Page 77 of Head Over Spurs

It was time he focused on chasing something for himself.And that meant making this rehabilitation center at Hayes Ranch happen. He grabbed his hat from his knee and stood. “Let’s meet now.”

He followed Brett through the house to the office in the front. It boasted a large window overlooking the way the river weaved in front of the house. The sun sparkled off the water, turning it golden in the morning light. Riley stopped in front of the window, keeping his eyes focused on the scene outside. He loved being on this ranch.

“About that rehabilitation service,” Brett started. He sank down into a leather chair behind the barnwood desk and adjusted the picture of Laurel that sat before him. “We’d need another barn, and to rework the fencing to make some more sectioned off land for those instances when they need their own space. It would be under the Hayes Ranch name, but it would be yours.”

Riley tore his focus away from the window. “It would be… mine? Just like that? I don’t even have to pitch you any ideas?”

“The way I see it, a second caretaker will step into a full-time role to help with the ranch horses. They would also help you with the rehab center. You’d still be able to be the wrangler for trips, and the other caretaker would shift to cover the wild horses as well while you’re gone with half the ranch band anyway. You’d get a formal title for overseeing the rehabilitation center and be in charge of making the decisions for it.”

He leaned against the windowsill and absorbed Brett’s words. Frankly, it seemed too good to be true.

“Why me?” he asked carefully.

Tilting back in his chair, Brett folded his hands behind his head. His dark eyes settled on Riley. “When I was active duty, I saw plenty of personalities come through. The ones I appreciated the most were team guys. The guys that understood the value of hard work, but also that hard work is only worth doingwhen you’re doing it with others—for the greater good. The guys that checked their egos at the door, no matter how much they had to boast about. You’re a team guy if I’ve ever seen one, Walker.”

Riley swallowed the lump in his throat. He couldn’t imagine a higher compliment than the one he was being paid right now.

“On top of that,” Brett continued, “Red over at Blue Sky Sanctuary has nothing but glowing things to say about you. Apparently, I’m not the only one who sees your potential. He says you were always good at reading the horses and keeping a handle on situations.”

“This is…” Riley started. It was a dream come true, really. As if his experiences over the years had been leading to this opportunity. “This is something I will not take for granted.”

“I know you won’t.” Brett stood and extended his hand. “Sounds like we have a deal?”

Riley clasped him in a firm shake. “We have a deal.”

“Good, then go call your sister. Gracie’s been blowing up my phone on her behalf. Then maybe see about securing that second caretaker.”

Brett had just handed him the opportunity to build something amazing. And he did it without hesitation. There was paperwork to draw up, plans to make. They needed to do construction and reconfiguring at the compound—but it would be up to him.

This rehabilitation branch was his.

Riley stepped out of the office to the crew awaiting him. Laurel was beaming, Cooper was too. Apparently, Brett’s plans weren’t a secret.

“What’s the word?” Coop asked, a full plate in front of him now.

“We’ll be doin’ some rehabilitation around here for now on,” Riley replied, unable to fight a smile.

Laurel squealed and reached her hands over the couch, motioning for a hug. He obliged, crossing the room and tipping over the leather back. “This is all going to work out, including getting the girl,” she whispered in his ear as his arms wrapped around her. “You deserve it all, Riley.”

His heart faltered at her soft words. He didn’t know if he deserved anything, really. But he appreciated being seen as a team guy. And he appreciated the way he was folded into this family without hesitation. “I won’t let y’all down,” he replied hoarsely.

“We know.”

In his pocket, his phone went off for easily the fifth time in the past hour—Piper, he assumed. Pulling it out, his suspicions were confirmed.

But he couldn’t help noticing that there wasn’t anything from Jules on the notifications list. This time, his heart dipped, and his stomach right along with it.

“I need to,” he started, holding up the ringing phone. Laurel nodded in understanding.

He moved across the room to the back door, stepping onto the sprawling porch. It overlooked the rest of the compound below, and he took up residence in one of the rocking chairs to admire the view. He answered the call as he watched the horses mill about in the pasture, a light breeze dancing through their manes and the steady flicks of their tails.

“Morning, Pipes.”

“Morning? That’s all you have to say to me?” his sister scolded through the phone. “When were you going to tell me you were in the hospital? I’ve been worried sick.”

Riley adjusted the cowboy hat atop his head in dismay. “Hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. I wasn’t there overnight or anything.”

“I heard about it from Gracie. I should have heard about it from you.”

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