“I get to show you the horses after lunch.”
“Yes.”
As the parents try to corral the kids, Sam introduces himself to their teachers before clapping his hands and getting everyone’s attention.
“Hi, everyone. Welcome to The Lost Spur Ranch. I’m Sam and I’m going to be taking you guys on your field trip today.”
Cheers and shouts meet our ears.
“Make sure to bring your lunches, because we’ll eat out in the fields where you might get to see some of the animals we have here at the ranch.”
“Like giraffes?” someone calls out from the back.
“More like cows,” Sam says with a smile.
He really is a natural at this.
“Can we feed them?” another student asks.
“Not today. But I promise, I have fun things planned for you.” He rubs his hands together. “Now, if you want to follow me, we can get started.”
Sam leads them through the barn where curious heads are poking out of the stalls. A few of the full-time guys are helping tack the horses as kids wave to them.
The tractor is waiting out back with a wagon filled with hay for the kids to sit on. When I pitched this idea to Kade, he loved it. I have a feeling his daughter’s class will be coming out here soon.
I help the kids get on and find seats as the girls all migrate to one side with the boys on the other.
Just how I remember it.
Looking around to make sure everyone is on, I go to take a seat, but there’s no room.
“Where am I going to sit?”
Max looks at me then to Sam standing behind me. “You can drive with Sam!”
“Care to help me navigate?” Laughter fills Sam’s voice.
“I guess I have to.”
“Eww,” one of the girls says. “Boys are smelly.”
One of the chaperones—her mother by the matching face—scolds her.
“It’s okay. I think I can manage.”
“Let’s get started. What do you say?” Sam asks.
Everyone cheers as I follow Sam to the tractor.
“What a shame.” He clucks.
“Having to ride with you?” He extends his hand and helps me up before dropping down into the seat next to me. “There are definitely worse ways to spend my day.”
The tractor rumbles to a start as he steers us through the field. I unhook my sunglasses from my denim shirt and slide them into place.
The voices behind us echo around.
“Can I say thank you again for doing this?”
