Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Damian
I stood on the porch of the main house, coffee mug in hand, watching the sun creep up over the hills.
Red Rock Ranch stretched out in front of me, all fifty thousand acres of it.
Cattle grazed in the distance, white fences cut through the green, and the faint sound of horses nickering came from the barn.
The air smelled like hay and dirt, the way it always did this early, before the heat kicked in.
I took a sip of my coffee, black and strong, and let the quiet settle over me.
Mornings like this were the only time I got to breathe before the day turned into a grind.
“Damian, you gonna stand there all day, or you got plans?” Christian’s voice cut through the stillness.
I turned my head just enough to see him striding up from the barn, his boots kicking up dust. He had a rope coiled over his shoulder, his hat tipped back, and that grin he always wore when he knew he was about to piss me off.
“Plans don’t include listening to you yap,” I said, setting my mug on the railing. “You finish checking the herd in the south pasture?”
He stopped at the bottom of the steps and leaned against the post. “Yeah, they’re a good couple of calves that got tangled in some brush, but I sorted it. You’re welcome.”
I nodded, not giving him more than that. Christian didn’t need praise since he’d just take it as an excuse to slack off later. “Good. We’ve got the vet coming at ten. Make sure the horses are ready.”
“Already on it,” he said, tipping his hat like some cowboy cliché. “Cosmo’s down there sweet-talking the new stable hand into doing half his work.”
I snorted. “Figures. Where is he now?”
“Probably still in the barn, flirting.” Christian climbed the steps and grabbed my mug, taking a swig before I could stop him. “This is cold. You been out here long?”
“Long enough,” I said, snatching it back. “Go get Cosmo. I need him up at the house before the vet rolls in.”
He smirked but didn’t argue, just sauntered off toward the barn, whistling some tune I didn’t recognize.
I watched him go, then headed inside. The main house was big, too big for just the three of us, but it’d been in the family for generations, and now it was ours.
Red Rock Ranch wasn’t just a business. It was a damn legacy, and I’d spent my whole life making sure it didn’t fall apart.
My dad handed me the reins when I was twenty-five, and ten years later, I was still holding on tight.
In the kitchen, I dumped the cold coffee and poured a fresh cup. The place smelled like bacon since Cosmo must’ve cooked before he wandered off. I heard the screen door bang open behind me, and there he was, all charm and easy smiles, his boots leaving faint dirt tracks on the hardwood.
“Morning, boss,” Cosmo said, leaning against the counter. “Christian said you’re summoning me. What’s the crisis?”
“No crisis,” I said, taking a sip. “Vet’s coming. I need you to handle the paperwork. And don’t bullshit him about the feed costs this time.”
He laughed and ran a hand through his dark hair. “That was one time, and it worked. Saved us a couple of grand.”
“Yeah, and almost got us blacklisted,” I said, setting the mug down. “Just stick to the numbers. I’ve got enough to deal with.”
“Like what?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Everything’s running smoothly. Cattle are fat, horses are healthy, and the town’s happy. You’re just looking for something to scowl about.”
I didn’t answer, just gave him a look. Cosmo had a way of smoothing things over, talking to suppliers, charming the locals, and keeping the ranch’s name clean.
But he didn’t get it, not really. Running Red Rock was more than smooth talk.
It was schedules, repairs, weather screwing us over, and a hundred other things he’d never notice until they hit us in the face.
“Fine, I’ll play nice with the vet,” he said, holding up his hands. “But you owe me a beer later. I’ve got a meeting with the feed store guy this afternoon, and he’s a hardass.”
“Deal,” I said. “Just don’t promise him anything we can’t deliver.”
He grinned. “When have I ever?”
“Last month,” I said, deadpan. “You told him we’d throw in a free calf if he cut the price.”
“Okay, fair,” he said, laughing again. “But we still came out ahead.”
I shook my head but didn’t argue. Cosmo was good at his job, even if he drove me up the wall half the time. The door banged again, and Christian stomped in, brushing dust off his jeans. “Horses are set. Vet’s truck just pulled up the drive.”
“Early,” I said, checking the clock. “Good. Let’s get this done.”
We headed outside, the three of us falling into step like we always did. The vet, Doc Hargrove, was climbing out of his pickup, a gray-haired guy with a clipboard and a no-nonsense nod. “Morning, boys,” he said, tipping his hat. “What’s on the list today?”
“Horses first,” I said, leading the way to the barn. “Then the herd. We’ve got a few heads that need shots.”
“Got it,” he said, following me. Christian peeled off to grab the lead ropes, and Cosmo hung back, already chatting up Hargrove about the weather.
I tuned them out, focusing on the barn ahead.
The horses were lined up, snorting and shifting as we walked in.
I grabbed a halter from the wall and handed it to Christian.
“Start with the bay,” I said. “She’s been favoring her left leg.”
He nodded and got to work, leading her out while Hargrove set up his gear.
I stood back, arms crossed, watching them move.
This was my world, Red Rock Ranch, the cattle, the horses, the land.
I’d grown up here, learned to ride before I could read, and took over when Dad’s heart gave out.
Cosmo and Christian had their roles, but I was the one who kept it all together.
Most days, I didn’t mind. It was steady, predictable, mine.
“Damian,” Cosmo called, breaking my focus. “Hargrove’s asking about the new bull. You want to show him?”
“Yeah,” I said, stepping forward. “He’s out in the east pasture. We’ll take the truck.”
We piled into my F-250, Hargrove riding shotgun while Cosmo and Christian squeezed in the back. The dirt road rattled under us as we headed out, past the barns and the grazing cattle. The bull was a big bastard, a Brahma mix we’d bought last month, and I wanted Hargrove’s take on his condition.
“He’s settling in,” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. “But he’s been testy. Charged Christian twice last week.”
“Sounds like fun,” Hargrove said, scribbling on his clipboard. “I’ll check him over. Anything else?”
“Couple of cows due soon,” I said. “Might need you to look at them too.”
“Busy season,” he said, nodding. “You boys keeping up?”
“Barely,” Cosmo piped up from the back. “Damian’s got us running like a damn army.”
“Someone’s gotta,” I said, glancing at him in the rearview. He just grinned, and Christian laughed, elbowing him.
We pulled up to the pasture, and I cut the engine.
The bull was pacing near the fence, snorting like he owned the place.
Hargrove climbed out, and I followed, pointing out the cows I wanted him to check.
Christian hopped the fence to wrangle the bull, and Cosmo stayed by the truck, leaning against the hood like he was on vacation.
“Looks good so far,” Hargrove said after a while, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Bull’s healthy, just ornery. Cows should calve fine.”
“Appreciate it,” I said, shaking his hand. “Send the bill to Cosmo.”
“Hey, wait a minute,” Cosmo said, straightening up. “I’m not the bank around here.”
“You are today,” I said, heading back to the truck. Christian laughed again, clapping Cosmo on the shoulder as we piled in.
The ride back was quiet, just the hum of the engine and the occasional moo from the herd. Hargrove finished his notes, and by the time we dropped him at his truck, the sun was high, beating down on the ranch. I parked by the house and got out, stretching my shoulders.
“Lunch?” Christian asked, already halfway to the porch.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
They went inside, and I hung back, looking out over the land again.
Red Rock was running smoothly, just like Cosmo said.
But smooth didn’t mean easy. There was always something: fences to mend, bills to pay, weather to watch.
I didn’t complain, though. This was my life, and I’d built it. No point in wanting anything else.
I grabbed my mug from the railing and headed in, ready for whatever the rest of the day threw at me.