“He’s around. He and Rusty went over the books this morning.”
Stedman straightens his hat. “How’s it looking?”
“Not good,” Topper replies.
Part of me wants to probe and understand what “not good” for the ranch means, but Irene and Allie are both calling my name.
“Morning, Stedman!” Irene waves. “Your turn now, Roxanne.”
“Goose is looking good this morning!” Stedman waves.
“He always is! C’mon, Roxanne,” Irene insists.
I hold up my notebook like a shield. “I’m just here to take notes.”
“Go on now,” Topper says, nudging me. “This is good for you.”
I glance at him. My heart thrums in my ears as I hand my notebook to Topper and slowly step through the gate. The first thing I’m trying to understand about this moment is why is my pulse ticking up?
It’s just a horse, Roxanne.
Irene steps to the side to observe while Beckett waves me over to start our walk. Allie joins Topper and Stedman on the other side of fence. When I take a step toward Goose, he rears his head slightly and takes a step back. He grunts as Beckett strokes his side.
Beckett extends his hand. “It’s okay, he’s getting used to your energy.”
“My energy?” I ask.
“Goose is feeling something from you. You’re holding back and not fully open to this experience.”
This should make for a good piece in my story.He stood there in the golden glow of the morning, giving me a side-eye and calling bullshit on my calm exterior.I had no idea when I got on a plane to Colorado that my biggest critic would be a horse named Goose.
Outstanding.
After a few more rounds of encouragement from Beckett, Goose still doesn’t want to walk with me. I call it a loss and make my exit, but not before thanking Beckett and Irene for their time. Leo lowers his camera and chats with them for a few more moments before waving goodbye.
“Well, that was humiliating,” I say as I close the gate.
“Hey,” Topper says. “Not everyone vibes on the first date.”
“I don’t think there will be a second,” I say.
“He’ll warm up,” Stedman says.
I take my notebook and pen back from Topper. “At least the turkey liked me.”
“That’s a feather in your cap,” Stedman says.
Topper escorts us back to the lodge for a late breakfast and I glance over my shoulder, seeing Goose continue to walk with Beckett. My pride is bruised and yet part of me is determined to get that damn horse to like me. Although, I’m not sure I’m talking about Goose or Firebird Ranch in general.
bump in the night
ROXANNE
The bad news is,I was more despondent than I should be from being rejected by a horse. The good news is, I’m writing well again. Where I used to type a few sentences and delete them, my creative mind is buzzing, and words are flowing.
After another wonderful dinner, where Duke was still curiously absent, I had my first full interview with Georgia. We discussed her time in the Army, her accident, and life after. She was excited to tell me more of her story, which makes me excited to tell the world.
Georgia looks like she’s spent more time on a red carpet than a battlefield—curves that belong in a magazine spread, copper hair that catches the light, hazel eyes that miss nothing. She’s stunning, but it’s not just her beauty that draws people in. It’s her confidence, the way she moves through a room like she’s been through the absolute worst and survived it all with style.
