I rest my hand on his knee. From where we’re sitting, no one can see us.
“Thanks for trusting me to do it.”
“I’m glad you’re doing it. Max hasn’t stopped talking about the carnival.”
“Thankyoufor letting me hang out with you, darlin’. It’s been a long time since I’ve had fun like that.”
“Too busy at the ranch?”
He links his hand with mine. “More like trying to stealaway any time I can with the pretty girl that works at the front desk.”
As we head through the pastures where the horses are out, a few stop to glance over at us.
They’re used to guests at this point, but I’m sure a wagon full of kids is new for them. It’s been a while since the ranch has been this busy.
The biggest draw is all the experiences that Kade brought back.
Especially the trail rides into the mountains.
Conversation is easy with Sam as he takes us by the trees. He makes wide, sweeping loops of the land back here before pulling up to a few makeshift tables set up in a shady area.
He really did pull out all the stops. Not only did he go above and beyond for me, but he did it for my kid. That tells me a lot about Sam. About the man he is.
“Anyone up for a picnic lunch?” Sam pops up from his seat as soon as the tractor is turned off. “How does that sound?”
“Can I sit by you?” Max pipes up.
Leave it to him to be the first to answer.
I jump down and unlock the back of the wagon to start helping the kids off. Sam grabs the box of lunches and calls out names to hand them out. Ms. Anderson, one of Max’s teachers, helps to make sure no kid gets the wrong lunch. The last thing we need is a kid getting the wrong lunch and having a reaction to something they weren’t supposed to eat.
“I can’t thank you enough for organizing this,” Ms. Anderson tells me.
“I was happy to.”
“I know my second grader was jealous that we got to come out here. I expect there will be a lot more classes coming.”
“It was all Sam’s idea,” I say, giving the man sitting next to Max all the credit. “I was way too anxious about Max starting school, and he thought it would be a great idea.”
“You have nothing to worry about. Max is a great kid. He helps others and is always volunteering when I ask for help.”
“Thank you. That makes me so happy to hear.”
It also helps with the nerves I’m feeling about Max going to school. He loves telling me about his day—one of my favorite times as well—and I love that he’s not the quiet kid that doesn’t ask questions. I want him to learn and have fun.
Grabbing one of the lunches we packed for the chaperones—all thanks to our chef—I grab a seat opposite Sam and Max.
“Can horses eat sandwiches?” one of the kids asks.
I unwrap my own sandwich and take a bite, trying not to laugh.
“Horses don’t eat sandwiches,” Sam replies. “They can eat bananas, carrots, or even apples, as a treat.”
“I get a treat after dinner,” she says.
“Our horses don’t get that many treats.”
“Why not?” Max asks. “I like treats. I think a horse would too.”
