be then. Thanks for taking my grandgirl on a ride.”
“I hope to do it again. She’s an adorable little angel.”
“She is my pride and joy.”