Page 5 of Hitch Me

Every protective instinct I have is screaming at me to intervene. But I get the message loud and clear. This isn't my fight. So I do the only thing left for me to do. I back off and let them handle their family drama.

Watching the careful dance between Brynn Rose and her mother's moods is a painful sight. I figure it’s another reason I probably shouldn't be pursuing Brynn Rose.

Imagine having Brandi Rose as a mother-in-law. The woman treats her daughter like a personal assistant. I don’t think I could take it watching someone treat my girl this way on the regular. It’s killing me now.

To take my mind off the shit show unraveling in front of me, I pull out my phone. I turn my attention back to the other task at hand and scroll through our local Facebook group. Nothing stays a secret in this town. There have to be clues about the identity of that damned Boots and Bitching podcast host.

I flip open my notes app and review what I have so far.

The voice is definitely disguised. Some kind of filter or modulator that makes it impossible to tell if it's male or female. The insider knowledge is too detailed to be from an outsider. This person lives here, works on the ranch, or at the very least grew up here. They know about family dynamics that aren't exactly public knowledge. They know about business dealings that happen behind closed doors. They seem to have a particular fascination with my family's personal lives.

None of it amounts to much of anything concrete. But in Sagebrush Creek, it seems impossible that this monster of a podcaster could be hiding in plain sight. Yet here we are.

"Geoffrey!" Brynn Rose’s voice cuts through my thoughts. When I look up, I see Brandi Rose has retreated to her Cadillac.

"Everything okay?" I ask, though the tight expression on Brynn's face tells me it's anything but.

She forces a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Just peachy. If you have a minute, we are ready to put some muscle behind these goat-proofing modifications."

“Anything for you.” I flash her a cheesy smile.

And just like that, we're back to pretending that the tension between us is only about livestock management and yoga props. We work from a checklist while Brandi Rose sits in her air conditioned car.

She emerges when the sunsets… And that’s when Choke makes his move.

CHAPTER 5

BRYNN ROSE

I should have warnedher about Choke the Chicken.

The thought crosses my mind just as Mom steps out of her air-conditioned sanctuary. Her gold bangles jingle as she surveys our work with the kind of critical eye she usually reserves for hotel housekeeping.

She's wearing white linen pants and a silk blouse that probably cost more than most people's car payments. It’s completely impractical for a ranch, but that's Mom. She’s always dressed like she's expecting photographers to materialize out of thin air.

"Hmm… This is better, bless your hearts. I can still see quite a few areas of opportunity?—"

And that's when Choke makes his entrance.

The rooster comes around the corner of the Bareback Haven Spa like a feathered missile. His red comb stands at full attention. His wings are spread wide in full attack mode. He's got his beady black eyes locked on Mom like she's personally offended his entire bloodline. The ironic part is, she probably has.

"What is this free range—" Mom starts to say, but Choke doesn't give her time to finish.

He launches himself at her with extended talons and a battle cry. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. It’s clear he views her designer outfit as a direct challenge to his authority over this ranch.

"This is absurd. Y’all get control of your damn animals." Mom shrieks and stumbles backward as Choke lands on her shoulder.

Her pristine outfit is stained red in an instant and bits of clay cling to the fabric. But Choke is relentless. He pecks at her perfectly styled hair. She flails and flings her arms wildly in response. It occurs to me that Choke might be the only one in this town with enough bravado to take on my mother.

It’s a horror show and I can’t look away. I know I should help. I should rush over there and rescue my mother from the wrath of an overly protective rooster. I will my feet to move, but something in me keeps them cemented to the red clay.

Mom’s eyes lock on me. They’re laced with pure panic. I watch the scene unfold and feel something bubble up from deep in my chest… Don’t laugh Brynn. Please, don’t laugh. I turn away from her and lock eyes with Geoffrey.

“Dammit, Choke.” His smile makes the corner of his eyes crinkle.

He has no such problem with being frozen. In a wildly athletic feat, Geoffrey leaps over a haybale. It’s not human. It’s like Colton’s fence jump from the Bachelor. Smooth, controlled, and such an overreaction.

“Wow,” I murmur. When Geoffrey passes me on his way to save the day, I lean in toward him and whisper, "Don’t be too upset with him. I think Choke can sense evil.”

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