Page 34 of Herds and Hooves

“We could make a day of it. Is there any place to swim up there?”

“You could go to the old swimming hole up behind Baxter grade,” Asa said. “It used to be a fun place when I was a kid.”

“That’s where everyone goes to swim naked,” Noah said like it was no big deal.

“Then that’s where we’ll go,” I said and ignored Keith nearly choking on his burger.

“You okay there?” Asa asked but instead of concern he wore an amused grin.

“Yep,” Keith managed to get out before chugging the rest of his beer and reaching for a glass of water that wasn’t his and chugging it down too.

“Really, dude?” Noah said.

“Sorry, it’s just—” Keith looked at me for help, but I just took a bite of beans and went back to Asa who looked so happy to have us all here.

“I think a little skinny dipping in the middle of nowhere sounds fun,” I said.

“Okay seriously, I’m not used to all this talk,” Keith finally said, waving the white flag. And I finally relented.

“Sorry, you know we’re just messing with you, well they are,” I said.

“Bart, you better give him a break, he’s not as young as the two of you,” Asa added.

“Hey look who’s talking.”

“I might be old but I’m in prime condition,” Asa said holding up a muscular arm that was tanned at the bottom and pale as the day he was born just under the edge of his shirt.

“Okay, you two, calm down,” Noah said making everyone laugh.

This was what I’d missed while living in Auburn. I had friends, but not friends like this, and I was old enough to know how rare it was. I loved my family, but having good people to spend time with at work and after was nice, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready to leave it behind. Keith glanced at me and I squeezed his hand. He was so different than I’d expected him to be, but so far everything I knew about him I liked.

Twenty-Eight

Keith

The rest of the week dragged by, and every freaking day Bart was on my mind. He’d shown me in just a small amount of time that he wasn’t shy, and he was more than eager to speak his mind and tell me and anyone else exactly how he felt. We’d planned to go to the mountains on Saturday, but they were right in the middle of calving season, and all the little ones were keeping them busy.

“Hey, babe, are we still on for Saturday?” Bart asked. I’d been trying to be better at reaching out to him, and even though it had only been about a week I found myself looking at my phone more and loving the excitement of every message. Even if it was a video about a dog getting startled by a fart, or a donkey squeezing a rubber chicken. It was all good fun and made my life way less boring.

“Yes, looking forward to it.”

“Liar, but don’t worry. I swear we’ll have fun. Are you driving your truck?”

“No, I have an old beater I keep at a friend’s property that we’ll take. It’s dependable but it’s been through it.”

“What does that mean?” Bart asked.

“It’s been rolled a couple of times while we were out playing around, but like I said it’s perfectly safe. I would never put you in danger.” I knew how it sounded, but I was actually very careful when I went off-road, but sometimes things happened that I couldn’t control.

“I trust you, and I have friends who used to go drive the Rubicon each year, so I know how it goes. I’m not worried, and I can’t wait to see that swimming hole.”

“I’ve been all around that area and I’ve never seen that place. I’ve heard of it, but it must be more hidden than they make it sound.” Every person in town over fifty had been to that swimming hole, and every person in town who had been there was very vague about exactly where it was.

“We’ll ask Asa,” he said with confidence.

“If he’s not any help then we’ll just wing it. It’ll be fun to go for a ride.”

“I agree, and thanks again for driving.”