"Like I should have done it years ago," I admit. "The ranch is exactly what we needed, and being twenty minutes away instead of half the country changes everything for our partnership."
Mason nods. "It certainly does."
We reach the barn entrance, flanked by adjoining paddocks where several mares stand, their coats gleaming in the sunlight. Mason leans against the fence, and I join him, both of us assessing the animals with practiced eyes.
"That Paint is out of that stallion we bought from you two years back," Mason notes, nodding toward a leggy mare with a white blaze across her chest. "She's exactly what we hoped for. Strong, sound, and smart enough to handle the pressure of rodeo competition."
I watch the mare move, noting the powerful hindquarters and clean lines. "She's beautiful. Her foals should do well in the circuit."
"What about pairing her with that black stallion you brought down last month?" Mason asks.
"Storm? That could work. The temperaments would balance out well."
Cody straightens from where he's been leaning against the fence. "What if the foal takes after Storm's build instead of hers? He's lighter-boned."
I glance at him, surprised he's thinking that far ahead. "Then you'd have a problem. Her line usually breeds true, though."
"So you'd want to wait and see Storm's first foals before breeding him too much."
"Exactly." I study the kid. "What about the roan mare in the far paddock? What would you pair her with?"
Cody doesn't hesitate. "The sorrel you brought down in January. She needs something to settle her down, and he's steady."
Mason and I exchange a look. That's the same pairing we'd discussed last week.
"What about moving some yearlings over to your place for training?" Mason asks, turning back to me. "Now that you'relocal, it makes sense to use your facilities. You have that new training arena, right?"
"Yeah," I confirm. "It's not getting much use yet, so we might as well put it to work."
Mason grins. "Your grandmother thought of everything, didn't she?"
"She usually does."
Cody wanders over to the fence to check on one of the mares, running a practiced hand along her neck. He glances back at me. "When can I start at your place?"
"Anytime you want," I reply. "Maybe this weekend if your dad can spare you."
"Can I, Dad?" Cody asks.
Mason nods. "As long as you get your homework and chores done first."
We walk back to the main lodge, Mason already pulling out his phone to show me photos from last month's auction. "This three-year-old went for forty-five thousand. His bloodlines aren't half as good as what we're producing."
"We should hit the Fort Worth show in May," I suggest. "Get our names out there with the serious buyers."
"I was thinking the same thing." Mason grins and claps me on the shoulder. "Damn, it's good having you close by. No more of this planning-over-the-phone nonsense."
As we approach the lodge, Alice steps out onto the porch. "You boys want some lunch? I've got barbecue ready."
"Never could turn down your cooking, Alice," I say, earning me a pleased smile.
We settle around the long dining table, and Alice loads my plate with brisket and potato salad. The kitchen smells like smoke and spices, making my mouth water.
"This looks incredible," I say, cutting into the tender meat.
"Wait till you taste it," Burt says, already halfway through his own plate.
Rachel appears in the doorway, tiptoeing in. "She's down. Finally."
