Page 9 of Lost and Lassoed

“Sounds good. Talk to you later.”

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A few hours later, I was deep into the hills of Rebel Blue, checking on the tanks that we used to gather rainwater. Once the tanks were full, we would drag them to a pasture for the cattle. I hadn’t planned on going this far out today, but after I checked the first few tanks, I was running good on time, so I kept going.

Less work for me tomorrow.

The one thing you need to know about ranchers? We’re fucking obsessed with water—especially in the summer. The West is dry, and even though a lot of Rebel Blue is irrigated, we still rely on rainwater for our cattle. It replenishes thegrasses they eat and the streams and ponds where they drink. We’re always looking for ways to use our resources more efficiently and sustainably. It’s important to us.

Wes and I normally checked these together, but we hadn’t had time this week, so he and I had to split up. Dusty—who was somewhere between a ranch hand and a second-in-command—was taking some too. I was actually happy to be on my own today. It was nice. Quiet.

None of the tanks on my docket were full yet. It wasn’t a surprise—there hadn’t been a lot of rain lately—but it still worried the hell out of me to see each one nearly half empty.

I walked back to my horse, Scout, who was waiting a few feet from the tank, and mounted. Scout was jet black on his front half, but his back half was splotched with white paint. He was one of my dad’s rescues. I’d been riding him for about five years—he was probably in his late teens. He was a damn good horse. I took one of my deerskin gloves off and gave his neck a few rubs.

When I glanced at the sky, the sun was farther down than I was expecting it to be. Had this taken me longer than usual? My phone vibrated in the pocket of my vest. I didn’t recognize the number that flashed on the screen, but it was a Wyoming area code, so I answered.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Gus Ryder?” a woman’s voice asked on the other end.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Hi, Mr. Ryder. It’s Nicole, Riley’s soccer coach.”

Fuck.Fuck.Riley.

“We finished up here a little bit ago and just wanted toknow if you were close by?” My throat went dry, and my heart fell to my stomach.

I forgot to pick up my kid from soccer practice.

“Shit,” I breathed. “I’m so sorry. I lost track of time. Someone will be right there to grab her.” It wouldn’t be me. I was at least forty minutes from the stables, and that’s if Scout and I pushed it all the way back. I had to call Emmy or Brooks or my dad.

“No worries,” Nicole said. Her voice felt a little too warm for telling a dad he’d forgotten his kid. I tried to picture Nicole’s face, but I couldn’t. I knew she had red hair—dyed red hair. Not copper like Teddy’s. Wait, why was I thinking about Teddy right now? “It happens. I know Camille is out of town for the summer.” Cam normally coached Riley’s soccer team. “A change in routine can be hard.”

A change in routine didn’t mean I could forget my kid at soccer practice. Fuck. “I’m really sorry.”

“All good. I’ll hang out with her until you can get here.”

“Thank you,” I said. When I hung up, I immediately dialed Emmy. She lived closest to town. It took twenty minutes to get there from Rebel Blue—fifteen from Emmy and Luke’s. She picked up after a few rings.

“What’s up?” my sister asked in greeting.

“Can you pick up Riley at soccer?” The question was rushed, my voice distraught. Emmy didn’t respond right away.

“Gus,” she said worriedly, “soccer was over a half hour ago.”

“I know, I know,” I said. “I was checking the rain tanks, and I lost track of time. Scout and I are all the way up on the east side of the ranch. There’s no way I can get to town in less than an hour.”

“Luke and I went for a drive. We’re like thirty minutes outside of town…” Her voice trailed off.

“Please, Emmy,” I said. If she couldn’t get there, I would need her to help me find someone who could.

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you,” I said, relieved.

“Ride safe, okay?”

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