“Fold.” I toss my cards down and lean back in my chair.
Fuck, this feels really good tonight. It’s just what I needed. Being with the guys and playing poker is something I needmore of in my life. I don’t have a good balance with working too much and I know that.
I’ve never been good at juggling things. Being a farrier, I was always at the whim of whoever needed help and when.
I wasn’t the best father for Lennox. Even though we have a better relationship now, I threw myself into my work. I didn’t know how to handle a grieving kid while trying to heal myself.
Being in Pinecrest now has given the two of us a better relationship. One that I’m happy we have.
It’s why I would never want to think about dating Joey and coming between her and her father. She relies on them too much.
No. I can’t have that.Or her.
I need to push any thoughts of Joey out of my head. It’s easier this way. For everyone.
Even if I’m the one hurting myself in the process. I’ve been through worse. I can handle it.
Right?
Chapter Nine
JOEY
Excitement bubbles in my stomach the closer I get to the ranch. I’ve always loved my job at The Lost Spur, even during the slower months before Verne died. But today I’m excited because I get to see Sam.
I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Whenever I’ve dated, it’s always the first nerves before meeting, usually followed by an inevitable letdown because no one wants anything serious. And when they find out I have a kid, they can’t get away fast enough.
All I want is to find a decent guy. Sam is as good as they come.
Pulling into the employee lot—still in the borrowed truck from the ranch because I can’t afford to fix my car—I head inside to start my day.
I get the updates from the night shift before starting my routine. I arrange transportation to the airport for those checking out and get flight updates for those guests arriving to make sure our staff is ready.
With so many new experiences that guests can do during the day now, I coordinate all the details so everyone knows whatthey are doing.
Reenie and I do it all. Between the two of us, we can manage it plus all of the guest reservations. It’s nice getting to stay busy now.
Seeing that the first guests will be down soon, I give my hair another fluff, because the man that is taking them to the barn will be here soon.
“Morning, Joey,” Mr. Simms says, coming out of the dining room.
“Good morning.” I smile at him. “How was your evening?”
“Great. We loved the s’mores bonfire. Especially Chelsea.”
His daughter peeks out from behind him, face completely pale and scared.
“What’s wrong, Chelsea?” I ask, walking around the desk and dropping down to my knees to get on her level.
She’s holding the small stuffed horse we give all of our younger guests when they arrive. Another one of Kade’s brilliant ideas.
“I’m scared,” she whispers, holding the animal over her mouth.
“Of riding the horses?”
She nods.
“Well, I happen to know that you have the very best horse here on the ranch.”
