Chapter 3
The drive to Lazy Fork Ranch takes me through rolling hills dotted with live oaks and fields of bluebells just beginning to show their spring colors.
I notice them this time. The wildflowers.
The way the morning sun catches dew still clinging to the grass.
I've driven this road more times than I can count, but always with my mind on trailer hookups, delivery schedules, and return routes. By now, I’m usually planning the drive back to Kentucky.
But not today. For once, my truck bed is empty, there’s no paperwork on the passenger seat, and I don’t have a mental checklist of which horses need what when I get there. It’s just me driving to my sister's ranch to visit.
The white gate stands open, and I guide my truck down the long drive toward the massive main lodge that dominates the property.
Stone and timber construction rises three stories high, looking like three double-story houses mashed together, connected by a wrap-around balcony circling the entire second floor.
Behind the lodge, the barns and paddocks stretch across acres of prime grazing land, disappearing into the rolling hills where cattle and horses graze in small clumps across fenced pastures that seem to go on forever.
Alice Freeman appears on the porch before I even cut the engine, her silver hair catching the morning sun and her smile as welcoming as ever.
Burt emerges from the main barn, wiping his hands on a rag as he crosses the ground in long strides.
His weathered face creases into a grin beneath his ever-present Stetson, and he raises a hand in greeting.
"Charlie Hayden, as I live and breathe," Alice calls out, already coming down the steps with the quick, sure movements of someone who's never learned to slow down.
"It's about time you visited." She pulls me into a hug that smells like cinnamon and coffee, her arms squeezing tight enough that I have to brace myself.
"Alice, it's great to see you," I reply, returning the embrace.
Burt reaches us, extending his hand with the firm shake of a man who's spent his life working the land. "I heard you got the last of your horses in. How'd they take to the new place?"
"They're all settling in as if they'd been there all along," I answer. "Your recommendation on Wade Faulkner was spot on. He's got a way with the animals and the hands that makes the entire operation run smoother than I ever expected."
"Wade's good people," Burt agrees, his thick Texan drawl warming the words. "I've known him since he was training his first horse. Has your grandmother been treating him right?"
I grin. "She gave him a raise, upgraded his cabin, and redesigned the tack room. According to Wade, she also informed him he's been storing feed wrong for twenty years."
Alice laughs. "That sounds like Eleanor. I need to get over there for a visit now that she's recovered from the move. How is she doing?" Concern fills her expression, the lightness giving way to the look of someone who's watched a friend fight through something hard.
"She's thriving," I answer. "The move energized her in a way I haven't seen in years. Seems to have given her a purpose and a project to sink her teeth into. She's got the household running like clockwork, and I swear she looks ten years younger than she did when we were still in Kentucky."
"That's wonderful to hear." Alice links her arm through mine and steers me toward the lodge. "Now come on inside. Rachel's got Evie at the table for a snack, and Mason's checking on the new arrivals in the south barn."
The central heart of the lodge stretches up two stories, with soaring ceilings and a massive stone fireplace dominating the great room. Through the windows, I can see small cabins scattered between oak trees in the distance.
Rachel glances up from the kitchen table where she's attempting to convince my niece that her peanut butter crackers are for more than just play.
"You made it," she announces, standing to greet me.
I hug my twin, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I told you I'd be here. How's my favorite niece?"
"Uncle Charlie!" Evie scrambles down from her chair and launches herself at my legs before I can take another step. "Momma said you were coming, but it took forever."
I laugh and scoop her up, settling her on my hip despite the peanut butter smeared on her fingers. "Forever, huh? Well, I'm here now, Button."
She pats my cheek with one sticky hand, leaving a trail of crumbs. "Did you bring your horses? Daddy said you have lots and lots."
"I sure do. Maybe I'll take you to see them this week."
Her eyes go wide. "Can I ride one?"
"We'll see what your momma says about that."
Evie twists to look at Rachel, her dark curls bouncing. "Momma, can I ride Uncle Charlie's horses?"
Rachel shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "We'll talk about it later, baby girl. Let Uncle Charlie get settled first."
"But—"
"Later," Rachel repeats, and Evie huffs but accepts the verdict, turning her attention back to me with the rapid subject changes only a three-year-old can manage.
"Grandma Alice made cookies," she informs me, a twinkle of mischief in her solemn dark eyes. "The ones with chocolate."
The back door opens, and Cody Freeman walks in with a feed bucket in one hand and his phone in the other.
He's shot up since I last saw him at Christmas, now standing nearly as tall as his father, with the rangy build of a teenager still growing into his frame.
His dark hair flops into eyes that brighten the moment he spots me.
"Hey, Uncle Charlie." Cody sets the bucket by the door and crosses the kitchen with the measured stride of a young man who's spent years working a ranch. He extends his hand, and I shake it firmly.
"Cody. You've grown a bit since I saw you last."
"Dad keeps saying I'm going to outgrow him by summer." Cody pulls back with a half-grin. "Did you get the last of the horses settled?"
"I brought the final trailer in yesterday. Colby and his mares are already acting like they own the place."
"That stallion always had an attitude." Cody leans against the counter, arms crossed. "I've been keeping an eye on that two-year-old you sent down last month. The sorrel with the white socks? Dad's been working with her, but she's got a stubborn streak."
"That's the bloodline. Her dam was the same way—stubborn as the day is long, but once she decided to cooperate, she was one of the smartest horses we ever raised.
" I study my nephew, noting the confidence in his stance, the way he watches the horses with the same attention I've seen in seasoned trainers.
"You've been watching her behavior with the herd? "
"Yeah. She's been testing the pecking order, but she's smart about it. Picks her battles." Cody shrugs. "I figured that's a good sign for her temperament long-term."
I nod, impressed. It's exactly the type of observation that matters when evaluating breeding stock. "I could use someone with your eye when I'm assessing new prospects. You interested in putting in some hours at my ranch?"
Cody straightens, and though he tries to play it cool, I can see the eagerness underneath. "Yeah. Just let me know when."
"We'll work out a schedule. I want your read on some yearlings. We need to determine which ones have the temperament for competition."
Mason appears in the doorway, his large frame filling the space, and grins at the sight of me with his son. "I see Cody already tracked you down. He's been checking the driveway every ten minutes."
"I have not," Cody mutters, but his ears go red.
I shake Mason's hand, the grip firm as always. "Good to see you, man."
"Likewise. Come on, I want to show you the new setup we've got in the south barn. I've got those four mares ready for breeding season, and I want your opinion on the rotation."
We leave Rachel fussing over Evie and head out through the back, Cody falling into step beside us. The morning sun warms my shoulders as we walk toward the sprawling barn complex, and the scent of horses and hay fills my lungs.
"So how's it feel to be permanently in Texas?" Mason asks as we walk.
"Like I should have done it years ago," I admit. "The ranch is exactly what we needed, and being twenty minutes away instead of half the country changes everything for our partnership."
Mason nods. "It certainly does."
We reach the barn entrance, flanked by adjoining paddocks where several mares stand, their coats gleaming in the sunlight. Mason leans against the fence, and I join him, both of us assessing the animals with practiced eyes.
"That Paint is out of that stallion we bought from you two years back," Mason notes, nodding toward a leggy mare with a white blaze across her chest. "She's exactly what we hoped for. Strong, sound, and smart enough to handle the pressure of rodeo competition."
I watch the mare move, noting the powerful hindquarters and clean lines. "She's beautiful. Her foals should do well in the circuit."
"What about pairing her with that black stallion you brought down last month?" Mason asks.
"Storm? That could work. The temperaments would balance out well."
Cody straightens from where he's been leaning against the fence. "What if the foal takes after Storm's build instead of hers? He's lighter-boned."
I glance at him, surprised he's thinking that far ahead. "Then you'd have a problem. Her line usually breeds true, though."
"So you'd want to wait and see Storm's first foals before breeding him too much."
"Exactly." I study the kid. "What about the roan mare in the far paddock? What would you pair her with?"
Cody doesn't hesitate. "The sorrel you brought down in January. She needs something to settle her down, and he's steady."
Mason and I exchange a look. That's the same pairing we'd discussed last week.
"What about moving some yearlings over to your place for training?" Mason asks, turning back to me. "Now that you're local, it makes sense to use your facilities. You have that new training arena, right?"
"Yeah," I confirm. "It's not getting much use yet, so we might as well put it to work."
Mason grins. "Your grandmother thought of everything, didn't she?"
"She usually does."
Cody wanders over to the fence to check on one of the mares, running a practiced hand along her neck. He glances back at me. "When can I start at your place?"
"Anytime you want," I reply. "Maybe this weekend if your dad can spare you."
"Can I, Dad?" Cody asks.
Mason nods. "As long as you get your homework and chores done first."
We walk back to the main lodge, Mason already pulling out his phone to show me photos from last month's auction. "This three-year-old went for forty-five thousand. His bloodlines aren't half as good as what we're producing."
"We should hit the Fort Worth show in May," I suggest. "Get our names out there with the serious buyers."
"I was thinking the same thing." Mason grins and claps me on the shoulder. "Damn, it's good having you close by. No more of this planning-over-the-phone nonsense."
As we approach the lodge, Alice steps out onto the porch. "You boys want some lunch? I've got barbecue ready."
"Never could turn down your cooking, Alice," I say, earning me a pleased smile.
We settle around the long dining table, and Alice loads my plate with brisket and potato salad. The kitchen smells like smoke and spices, making my mouth water.
"This looks incredible," I say, cutting into the tender meat.
"Wait till you taste it," Burt says, already halfway through his own plate.
Rachel appears in the doorway, tiptoeing in. "She's down. Finally."
"I swear that girl fights sleep like it's her sworn enemy," Alice observes, pulling out a chair for Rachel.
Rachel sinks into it with a grateful sigh. "She gets that from her daddy."
Mason snorts. "Nice try, Princess. We both know how much I love my sleep."
Alice passes me the coleslaw. "So, Charlie, Rachel mentioned you wanted to explore more of Wildflower Valley. Makes sense to learn the area now that you're here to stay."
"That's the plan," I admit. "I haven't had time yet with all the moving and settling in."
"You'll like Stone Creek," Rachel says. "It's a cute town, and it has some great local spots."
"The feed store's got the best prices in the county," Burt adds. "And the hardware store owner, Bill, knows everything about ranch equipment. He’s a good man to know."
"I saw some of the town when we were closing on the ranch, but I didn't get any sightseeing in."
"I could take you tomorrow if you're available," Rachel offers. "Maybe walk around the downtown area, introduce you to some locals. It'll go a long way toward getting your bearings."
Mason nods his approval. "Good idea. You'll want to meet some of your neighboring ranchers. There are a couple who are big-time cattlemen."
"I'd like that," I agree, grateful for the offer. Having my sister show me around will be a hell of a lot easier than trying to figure it out on my own.
After lunch, I spend another hour with Cody walking through the paddocks, watching how the young man assesses the horses.
Cody points out subtle details in gait and temperament that show he's been paying attention during his summers in Kentucky, and I make mental notes about which of my own yearlings might benefit from Cody's steady eye.
As the afternoon wears on, I decide to head home. Rachel walks me out to my truck, one hand resting on her belly.
"Are you doing okay?" I ask.
"More than okay," she answers. "I get tired sometimes, but I'm thrilled."
I pull her into a gentle hug. "I'm glad, Sis. That's all I want for you."
"Same goes for you," Rachel replies. "I know the move was more about business than anything else, but I'm happy you're here."
"Yeah, me too." The words come out easily, and I pause with my hand on the truck door. I glance back at Mason and Cody walking toward the barn, at Rachel beside me, at the rolling pastures to the east. Something settles in my chest, a feeling a lot like belonging.
"So, tomorrow morning?" Rachel asks. "I can pick you up around ten. We'll do a tour of town, grab some lunch at the diner, and then swing by the Willow Sage Winery. Mason and I used to go there for date nights before the pregnancy. I think you'll enjoy it."
"Sounds good."
I climb into my truck and start the engine, raising a hand in farewell. As I pull away from the Lazy Fork Ranch, my mind wanders to a woman with blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and enough attitude to launch a missile. A smile tugs at my mouth at the thought that maybe I’ll run into her soon.
Tomorrow can't come fast enough.