Wade
The morning air is cool and damp as I step out of the barn. The sun is just starting to crest the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of gold and orange. I scan the driveway out of habit, and sure enough, Sutton’s truck is still gone. A flicker of irritation rises in my chest. She’d vanished yesterday without so much as a word, and now she’s off again before the day even starts.
Does she even know that we lost two cows overnight? Two that just showed symptoms yesterday?
Yes, I’m a little irritated. I am worried about her—it’s not like her to ignore my text messages. I knocked on her door last night, but she didn’t answer, so I left food for her on the porch. It looked like she’d tripped over it this morning.
Shaking my head, I turn back to the barn. There’s too much to do to dwell on it. Benny’s already saddling up the horses, and the other guys are checking feed and water. We’ve got fences to mend, cattle to check, and the lingering worry of the sick ones to deal with. It’s a full day ahead, and there’s no roomfor distractions—even if Sutton’s face keeps creeping into my thoughts.
By the time I’ve finished with the morning chores and made my way back to the house for a quick breakfast, her truck is back. Not long after, I spot her out in the pastures, already moving among the cattle with a clipboard in hand. She’s bright-eyed and focused like yesterday’s disappearing act never happened. It’s maddening and impressive all at once.
I grab my hat and head out to meet her, the grass crunching softly under my boots as I approach. She’s crouched beside one of the calves, inspecting it closely while jotting down notes.
“Morning,” I say, my voice steady despite the mix of irritation and admiration swirling inside me.
She glances up, flashing a quick smile. “Morning, Wade.”
“You’re up and at ’em early,” I comment, keeping my tone neutral.
“No rest for the wicked,” she replies with a shrug, standing and brushing off her jeans. “The lab results came back earlier. We’re dealing with bovine respiratory disease.”
“At least we’ve got answers. That’s something.”
“It is,” she agrees, “but this isn’t a textbook case. Some of the symptoms don’t line up perfectly, so I’m not entirely confident the meds will cover everything. Still, it’s the best course of action for now.”
“You’ve already started them on treatment?”
She nods. “Dad’s cattle are already on the meds, and Doc Lucy is hitting the other ranches today. I’ve got your cattle covered. Everyone’s got strict instructions on medications, protocols, and monitoring.”
“So you know that we lost two overnight?”
“Yeah, I was out early and saw them. It’s why I started making phone calls to the lab first thing this morning. This strain of symptoms went faster than the rest, and I want to knowwhy. I took some samples from the deceased, sent them off to the lab as well. I wanted to know if there was something else going on.”
“I appreciate it, Sutton,” I say sincerely. “If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.”
She waves me off. “I’ve got it under control. You’ve got enough on your plate.”
I hesitate, then decide to broach the subject that’s been on my mind since yesterday. “How’d the meeting at the bank go?”
Her expression falters for a split second before she forces a wry smile. “About as good as I expected.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Sutton…”
“It’s fine,” she says quickly, cutting me off. “Dad and I will figure it out. Bishops always do.”
Except you’re going to be a Callahan soon, if I have anything to say about it.
I pause as if I’m frozen. Holding my breath as the realization of my thoughts hit me.
That came out of nowhere.
But did it?
I study her for a moment, noting the tension in her posture despite her casual tone. “If you need help with anything, I’m happy to pitch in. Money, labor, whatever you need.”
She shakes her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she smirks. “Nothing that FeetFinder and OnlyFans can’t fix quickly.”
I blink, caught off guard by her response. “Excuse me?”
