Page 12 of Catch Me, Cowboy
Gramps let out a breath. “Old age, near as I can figure.”
Shelby took out a carton of eggs. “Just snuck up on you? Bruised your elbow and hurt your leg?”
“Hip.”
“What happened to your hip?” She pulled a bowl out from the cupboard.
“I overdid it fencing.”
Shelby turned, the bowl still in her hand. “Fencing? What fence?” All of their fences were in good shape unless a cow had recently gone through one.
Gramps pressed his lips together. “The fence along the creek on the grazing lease.”
“There is no fence along the creek.” Unless the people who’d recently purchased the land her grandfather leased to feed his cattle had built one. As far as she knew, that hadn’t happened.
“There will be. The new owners changed the terms of the agreement and I have to fence off the riparian, except for two watering areas. They want it done before the snow flies, so it’s ready come spring, when we turn out.”
“When were you going to tell me about this new deal?” Because Gramps had renewed the lease for the adjoining property over two weeks ago and had never said one word about new fencing.
“You have a full plate.”
Shelby turned back to the bowl and started cracking eggs into it. She did have a full schedule. She worked horses for eight hours a day, five-and-a-half days a week. Sunday was for catching up on hours she’d had to use for other things—doctors, dentists, grocery shopping. Roping practice… she’d give that up, except that Wyatt was counting on her to do her part in the Copper Mountain Rodeo. That was part of being a team roper—one counted on their partner.
Gramps got out of his chair and crossed the room, moving better than he’d been before he knew that Shelby was watching, and she had a feeling it was costing him.
“I’ve been working on this fence for two days now, using the posts in the stockpile and getting an idea of how much more materials I need to buy.” He raised a hand when Shelby shot him a look. “It’s still my property, kiddo, and if I want to fence it without help, so be it.”
“I can see that’s working out really well for you.” She started stirring the eggs a little harder than necessary. The creek went on forever through the lease, winding instead of cutting straight across. “You can’t do that much fencing alone. You need a crew.”
“I could barely afford Uriel. Hell. I couldn’t afford Uriel. Not year around anyway. He expected more money than Ty.” Because Ty had only worked for them part-time before he took off to pursue his rodeo dreams.
“We need to get someone. I’d help if I didn’t have a full schedule.”
“Maybe I can put a notice up at the feed store.”
“Or maybe Ty could have his old job back.” The idea came out of nowhere.
Crazy, yet somehow sane, and Shelby felt oddly calm as she spoke. What better way to prove they were well and truly over? To take command of the situation? This would be the ultimate in command… she’d be his boss.
When she chanced a glance at her grandfather he was literally gaping at her.
He snapped his mouth shut, then said, “I thought…” His voice trailed off as if he was afraid of saying something wrong.
“Ty and I talked last night. Things are truly over. You need the help.” And Ty owed Gramps for taking off like he did.
If he was back in Marietta, he might as well pay his debt. He knew Gramps. He knew the ranch.
“Maybe one of the fire crew.”
“Or maybe someone who you can work with.” Because her grandfather was not an easy boss. “Can you afford to pay Ty his old wage for a few weeks?”
Shelby’s business was separate from the ranch, which was solely owned by her grandfather. She paid rent on the corrals and the tack sheds at her insistence, hoping it helped Gramps make ends meet during the lean times. It seemed to be working. He hadn’t shipped cows to pay unexpected bills in a long time, but he hadn’t paid anyone a salary since Uriel left.
“I can afford part-time help.”
Shelby put butter in the pan heating on the stove and slowly swirled it. “Good. I’ll see Ty today.”
“I don’t know that I like this. Not after…” His voice trailed yet again and Shelby gave him a bland look over her shoulder.
