Page 20 of Bales and Brawn

“Some of it, yes, but we’ll have Nova’s horse as a packhorse as well.”

“It looks like a lot. Can’t you use a truck? How did your ancestors get everything out there in the first place?”

“They used wagons.”

“Like horse-drawn wagons?”

“Yup.”

“Can’t we go by wagon? I quite like the idea of idly sitting there on the seat of a wagon, rolling along like some old western movie.”

“Too bad.” I chuckle as he pulls a mock disappointed face. “Most of the wagon trails have gone now, impassable after avalanches. It’s mostly a single track. Plus the wagons rotted away years ago, so horses it is, I’m afraid.”

“Are you sure you’re not saying this just to watch me spend hours in discomfort on the back of a horse?” He stretches a little to exaggerate being stiff, though he showed little sign of it after his lesson earlier.

“Darn, you’ve discovered my secret,” I quip back, unable to stop the corners of my mouth lifting.

“See, I’m onto you, boss,” he says, his voice richly dark and with a sparkle in his eyes and a flash of white teeth against his black beard. My stomach does a somersault, and I stand there looking at him trying to wrench my eyes away. There’s a crunch of tires in the yard.

“You have a customer,” I say, and he twists to look back over his shoulder. He nods and retreats to go and serve them. Once he’s gone, the air feels lighter somehow and my chest can move again. Maybe inviting him along to the well was a bad idea, but it’s too late to change it now.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

DEVIN

I stifle a yawn as I make my way down the stairs from my room on Saturday to help Zane get the horses ready. I’m usually an early riser, but I missed one bus back from Sacramento last night and the next one was delayed. I thought I might not make it at all. It was fully dark by the time I made the mile walk up from Foggy Basin to the farm, then I couldn’t sleep, which again isn’t normally a problem. But I’m about to head off for a few days to god knows where, on a horse I’ve ridden exactly four times and fallen off once, with a guy who doesn’t like me. Though I’m not so sure about that last point anymore. He seems to be slowly thawing toward me. He seems to have softened and smiles more often, though haven’t witnessed another bout of his beautiful laughter. Perhaps I need to fall off more often. No, scrub that, my shoulder has only just stopped hurting. I missed the bus yesterday as I wanted to get it checked out, and then I treated myself to a massage. I’m definitely going need another one when I get back.

Zane is his usual straightforward self, a man of few words. After greeting me, he only says enough to tell me what needs passing. I find it almost comforting as I start to wake up properly. Eventually, we lead the horses out into the yard.

“Hold on.” He hands me the reins of all the horses and disappears toward the house. He returns with Nova in tow and a cowboy hat in his hands, even though he has one on his head.

Nova walks straight up to the packhorse. He’s pretty, with creamy-colored hair and brown patches. Nova strokes his nose.

“You’ll be a good boy, won’t you, Rainbow? I’ll see you soon.”

“Is that his name? Rainbow?” I ask, and Nova grins at me.

“Yes, Bonnie’s his mom, but I named him myself.”

“Here, you’ll need this.” Zane hands me the hat and I put it on.

“Do I look like a proper cowboy now?” I ask, and Nova giggles.

“It looks perfect, though a few rhinestones wouldn’t hurt,” Nova replies, and I swear I see Zane roll his eyes. That’s a first.

“It’s for keeping the sun off you. I don’t want you keeling over from sunstroke before we’ve even got there,” Zane says gruffly.

“But I guess it’s okay once we’ve arrived.” I wink at Nova who giggles again, making Zane’s face darken even more.

“C’mon, we need to get going,” he almost snaps, and swings himself into Blackwing’s saddle. I mount too, and we’re just about to leave when Arlene comes running out of the house.

“Is it Dad, is he okay?” Zane asks as she reaches us, pausing to catch her breath.

“Yes, he’s fine, but here’s a little something for you both.” She tucks a package into one of the bags attached to Rainbow and steps back.

“Have fun. I’m so jealous I’m not going with you,” Nova calls as we ride out of the yard and toward the hay fields. They’re large, but eventually we leave them behind. Zane doesn’t speak; clearly something’s wrong this morning. I thought he’d stopped being so prickly toward me, but maybe I was wrong. It feels oppressive, like a heavily cloud-laden sky, not quite ready to rain. I’m not looking forward to spending the next few days with him in this mood. I’d rather the storm break sooner so I can ride back while I still know the way.

“Are you alright?” I ask.