I must admit that I’m also excited to see more of the ranch– the mountains, the sky– all of it!
Of which I will have the pleasure of viewing in wet clothing.
But I don’t care.
Except… After buttoning my favorite True Religion jeans up, I wander into Tucker’s closet and pull out one of his work shirts.
It smells like Tucker. It looks cute. And best of all, it’s dry! Back in the bathroom, I pull my hair up into a pony and check out my butt. Yep, this is a good look for me.
An old Denver Bronco Baseball cap hangs on the wall, and I decide it’ll work to keep the sun off my face. Damp socks– because Tuckers are too big– paired with damp boots and I’m good to go.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tucker
Not a goodday.
Sometimes I just want to chuck everything. My birthright, my legacy.
This ranch.
My family.
I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna do about Cassidy. For the past few years, she’s just kind of been there. I figured she spent so much time with the kids because she liked them and she’s good friends with Jessamine. But after Colt’s comments yesterday and Isabella’s reaction last night, I’m not so sure.
Should have nipped this in the bud a long time ago.
I can’t let it fuck things up with Isa.
Last night.
She’s a revelation to me.
Proposing after knowing her for just seven days was the most impulsive– some might say reckless– thing I’ve done since before I met Lenora. And I admit. I’ve had a few doubts while we were apart.
Little ones though.
Tiny critters.
Now that she’s here, I know it’s the smartest decision of my life.
She brings me back to life. Sexually, Jesus, yes, but emotionally too. I feel like I haven’t felt anything, good or bad in forever.
Shit, since Lenora passed.
Maybe that’s why I coasted along and allowed Cassidy to spend so much time with the boys.
Dad-blame it, I’ve screwed things up bad. And the more I think on it, the crappier I feel.
My day goes downhill when Colt and I come across another section of downed fence. If we’d stayed out a little later last night– not rushed to get back– we would have fixed this one up.
But since we didn’t, five of our cattle slipped out and got caught in the culvert. Fucking five head of cattle gone because I couldn’t wait to get back to the house last night. Colt hasn’t said anything, but I know he’s thinkin’ it.
I’m not a sentimental man, but financial loss aside, I hate like hell to see unnecessary loss of life.
By late morning, I’m fixin’ to call it a day when a text comes in from Levi saying he’s found more downed fence. “Colt!” I holler. “We gotta head down to the south ninety. Levi says we got more sections out over there.”
Colt throws his hammer on the ground and I feel the same way. I’m just putting my tools away when the sound of an engine signals an approaching vehicle– one of our trucks.
