Finally.
“I guess this means—” I turned to find Forsythe was no longer standing in front of me, but instead already a ways down the path walking towards the barn.
How does he always know how to get under my skin? Ugh!
“Come on, Wimberly, let’s go see Cooper.” The dog yipped as we headed back to the barn, keeping a good distance between Forsythe and myself.
Viper, huh? Does he really think that’s going to bother me? God, what a dick.
Forsythe quietly reached the barn and stepped inside, joining Dallas. Torchy came from inside and made an exasperated face as I approached with Wimberly. “Jeez, you look terrible,” heteased. I rolled my eyes. “I guess that’s to be expected after running into Forsythe. You never did like him, did you?”
“Would you like someone your dad loved more than you?” I looked up at Torchy.
He shrugged. “Can’t say. I didn’t know my daddy. All I know is Mr. Memphis saw potential in him. Maybe it’s ‘cause of how tough and hardworking he is, but there was always something about Forsythe your daddy saw. Something special.” He scoffed. “But hell, I’ve never met such a sour person in my life. Sure, he gets the job done and keeps to himself, but I don't think I've ever even seen him smile.” Torchy’s eyes lightened as I heard heavy footsteps behind me. “Cooper!”
I spun around to see the tall old man standing behind me, wearing a warm smile. His thick, pure-white mustache moved as he spoke. “Well all be, if it isn’t little Lucille Limmerick.” He chuckled. “Long time no see, kiddo.”
I ran towards Cooper, nearly knocking him over as he embraced my hug. “Been a long time, old man.” I squeezed him tighter, burying my face into his dirty plaid shirt. I didn’t expect the wave of emotions to hit me the way they did as I stood there, hugging the closest thing I had to a dad left in this world. Tears swelled in my eyes as my throat stung from the overwhelming wave of nostalgia.
Fuck, pull yourself together, Lucille.
Cooper chuckled, holding me tight. “I know, kid. I know.”
A loud commotion from inside the barn pulled everyone’s focus. We all turned to see Forsythe and Dallas struggling to force a pitch-black bull into the connecting corral. The bull was large and ferocious, kicking and fighting them fiercely like he was still a yearling. His horns were long and stretched far, swinging as the two tried to dodge the pointed tips. It took me a good minute or two before I realized whose bull it was. “Hey, isn’t that?—”
Cooper sighed. “Reaper. Your brother’s bull.” He whistled and tipped his hat, wiping the sweat from his wrinkled forehead. “Damn thing is the spitting image of your daddy’s from back in the day.”
Torchy hopped over the rails and into the corral to help aid the two men. Together, they managed to guide the large, temperamental beast into the corral. I watched as Forsythe held the rope tied around Reaper’s horns with gloved hands, noticing the muscles in his arms bulge as he tightened his grip. It was impressive how strong he was, not even my dad could hold a grown bull back all on his own. While he kept the animal firmly in place, Dallas was inspecting it closely.
“Hey Cooper?” He looked down at me. “What’re they doing with Reaper anyways? He should be in the barn until Boone recovers, not being moved to a new pasture.”
Cooper’s eyes fell. “He’s not being moved to a pasture, Lucille.”
My eyes met his. “Then why is he out in the corral?” Cooper didn’t answer, but deep in his gray eyes, I noticed a hint of something. Something cold. “Cooper?”
“Hey Lucille?” Torchy rushed to me, panting. “Did Ms. Nellie happen to give you Reaper’s paperwork?”
Paperwork? For what?
I looked at Cooper as his head turned away from me. “I got it in the trailer,” he stated before walking off to grab it.
“Torchy, why do you need Reaper’s paperwork?” I asked.
The man wiped his forehead. “‘Cause he’s got a buyer coming today. Didn’t Ms. Nellie tell you?”
My stomach dropped. “No. No, I–I think there’s been a mistake. Reaper isn’t for sale…he can’t be.” I looked at Torchy with wide eyes. “He’s Boone’s bull, and Boone is going to need him when he gets back to riding. He’s not for sale.” Torchy didn’t reply. Cooper walked back and handed the paperwork to him,and I felt an overwhelming amount of emotions bubble in my stomach. “My mom would never allow my brother’s bull to be sold.” I looked up at the old man. “Cooper!” He didn’t speak, so I turned back to Torchy and demanded an answer.
Torchy made a face. “I–I don’t know what to tell you, Lucille. I–I’m just following the boss's orders.” He seemed nervous, as if such an outlandish thought was perfectly normal.
“Whoseorders?” I asked through gritted teeth. Torchy’s eyes flickered back behind him and to Forsythe, now standing just outside the corral. “I see.”
I stomped past the gangly man, seething as I aimed for Forsythe. “Hey you!” He turned to look at me. “Want to tell me what the hell is going on here?” I stopped just inches from him, my nostrils flaring with anger.
The man seemed completely unfazed by my obvious disdain. “Not that it’s really any of your business, but we’re getting Reaper ready. I got a buyer coming and?—”
“None of my business?” I scoffed. “It’smybrother’s bull! And Reaper isn’t for sale.”
Forsythe raised a brow. “As much as I would love to sit here and argue, I got a damn job to do…so just stay out of my way, little viper. And if you got a problem, take it up with Ms. Ne?—”
