Chapter 1
Junior
I was dog ass tired and more homesick than I’d ever been in my life. Thank god this was the last stop before I could head back to Blackthorne and Cherish Springs. The sooner these next couple weeks went by, the better.
I drove through the entrance to Wild Vista Ranch, and a half smile tugged at my lips. At least I was only a half day’s drive from home. Maybe I’d take a day and visit this weekend. From what I understood about this job, I’d only be needed Monday through Friday.
The sprawling hills were the first thing I noticed. I’d only driven through the middle of Texas, or Hill Country as it was known, a handful of times. Still, Saddlehorn had to be right in the middle of one of the prettiest stretches of land in the state. I did have a soft spot for Cherish Springs, but I couldn’t deny that we didn’t quite get these views over right at the edge near Louisiana.
I turned toward the owner’s residence. Dad had told me to try there first before I went looking for Carl Davis anywhere else on the property. Apparently, he didn’t spend half his days in the barn or the stables like the majority of my family did.
The house in front of me wasn’t anything fancy. Not like Momma D and Pappi’s house, yet I liked it right away. If I were ever to build one of my own I’d probably go for something like this. I mean, I spent most of my hours riding the farm and working with the horses. The only real thing I needed a house for was sleep, and there was always a couch in the stables. So maybe not even that.
I parked my truck right out front and hopped down. I walked around to the back of the horse trailer to make sure that Iron Rocket was good. I passed a few treats through the bars and gave him a pat on the head.
“We’re almost done.” I rubbed down his neck.
He nodded as if he too was ready to be home, and I gave him one more treat before I walked up the small set of stairs and knocked on the door.
A curvy woman who looked to be around my mother’s age, maybe a little older, came to the door. She had a welcoming smile, and I returned the look without even thinking.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Carl Davis.” I removed my hat and waited.
“Oh.” Her eyes went as big and round as my grandmother’s biscuits. “You must be Julius’s boy.” Her smile got wider.
“Yes, ma’am.” Of course she knew who I was. That was what happened when your family was one of the oldest Black rodeo families. Everyone knew you without ever really knowing you at all.
“Come on in.” She stood back so I could enter. “I’m Carl’s wife, Lucinda. He’s in the kitchen finishing up lunch.”
“Good to meet you.” I stepped inside. “And I’m sorry about the interruption.” I thought I had gotten here at the perfect time so I wouldn’t pull anyone away from something.
“You’re fine.” She led me through the house and into the kitchen. “Carl, look who’s here,” she said as soon as we crossed the threshold.
Carl looked up from his meal and greeted me with the same sort of warm smile. “Good lord, you look just like your daddy.” He shook his head.
“Thank you.” I’d been told that a few times, but not from someone who had known my father when he was young and had never set eyes on me.
“I swear. No wonder they named you after him.” He laughed.
“That and I was the first.” I lifted one of my shoulders and let it fall. “Most everyone just calls me Junior.” I couldn’t remember the last time anyone called me Julius. That was my dad.
“Well, welcome, Junior.” Carl stood and came over to shake my hand.
“Thanks for having me.”
“Sit.” Ms. Lucinda was already putting a plate of food in front of one of the empty chairs at the table. Dear Lord, she would get along with every woman in my family easily.
I knew if my grandmother were here she would smack me for what I was about to say, but I went ahead anyway.
“Thank you, but I’m not hungry.” I told her. “It was a long drive, and I stopped on the way.”
“Of course.” She nodded and picked up the plate.
“That’s my Lucinda.” Carl smiled in her direction. “Never let it be said my wife didn’t try to feed anyone who stepped foot in her house.”
“No self respecting Southern woman would have it any other way.” She didn’t even bother looking in our direction.
