That sobered him up really quick. “It’s not the worst thing that could have happened.”
“We lost our business,” I grumbled. “Where we once housed ranch hands, we now rent to tourists who want to sneak a peek at our lives and think of us as a circus attraction. I’d say that’s pretty fucking low.”
“We could have lost all the land,” he countered. “I know you didn’t like the plan, but you saved this ranch.”
“I’m not sure Pop sees it that way,” I sighed, leaning against the truck.
“It was his father’s ranch. I’m not sure he’ll ever be okay with what we had to do. But we didn’t have a choice.”
“I keep telling myself that if I had just found another way?—”
“There was no other way,” he argued. “After that last auction, there was no way we could keep going. And the price of feed, equipment, labor?—”
“I know,” I snapped, sighing heavily. “Fuck, I know. I just…”
He nodded, knowing exactly what I felt. “It’s not the same. I get it. But getting pissed about it isn’t going to help anything. You have to look on the bright side of things.”
“Yeah?” I huffed out a laugh. “And what’s that?”
“Well, the hours aren’t as long. You get to sleep an hour later, even if you never do. You still have your house. And this season should be really busy. They’re predicting a shit ton of snow this year. That should help drive rentals, especially with the slopes being so close.”
I knew he was right, but it still cut deeply that everything was changing, and not in my mind for the better. I was the oldest son. I was supposed to guide this ranch into the future, and instead, I drove it into the ground.
“Hey, come on. You have a date with Bailey tonight. Now is not the time for pouting.”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Okay, maybe not pouting, but you definitely don’t look like a man who’s about to go out with one of the hottest women in town.”
I flipped him off, getting in the truck, ready to drive away. He just barely got in the passenger side before I hit the gas and headed back to the main house over the bumpy dirt road.
I purposely drove over every pot hole, making sure the ride was as uncomfortable as possible for him.
“Any chance you could drive around the giant holes in the ground?”
I hit another one hard, smirking when he hit his head against the window.
“Geez, alright. I take it back. You don’t pout. You’re the epitome of a broody bastard!”
I hit the brakes hard just as I pulled up in front of the house, sending him flying into the dash. Shifting into park, I tossed him the keys.
“Thanks for taking care of the wood.”
“Sure. You know me. Always willing to help a brother out.”
I opened the door and got out.
“I’ll be sure to tell my chiropractor the tingling down my spine isn’t that serious!”
I flipped him off and headed for the house to give Pop an update on the day, not that he ever cared much anymore. When the last of the cattle left, so did his fighting spirit.
“The south fence is fixed,” I said, walking up the steps of the porch.
I took a seat in the rocker next to him, taking off my hat and tossing it on the table where Ma had brought out drinks.
He grunted, but then again, that was his response to pretty much anything nowadays.
“I thought we could go look at some horses next week. Clover’s a good horse, but she’s getting a little old.”
