Page 54 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“About a hundred and two,” Daniel replied, “but he’s still running the salvage yard, and he’s usually quick with a favor.”
Mike was probably in his eighties, Reed estimated. He’d been a friend of Reed’s grandfather, and while he was unusual in a lot of ways, so was Jay. The two of them might do okay together.
“I’ll call him at lunch,” Daniel said. “Let you know what he says. What’re your plans?”
“I thought I’d put some miles on that colt of yours while the snow is deep. Take some of the piss out of him.” He waited calmly for his dad to meet his eyes. “You’ve been riding him in the round pen, and I’ve seen tracks where you’ve taken him around the big pasture, so why not? I have to check the north fence line.” The one that drifted over and broke down with seasonal regularity.
Instead of a fight, his dad said, “Be careful with him. I don’t want him injured.”
Reed bit his lip. “Right.” If one of them was injured, he’d see to it that it was him and not the horse.
“That wasn’t—”
Reed raised a hand. “Don’t ruin it, Dad.”
He started for the tack room, then stopped and turned back. “Has there been any pushback from Hunt about the fortified boundary fence or the adverse possession?”
“Nothing. I can’t see the guy just dropping it. You know that he loves nothing more than a line in the sand, and we just drew one.”
“He drew first.”
“True. It makes me uneasy, wondering why we haven’t heard from his crack legal team.”
“Well, at least we didn’t hire his spy,” Reed said.
Daniel gave a thumbs-up, then started returned to loosening the stubborn bolt he’d been working on when Reed had come in. “Take your phone. You know, in case you need a lift back.”
His voice echoed from beneath the hood of the truck, and since he didn’t look up, Reed didn’t answer. He had no intention of needing a ride back to the ranch.
*
Audrey had anappointment in town, so after the document sorting was done for the day, Trenna agreed to stay a little longer so that there would be someone on the ranch while Lex rode Audrey’s mare. She was happy to oblige because the moment that she got into her car, she’d be back to debating about whether to apply for the Shardlow job.
Of course you’re going to apply. It would be insane not to apply.
She gripped the cold metal rails of the round pen a little more tightly with her gloved hands.
Less than a month ago, applying would have been a no-brainer, but now…
It’s still a no-brainer.
An excellent opportunity had fallen into her lap, and it felt wrong that instead of reveling in a positive turn in her professional life, she was wondering what to do. Dr. Gilbert would be disappointed if she didn’t apply—of course you’re going to apply—but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was about to make another sacrifice.
And she didn’t have to look far to find the answer why. As always, it was Reed.
Reed who made it so very clear that there could be nothing serious between them. Did she want something serious?
No. She wanted a job where she could teach and do research.
Lex trotted by a little too close to the rail, and Trenna let go and stepped back, pushing her hands into her pockets. The horse was out of shape, but good natured, and Lex rode her a little longer every day allowing the old girl to get her wind back. Just for half an hour, Lex had promised, and indeed, after a half hour of round pen work during which time Trenna fought a long hard battle with herself about her future, the girl dismounted.
“Thanks for staying,” she said. “Dad’s serious about me not riding with no one around.”
“Not a problem,” Trenna said. “You’re a good horseman.”
“All of us Kellers were blessed with good balance and light hands.” Lex spoke as if by rote.
“Were you?” Trenna asked.
