I had no idea she remembered that. Can't fucking believe she made it for the kids. For me.
"What's the deal with you two, anyway?" Cas asks, picking up where he left off brushing out Temperance's coat. Then he pauses, "I mean, if you don't mind me asking."
I set the glass container down on the haybale sitting in the aisle outside Hunter's stall, waiting to be dispersed at the next feeding, before I get back to readying him for the work ahead. "Don't mind you asking, but there really isn't much to tell." I shrug, dropping to a squat to wrap the gelding's legs. "Her sister was my best friend's wife. We've all known each other since we were kids. And she's hated me the entire time."
"I don't think that's hate, brother," he says with a chuckle. "Pretty sure hate doesn't come to the barn offering a home cooked meal made especially for you."
I shake my head. "Liz does everything backwards. Trust me, she can hate me just fine and still feel like it's her job to take care ofme." Much as she would tell you otherwise, she's a caretaker down to her bones. Doesn't know how not to show up for everyone. Doesn't have it in her to see someone go without. The fact I benefit from that soul-deep part of her is no more than a byproduct of the years I spent proving to her that I couldn't be trusted to care for myself.
"Guess this whole situation is pretty complicated, huh?" he says, and I can hear him tossing the brush back into the grooming bucket before he picks up the saddle from where it's been waiting for him. "Both of you needing to rely on each other for the greater good of the kids."
I haven't told him the whole of it. How much is riding on the ranch turning enough of a profit to not only sustain itself but pay off the mountain of debt left in the wake of expansion. But he knows enough. Knows the kids need her like the horses need me. That one is dependent on the other.
"The kids make it simple," I say.
He nods. "They always do."
We carry on in silence after that and before long, we're walking the horses out of the barn in time to meet the first truck and trailer pulling up. I recognize the blue Chevy before I can make out the logo on the side of the truck. Kitterman Ranch. Which means the driver is none other than Brennan.
"Think he brought the same mare from last week?" Cas asks, a crease forming between his brows.
"Likely." The horse has an aggressive streak harsh enough to have me thinking about banning horses that exhibit certain behaviors from the event. "Probably trying to work some of those bad habits out of her."
I'm usually the first in line to take on a horse that's written off as dangerous or untrainable, but whatever drives that mare to act out it isn't fear or boredom, as is often the case when a horse takes up biting or kicking out. The mare is straight-up mean. And it isn't just the riders that have to mind their space around her. She lashes out at the other horses too.
"Evening, boys," Brennan calls out as he climbs out of his truck. "Ready to have your asses kicked tonight?"
The rodeo is meant for practice, but we still keep time and announce winners at the end of the night. We've even started handing out prizes for each event. Things that cost us nothing but still provide value. A few hours of using our arena. A free training session with me. Forty-eight hours of horse boarding for people who want a weekend off. That sort of thing.
Adding the prizes has done more than add a little extra fun and incentive for those showing up to ride, it's been good for business too. Free training has led to three new clients. Use of the arena has turned into offering up certain days and times for open use and people have been quick to schedule their time.
Especially with the weather slowly changing, having a space that's sheltered from the cold and wet has been invaluable to a lot of riders. Much as it was a risky investment, Trent was smart making it. If I can continue to bridge the gap for a while, it could pay off tenfold in the long run.
"I think Temperance and I are going to give you a run for your money," Cas says, but it's clear he's humoring him, engaging for the sake of being polite.
I'm about to throw my own comment in the mix, some lighthearted shit talking about how Hunter is ready to show everyoneup, when Brennan's attention shifts. "Liz going to be around once things get started?"
Every muscle in my body goes tense. "She hasn't missed a rodeo night yet," I remind him.
"Expect that to change after tonight." He flashes me a smile I want to punch right off his face. "I have a proposition for her and a good feeling she'll say yes."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
LIZ
"What are you going to tell him?" Jovi demands as he comes storming in through the back door. It's the first time he's let himself into this house in months, let alone came in through the kitchen instead of the front door.
"Good morning to you too," I mutter, turning back toward the counter to finish fixing my cup of coffee. "Pot finished brewing a second ago if you want some," I offer, carrying on while ignoring his question.
"I want to know what you decided to do about Brennan," he insists, stopping at the island, crossing both arms over his chest and refusing the coffee I know he's desperate for. I know, because I saw him drinking gas station coffee yesterday. And then found his coffee maker in the big bin when I took out the kitchen trash later that afternoon. So, I help him out and fix him a cup.
"Here." I have to hold the cup in front of him for several long seconds before he finally takes it.
"Plying me with coffee won't work," he grumbles. "Just tell me so I can move on with whatever happens next."
"You're so fucking dramatic," I sigh. Given his current antics, I’m surprised he managed to wait as long as he did to confront me.Brennan sought me out Friday night. It’s Sunday morning. He sat on this for almost two days.
"Brennan offered you a job," he snarls. "One that would offer you and the kids security. A steady income and a reliable place to live."
