“So you took up a challenging sport to move past the most challenging life circumstance in order to live a normal life?”
He nods. “That sounds like me, yep. I really wanted you to see me in the ring. You had asked before, and I never gave you a complete answer about the buckle. I wasn’t quite ready to then.”
“What changed?”
“You, Rhett. You’ve changed everything.”
We brush Cherry together and pack up the trailer. Both of us remain quiet, but touch each other every time we pass or when our hands are close.
My name is called for me to return to the chutes for the final round of the bronc riders, and I almost don’t want to go. I want to stay with Diamond. He knows that, too.
“I’ll be in the stands, cowboy. Go win this thing.” He kisses me hard before pushing me away. “We’ll celebrate tonight.”
“Damn right we will. I’m winning this for you, beautiful.”
And I do.
Housewarming parties are just an excuse to make loads of food and drink more than you should on a random night. It’s like the holidays, but you do it whenever you want instead of the calendar saying when.
I’ve never smiled and laughed as much as I have tonight, but I need a bit of quiet from the chaos. Stepping out the front door with Tater at my heels, I walk over to the fence of Wilbur’s and now Cherry’s pasture. After clicking my tongue, both horses exit the barn and walk towards me.
“Great place, isn’t it, buddy?” He huffs and takes the offered apple as Cherry nudges him out of the way. “Even got you a girlfriend for the new house. That’s cool, right?”
Cherry takes the apple I offer her, and Wilbur sticks his neck closer, ruffling my hair with his breath as he nips at my shoulder. “It’s just a T-shirt, buddy. Be careful. The only bite marks I need on me aren’t from you, okay?”
Wilbur has always been an affectionate horse. If he had arms, I’m sure he’d hug me. Tater barks at him, and he drops his head. With Wilbur at Hunter’s for a few months, Tater hasn’t had as much time to play with him. He chases her, and she loves it.
Leaning against the fence, I watch my horse and dog play like goofs. Cherry still isn’t sure what to think of Tater, but I think she’ll play eventually, too. She loves Wilbur already, and I don’t know why that makes me smile so much, but it does.
“Rhett? Can I join you?”
Turning to find Diamond’s dad, I pat the top of the fence next to me. “Pull up and lean, Will.”
He laughs as he settles next to me.
“Great place. Great party, too.”
“Thank you. Your son organized most of it. I just cooked.”
Will hums and shifts to face me. “I never got the chance to thank you. You make my son happy. Happier than he’s been in years. That means a lot to me.”
“Well, he makes me happy, too. I should thank you for raising him. He’s…I love him.”
“I know you do.” He turns back to the pasture where Tater still races like a demon around Wilbur. “Your horses get along well. Ilike that. It’s not a traditional human family, but the horses and Tater are your children, right? That’s how it feels?”
“It’s a lot like that, yes. I’ve never had children, only pets. Tater is the first dog I’ve ever had, and since I raised her, I guess she’s my kid.”
“Diamond loves that dog. We never had pets when he was a kid. It was just too much to take on.” He clears his throat. “You’ve given him more than you realize, Rhett. I just wanted to tell you that. He’s always had the romantic dream of marriage, kids, and a picket fence, you know? When he was diagnosed, he had his dreams lined up only to get ripped out in the worst way. It’s taken him a long time to allow himself to dream again.”
Will and I have had deep talks before, usually about sustainable produce and tomato grafting. Nothing has been this personal, though.
“I wasn’t supposed to love him, or anyone, really. I didn’t want to get hurt again. The last time broke me so hard I thought I’d never be myself again.”
In the moonlight, Will’s lips twitch into a smile.
“My son is very convincing. He gets that from me.”
I chuckle. “Believe me, I know.”
