Chapter 6
There was no denying the calmness that fell around him as quiet as snowfall. Clayton had been apprehensive about saddling the horse and riding around the ranch all day.
Yet it didn’t take long for him to settle into a nice rhythm with the other hands as well as the company he hired to set up the surveillance system that was costing him a fortune. But it was something that should’ve been done years ago.
Time had gotten away from him, so Clayton was surprised when his mother phoned for him to return to the house for Brice.
By the time he arrived, his mother had already given the teen a sandwich and cookies. Brice was downing a bottle of water when Clayton walked into the kitchen. As soon as Brice saw him, he stood up.
“Thank you for the snack, Mrs. East,” the teen said with a bow of his head.
Clayton watched the way his mother’s eyes crinkled at the corners as a bright smile filled her face. “It was my pleasure.”
The teen then turned to him. “I’m ready.”
“Did you finish any homework?” Clayton asked.
“I finished it at school.”
“Then let’s get started.”
They walked out together. As soon as Brice saw the bay Clayton had ridden, he went to it, softly stroking the animal’s neck.
Clayton watched the easy way the teen was around the horse. “Do you ride?”
“I’ve never been around a horse,” Brice replied, a wide smile pulling at his lips when the animal rubbed his head against him.
“You’re a natural.” Clayton should know. He’d seen enough people claim to know how to ride and know nothing.
Brice’s blue eyes met his. “I’ve always loved horses.”
“There are a lot of things around the ranch that we do on horseback, so you’ll have to learn.” Just as he expected, the teen’s eyes lit up at the prospect. “Until then, you’ll use this,” Clayton said and tossed a set of keys Brice’s way before walking away.
Brice caught them easily. After looking longingly at the horse, he followed Clayton. “You’ll really teach me to ride?”
“If you want. My father bought the SxS for my mom when she broke her ankle a few years ago. Many ranches use them instead of horses.”
“I can see why, but I’d prefer the horse.”
Clayton hid his smile as they reached the dark green, two-seat Side by Side that had a small bed in the back for tack. Brice walked around the all-wheel-drive, off-road vehicle, running his hands over the top and inspecting the windshield.
“This is nice,” he said.
“Follow me, but don’t get too close because you’ll spook the horse.”
Brice look affronted that he’d even mention such a thing. “I won’t.”
Clayton turned on his heel and headed back to his gelding. He put his foot in the stirrup and swung his right leg over the saddle before settling in.
“Let’s go, boy,” he murmured to the horse as he moved his hand to the side, guiding the animal to turn to the right.
As he started out, Clayton heard the SxS roar to life. He didn’t look back. Brice was a smart kid. He’d figure it out. Sure enough, moments later, the sound of the engine grew louder as the teen followed.
Clayton took them back out to the team setting up the security system. The way Brice fidgeted nervously was just what Clayton wanted.
“Show me where you got in,” he ordered.
Brice swallowed hard and turned up the collar of his fleece-lined denim jacket. “Yes, sir.”
Clayton mentally added gloves to the list of things he needed to get for Brice. The kid had shown up, but if he wanted Brice to do the work, he would have to supply the accessories.
“Look under the seat of the UTV. There’re some gloves. Find a pair that fits. You won’t be able to use your hands if your fingers are frozen,” Clayton said.
Without a word, Brice did as instructed. He returned, rubbing his gloved hands together. “Thanks. I won’t lose them.”
For some reason, Clayton believed him. “Which direction?”
Since they were on the west side of the property where Clayton saw many opportunities for someone to sneak onto the ranch, he wasn’t surprised when Brice pointed north.
Every ranch had blind spots. And with the various roads in and out of the property leading to various pastures, it would’ve been easy for anyone to get in. Clayton was just surprised it hadn’t happened sooner.
Instead of getting back on the horse, he walked to the UTV and slid into the passenger seat. Brice hesitated for a second before hurrying to follow. The teen’s hands were steady as he drove them to the spot about four miles away.
Clayton got out of the vehicle and stood, staring at the repaired wooden fence. He walked closer and inspected the dirt road that ran parallel to the pasture. There were still some tracks visible, but nothing that stood out.
Still, he jumped the fence and went to take a closer look. Some of the tread marks he recognized as those from the ranch. Too many vehicles had run over the area since the theft for Clayton to be sure of anything.
He walked the space before turning toward the fence and squatting down to look closer at some tracks.
Then he lifted his head and pinned Brice with a look.
The youth’s blue eyes caused him to think of Abby.
The bold, sassy woman had plagued Clayton’s thoughts during the night.
It was really irritating that he couldn’t shake her.
“How many were involved?”
Brice glanced away as he put his hands into the pockets of his coat. “I don’t know.”
Clayton slowly straightened. “The one thing you’ve not done is lie to me. Why start now?”
“Don’t ask me anything about it,” Brice said, his head hanging.
“Why?”
“I can’t say.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both. Please. I’m begging you, leave it.”
There was no denying the distress that colored the teen’s words. It didn’t take a great deal of thinking to conclude that the man or men had threatened Brice.
As much as Clayton wanted answers, it was useless to press Brice now. He’d keep with his original plan and earn the kid’s trust. Once Brice knew Clayton would look after him, then all the secrets would be spilled.
The only snag was that time was of the essence. The cows would start calving soon. And the longer the cattle were away from the ranch, the harder it would be to find them.
Clayton jumped the fence again and walked back to the SxS. They returned to the others, and he put Brice with a few of the older hands that worked the ranch, doing the chores no one wanted to do.
As the UTV disappeared on the way back to the barns, Clayton’s thoughts turned to Abby. Would he see her tonight when he dropped off Brice? He hoped so. Perhaps he’d get out of the truck and go inside the house to make sure he got some face time with the spitfire.
Another hour and a half later, he called it a day. While the workers got into their trucks and drove off, and the ranch hands raced each other back to the barns, Clayton took a leisurely ride.
On the way back, he detoured to a ravine that had been a favorite of his and his brother’s. They’d spent countless hours swimming and fishing and talking.
Clayton stopped the gelding and looked down at the ravine. The last time he’d been there, was the day of Landon’s funeral. He hadn’t returned because it was too painful. And instead of facing things, as soon as Clayton was able, he’d run away.
There was no more running for him.
He turned the horse around and headed back to the ranch as rain began to drizzle. It gathered and dripped from the brim of his cowboy hat. The gelding shook his head to dislodge the drops that fell into his ears.
Clayton didn’t mind the cold or the rain. His russet-colored suede coat was lined with thick wool, as were his gloves. Though he’d fought returning home, he couldn’t deny that he’d always loved the land.
Hard work was as ingrained in him as saying grace before a meal. Taking care of the land, the horses, the cattle, and even the people who worked there was something he relished.
But it was never meant to be his.
It had been meant for Landon.
Yet everything that stretched around him would someday be his. Clayton wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He didn’t want to let his parents down—or Landon, for that matter—but it didn’t feel right.
By the time he reached the barn, the drizzle had turned into a shower. He heard Brice in the tack room, asking the older hands questions as he worked.
Clayton dismounted and walked the gelding to his stall. He removed the saddle and the bridle before dumping feed into a feeder. Then he began to brush the horse down with long, slow strokes.
He glanced over when he heard Brice walk up. “How’s it been going?”
“It’s awesome,” the youth said with a bright smile.
Clayton knew the older men had given Brice the dirtiest, toughest jobs, and if the teen was still smiling after, then there was hope for him. “Glad to hear it.”
“I can’t imagine growing up with all of this.”
“It’s beautiful, I’ll grant you that. But it’s work. Lots of work.”
Brice lifted his head to look at the top of the barn.
Then he sighed as he lowered his face to Clayton.
“I know I screwed up, and I know you’re giving me a second chance.
I could say thank you ever day, but Abby taught me that actions speak louder than words.
I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth that second chance. ”
“Good,” Clayton said and walked from the stall, closing the door behind him before sliding the bolt in place to lock it.
Brice cleared his throat and shifted his feet nervously. “I’m hoping that after I’ve worked off my debt—which I fully understand will be years—that you might hire me.”
Now that surprised Clayton. He cocked an eyebrow at the teen. “You’ve worked here one day. Not even a full day, I might add. You may very well change your mind after a weekend.”
“No way,” Brice said with a shake of his head. “Abby always said that if you find an occupation that makes you happy, you should hold onto it with both hands, regardless of what it is. This,” Brice said, waving his arms around to encompass the ranch, “makes me happier than I’ve ever been.”
There was a lot about his words and actions while speaking of the ranch that reminded Clayton of Landon. “Abby is a smart woman.”
“Oh, you’ve no idea,” Brice said with a chuckle.
Clayton could see the love the teen had for his sister. The siblings might have endured hardships, but they were close, their love holding them together.
“Abby has always been there for me and Caleb. Whatever we needed, she somehow found a way to get it for us.” The smile faded. “I wanted to do something for her. Instead, I screwed it all up.”
“Nothing illegal is good. Remember that. Abby just wants you safe, happy, and loved. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who wants things.”
Brice shrugged. “Everyone wants things. Abby keeps it hidden, but I wanted her to be able to open a present this Christmas that wasn’t something from around the house we wrapped just so she’d have something to open.”
Coming from wealth, Clayton couldn’t imagine what the three siblings went through. Though he should just let it go, something within him refused to.
“Neither you or Caleb will have to do that this year. You’ll make your sister something right here on the ranch.”
Brice’s blue eyes widened. “That would be awesome, Clayton. Thank you.”
He slapped the boy on the back. “Come on. The day is over. Abby will no doubt want you back home.”