Page 28 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“I don’t know, Dad.”
“He’s been halter broke and had his feet trimmed.”
Reed said nothing, which was a message in itself; one that his father responded to.
“I’m totally capable of starting this colt,” Daniel said.
“I’m not saying you aren’t. But I’m thinking maybe I should handle the first few rides.”
“Which kind of indicates you don’t think I’m capable.”
“You have to think about your back. The ground comes at you faster and feels harder than it used to.”
“Maybe I’m not going to hit the ground.”
“Shit happens.”
“Not if you know what you’re doing.”
His dad totally knew horses, but he’d also had back surgery. If he wasn’t careful, he’d have to have another.
“Do what you want, Dad.” He was going to do it anyway.
Daniel cocked his eyebrow in the way that had told him trouble was coming in the past, then seemed to remember himself—or maybe a promise to his wife. “I’ll think on it.”
Reed nodded. “Lex and I are going to town. Want anything?”
“Check with your mom.”
Reed was on his way out of the barn when his dad cleared his throat behind him. “I saw you talking to Trenna at her car. Trouble?”
“With the car or with us?”
Daniel gave a take-your-pick shrug.
“She needed a new battery cable and we talked.”
He could see that his dad, who would have denied ever being interested in gossip, was dying to ask what they’d talked about, but his pride wouldn’t allow such a thing. Reed had mercy.
“We talked about how things felt awkward and how we need to get past that.”
Close enough anyway.
“Good to get stuff out in the open.”
Reed gave his father a pointed look, and Daniel glanced down self-consciously. “I’ve never been a talker.”
“Unless you were talking at me.”
“Nine times out of ten, I was trying to keep you from killing yourself.”
Reed couldn’t argue. “Thanks for that.” Something shifted then and he broke into a grin. His dad had literally saved him a few times, with at least two of the incidents involving roofs and/or elastic cords. A second later, his dad smiled back.
“I’m starting the colt.”
“I figured.” Reed gestured toward the door as the horn of his truck sounded. “I think Lex might be ready to go.”
“Pick me up some cigars. Don’t tell your mom.”
