“You read the website.”
“I try to do my homework.”
“I guess you should if you’re gonna pick up and move three hundred miles.”
“When did you know you wanted the ranch life for yourself?”
“I don’t ever remember questioning that. My first memory was watching my mom’s mare foal when I was three or four. I still remember the wonder of it all. Growing up, I never minded the chores—well, almost never. I found it satisfying, taking care of the horses. Now I’m responsible for maintaining a property that’s been passed down through my family.”
“Sounds like a lot of pressure.”
“Maybe. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I always felt so blessed to be raised here.”
“You were. It’s a beautiful property and you own some fine animals.”
“I wish Emerson saw it that way.”
“She doesn’t take to ranch life?”
“She says she’d rather do something else—though she doesn’t seem to know what. She’s helped a lot since Mom died, but lately her interest has waned.”
“How’s that work, with you being partners and all?”
“Not very well. I’m hoping she’ll come around. This place could be a real moneymaker. I feel it in my bones. I think when we turn it around, when the money starts coming in, she’ll see things differently.”
Stella snatched at some tall grass as they reached the summit and Charlotte redirected her. “You might warn whoever gets Stella that she likes to snack. They’ll need to nudge her along.”
“Maybe I can break her of that habit. In the meantime I’ll be sure to let riders know. Rogue is handling the trail like a boss.”
“He’s a natural leader. Did I tell you we’re getting another boarder? A mare that needs to be saddle trained. She’ll be coming on as soon as the stable’s finished. And we have another trail ride scheduled for the weekend. You’re gonna have to holler if I give you too much to handle. I’m happy to be trail boss if I’m not working at the Trailhead.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I like staying busy.”
“Well, that’s good, because busy you’re definitely gonna be.”
The ground dropped a bit before climbing again. “Other than the grazing, Stella’s holding up pretty well back here. She’s sure-footed. I think she’ll make a fine trail horse.”
“You picked good ones. They’re built for trails and have even temperaments.”
“I’d like to get more eventually so we can handle larger groups, but that’ll have to wait.”
“Good horses aren’t cheap.”
“No, they’re not. But we already had my horse and Emerson’s, so I only had to buy a few. Do you ever think about getting one yourself?”
“Nah. My lifestyle isn’t really compatible with horse ownership.”
“You’d have to buy a truck and trailer for starters.”
“I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
Was it the money? He’d surely made a decent salary at Four Winds with his skills and reputation. His old boss would’ve clearly upped the ante to keep him. But his résumé proved he never stayed in one place for long. “As much as you move around, you must like starting fresh, huh?”
“Guess I do. New challenges keep things interesting. I like to travel, too, and moving around allows me to experience different places.”
“Sure. I get that.” But he was in his midthirties. Didn’t he ever want to settle down, start a family? It wasn’t a question she should ask—as his boss or as a woman. No way was she getting involved with another man who would only leave her behind.
“My dad was a little like that too,” Charlotte continued. “He was a truck driver. His routes were just regional, but he loved driving around that big rig. I’d go with him sometimes.”
