Page 4 of Wild As Her

My eyes snap up, razor sharp. “That’s because I am. Move.”

He hesitates, like his one remaining brain cell is debating whether to test me. Then I see Jack go still, silent, and give this guy a look that could salt the earth.

That’s all it takes.

The cowboy mumbles something under his breath and stepsaside. I push open the door into the cool night air, my spine still tight with irritation.

I’ve had enough bullshit today.

My black heels sink into the grass and gravel as I make my way to the barn. I kick them off and pull on my worn boots I left inside the door, tossing my blazer onto the dirty barn floor without a second thought. Nothing matters anymore. Now it’s time to figure this shit out. The gloves are coming off, so to speak. Only for me it's expensive shoes and clothes. It’s time to fight dirty. Figure out a plan. And the best way I know to do that is to go for a ride and clear my head with my favorite boy.

I saddle up Mouse, my horse that has been my best friend for six years now. The only male I can count on these days to not let me down.

My Mouse.

Love, my trusty blue heeler cattle dog, watches from the barn door, tipping her head. Her warm brown eyes are alert, and she’s always ready to follow me wherever I go.

I didn’t name her that. I picked her up at a shelter a few years ago, and the name just stuck. Someone left her and her puppies tied to a dumpster in the next town over. Her puppies all got adopted, and she was set to be put down that Friday at four because nobody wanted her. I found her at the shelter at three.

I brought her home, and it turns out that the name Love suits her just fine. I’ve never met a more loyal and loving dog. I’ve been told our personalities match. I don’t mind. Love is loyal, full of heart, and mean as hell when she needs to be. I’ve seen her go toe-to-toe with a black bear. It was not something I’d ever like to witness again, but she chased the bear offto protect Mouse and me. I love that dog so much. Her and Mouse are all I have at the ranch now.

I hike up my dress since no one is around and swing onto my well-worn saddle. This dress will be ruined, but I’m beyond caring. This whole day is ruined. This dress is just a reminder of what I lost today. Maybe I’ll even burn it later.

The sun dipping below the mountains casts shadows over the land, but the calmness doesn’t do shit to loosen the pain coursing through my chest. My world is falling apart. And this time, I’m afraid that no amount of determination or hard work can fix this. The ranch is slipping away for good, and I’m supposed to just stand back and watch it all fade away one moment at a time.

Hot tears flow steadily as I ride, not bothering to wipe them away. They just streak down my face and neck. My arms are cold, but I don’t care.

Out here in this pasture is the one place where I can feel everything. Always have. My safe place. I think about what things will be like a month from now and wonder where I will go. What will become of the ranch?

Moving back to town and renting a place isn’t an option. I just can’t. Living in town isn’t for me. Our small ranch is about thirty minutes outside of town, and I love the quiet. That white picket fence life was never for me. I was always made to be wild and free.

This place is my anchor. My future family’s legacy. It’s not the biggest ranch in Wyoming, but it’s home. I ride through the back pasture, and no matter how far I go, I can’t chase away the ache that fills me.

I bring Mouse to a stop, the wind tugging at my hair that’s starting to fall out of the pins. I rip out the pins and fluff it out. I dismount and walk for a while, stroking Mouse’s neck. “Good boy. That’s my boy.”

I reach down and bury myself in Love’s fur, grounding myself in her warmth. “They can’t take this from us,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “I’m going to find a different way to keep us here.”

Mouse whinnies, and I lean forward, pressing my forehead to him. Tears flow faster, and my body shakes with sobs as I wrap my arms around his neck and cry. He stands there and rests his head on my shoulder.

I cling to this moment. The only moment of the day that feels real. The only moment I want to carry from today.

When I finally head back to the barn, the weight of the world feels a little lighter. But reality smacked me across the face today. As I put Mouse to bed for the night, my determination is back. I might be losing everything that matters to me, but I won’t be going down without a fight.

Chapter 3

Jack

The Cowboy in Me by Tim McGraw

Arifle cracks through the air, sharp, sudden, and way too close.

Pesto jolts beneath me, muscles twitching, eyes wide. I tighten the reins, steadying him with one hand. “Easy, boy. Easy.”

But my gut’s already twisting.

I swing him toward the tree line, the border between Jessop land and Wilder Ranch, and we bolt.

The wind cuts past my ears as we tear across the pasture, hooves pounding the dirt like thunder. My heart feels like it’s beating just as loud.

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