Twenty minutes later we pull into the wildlife center parking lot and connect with Red’s old rodeo friend, Justice. The moment the two men see each other, they slam together in a big bear hug, the sight warming my heart.
I’ve known Red for over twenty years, but his rodeo life isn’t something I know much about other than the stories he has shared, and whatever tales Anna would tell me about on our weekly phone calls when they were on the road.
After retiring along with the Graham brothers, I always wondered if he’d want to leave the rodeo in his rearview mirror. But when he started the Bull Stud with the plan to give retired and unwanted rodeo animals a good retirement and breed future champions, I realized that the rodeo would always be a part of his life.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Red Grayson,” Justice beams, looking him up and down. “Bit more gray in your hair, but you’re lookin’ well. Retirement suits you.”
“Likewise, Justice,” Red responds, clapping a hand on his friend’s back. “Although hold on off the gray hair comments, you’re almostallsilver there now, old friend.”
I stand off to the side giving the two friends their time together.
It’s a side of Red I don’t often see these days and it gives me hope that with Wyatt gone, the now empty-nester won’t just stay at home on the ranch and wallow. Maybe he’ll start thinking about what comes next in his life like I’ve started to do lately.Then again, the idea of him moving on without me makes me feel weird too…
“Is this your new partner? Good on you, buddy. Anna would never want you to be alone forever, you know?”
Now this is awkward…
Red chuckles and shakes his head, walking over to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “This is my best friend, Mags. She’s as much of a workaholic as I am, so when I had to drop Wyatt at the airport, I figured we’d turn this into a road trip slash vacation and make the most of it.”
"Best friend, huh? Lucky bastard," Justice says, holding out his hand to shake mine. “The name’s Justice.”
“Hey. I’m Mags. I’m the one who tries to keep Red out of trouble these days,” I answer.
Justice looks between the two of us before fixing on Red. “Yousureyou’re just friends?”
Red rolls his eyes. “Yep. She was Anna’s and has been a rock for me and Wy ever since her passin’.” He looks down at me with soft warm eyes that make me want to sag against him but alsorun for the hills.Because what the hell is wrong with me right now?
I may be acting normal with Red, but on the inside, I’m still trying to work out what the hell happened yesterday. We almostkissed!It’s more than that though, because here I am pretending like I’ve got my act together when really, I’m lonely, and now confused.
Justice doesn’t seem to be swallowing the ‘friends’ line but he lets it go. “Tell me, then. What have you been up to? Still got that rundown ranch you bought with Rhett and his brothers?”
“Sure do,” Red replies, puffing out his chest. “Not so run down now either. We’ve all been workin’ hard to replant the mountain’s slopes and repair all the equipment and fences. We’ve got it lookin’ real good now. We’ve started a bull stud too, using retired champions from the circuit.”
Justice’s eyes widen and fill with pride. He reaches up and rests his big hand on Red’s shoulder, staring deep. “You’re a good man, Red Grayson. Those animals give everythin’ for the rodeo, and now, with all of y’all doin’ what you’re doin’ for them, they’ll have another purpose.”
“Yeah, gettin’ lots of lovin’ and gettin’ fat on my land,” Red muses, making us all laugh.
“So, what brings you out this way? You just passin' by then," Justice asks.
“Headin’ to Ninilchik for the event this weekend.”
“Nice. Should be a good one from what I’ve heard. If you’ve got time, you should come check out the wildlife center. I'm just about to lead a tour. You two could tag along and then afterward,maybe you and I can share some stories with Mags here about life on the rodeo tour," Justice looks over to me and winks.
Red groans before shaking his head at us. “Not sure I’m goin’ to like any tall talesyoumight tell her about me, Jus. Not goin’ to say no to a private tour though.” Red looks down at me. “That sound OK with you, darlin’?”
I flush and have to quickly school my features because something is definitely wrong with me. Red Grayson has been calling me darlin’ for years and it’s never made me feel butterflies or blush like a teenager.What is happening to me?
"Yeah,” I say shakily, clearing my throat. “I mean, yep. Lead the way.” Thankfully I sound a lot more confident than I feel inside.
Red eyes me suspiciously. "You sure? We don't have to stay long if you want to hit the road. I was plannin’ on drivin’ the rest of the way anyway so you can rest.”I swear this man is on to me.
“I’m fine, Red. I promise,” I say, looking him dead in the eye so he’ll believe me. “Let’s do it.”
Fifteen minutes later, Justice stands in front of a group of eight tourists from Taiwan with Red and I dawdling at the back of the group.
I look at the brochure in my hand. “This place is amazin’,” I say. “It’s like a wildlife zoo but without cages. The animals are free to roam and live like they’re out in the open, just without havin’ to worry about food or care.”
“I thought you’d like it. It’s no bull stud and rescue like we’re tryin’ to build, but it’s inspirin’ nonetheless. It’s the perfect kind of place for a man like Justice to land, that’s for sure.”
