“Down here.” Jack’s voice came from the back of the barn. “Come on back.”
They took him at his word and walked down the aisle, then down the ramp to where Jack’s voice talked softly. Caleb grinned when he spotted the ranch foreman muttering to a blue roan horse as he clenched up the saddle. “Hey.”
“I saddled Trudy for you.” Jack nodded to where the horse he’d used a couple of times before was cross-tied outside a stall. “I didn’t know how well your lady could ride, so I figured Bluey was a safe bet.” He smiled at Rose. “Bluey is almost as old as me, but she’ll look after you as long as you treat her right.”
“I know enough to stay on,” Rose replied. “As long as she isn’t going to think she’s a rodeo bronc, I think I’ll be okay.” She reached out her hand but paused before she touched her. “Can I pet her?”
“Sure, you can.” Jack stuck his hand in his pocket and handed Rose something. “If you give ol’ Bluey treats, she’ll be your best friend.”
Caleb watched for a few minutes as Rose made friends with the horse. Once he was sure she wasn’t afraid and was comfortable, he touched her arm. “I’m just going to check on Trudy; then, as soon as you’re ready, we’ll head out.”
Rose’s answering smile hit him right in the chest, and he had to drag his attention away from her when Jack spoke to him.
“Where are you headed?”
Caleb started toward Trudy. “I was thinking we might head up to the spring if you think it’s not too rough for the horses at this time of year.” He knew Trudy could make it; he’d been up there with her before they’d left for Draven’s wedding in California.
“It should be okay. I had the boys drop some hay up there yesterday, so there’s fodder for the horses while you have your picnic.”
“Awesome.” He went through the motions of checking his saddle and Trudy’s feet, just like Jack had taught him to.
“I’ll make a cowboy out of you yet.” Jack’s approval told him he’d come a long way since the green horseperson but weary soldier who’d arrived here after Dalton had recruited him. “Might even poach you from the other side, given half a chance.”
“Don’t say that too loud, or Dalton will fire you without a second thought.” He didn’t think that would ever happen. Dalton and Jack had a mutual respect for each other, and the ranch foreman was damn good at his job.
“He could try.” Jack snorted. “But then he’d have to shovel the shit and deal with the vets and foaling in the middle of the night.”
Caleb knew doing those things would not bother their boss at all, but still, it was fun to picture it in his mind’s eye. “What do you think the weather is going to do?”
“It’s been weird,” Jack admitted. “But I think you should be okay as long as you’re back before dark.” He entered the arena and went to the gates, keeping it separate from another corral, to look at the sky. “Yeah, it smells like snow, but I think it’s a bit off yet.”
Caleb trusted Jack’s opinion on the weather more than he did all the apps online or the weatherman. There was something about an old man who spent most of his days outdoors to be able to give an accurate prediction of what Mother Nature was going to throw at them.
Jack lifted his hat off his head and resettled it. “The weather can change on a dime at this time of year, though, so if you need it, there’s a line shack about half a mile from the springs.” Jack said. “If something changes for the worse, go there.”
He didn’t remember seeing a line shack up there. “Where is it?”
“Go around the rocks at the head of the spring and head straight for the trees. It’s just inside the tree line,” Jack said. “It’s stocked, but just in case you need more wood, it’s then the shed at the back has a bunch of it. Just refill what you use. You’ll find a chainsaw and an axe inside the door on the wall. The generator should have fuel in the red jerry cans, too. If you use any, let me know so I can send more out there in case the boys need it later in the year.”
“I can do that. Thanks, Jack.” He fixed his ruck onto his back, unclipped Trudy, and led her to Rose. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
He gave her a boost into the saddle and reached for a spare lead rope, just in case Rose needed some help. “Make sure you duck as we go out the door,” he warned and headed for the yard. While he got in the saddle, Jack adjusted Rose’s stirrups, and they were on their way. “Happy?”
“It’s like riding in a rocking chair.” Rose grinned at him. “I’m not really sure what to do with all the parts of the saddle, but it’s comfy.”
“Yeah.” Caleb watched her carefully to make sure she was handling being on a horse okay before he started pointing out things. “See the eagle?”
“Wow.” Rose tilted her head up to the sky. They paused to watch the bird in flight before clicking to the horses and moving on again. Mule deer, a fox, cows, everything drew Rose’s attention, and he loved listening to her chatter as they moved along at a slow pace.
It was odd seeing the ranch through fresh eyes—her eyes. Caleb could admit to himself that he’d lived here long enough he was taking everything for granted. How long had it been since he’d stopped and just looked at the view? Or how long since he’d just taken a day to ride just for the fun of it and not to escape the demons that often haunted his sleep? Way too long, he decided; it had been way too long.
“Caleb?”
He glanced at her. “Yeah?”
“Are you going to tell me what happened when you left earlier?”
