Page 27 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
“I’ve always hoped Hunter would find someone who could put up with all his bullshit.”
Gabe barks out a laugh while Margie genuinely seems pleased. “I wouldn’t call it bullshit. He’s a little grouchy and likes his kitchen to be just right. I can’t fault him too much for that.”
“Gabe is the new lawyer in town, and he’s not familiar with 4-H or much of the country life. I brought him to meet people.”
Margie points her cane at me. “We will talk later, young man. I’ll see you under the tent after.” She then smiles at Gabe, who, of course, returns the full Gabe dimpled grin. “You’re in excellent hands, Gabe.”
After she leaves, I puff my cheeks with a breath. “Well…that could have been worse.”
“She loves you. You’re close,” Gabe murmurs as I watch Margie exit outside. “Who is she?”
“She was my grandmother’s best friend, although she hated who Gram married. Margie was the only friend to stick by my gram and put up with him. When she got sick, Margie dropped everything for her…and for me. The two of us got through a hard time together.”
The sound of voices interrupts us, and we both turn to find the kids and their parents arriving. Gabe steps closer to me and wipes his palms along his jeans. He smiles and nods as people greet me and get their kids settled. Part of me wants to push him into the crowd and tell him to figure it out, much like my grandfather would have.
But I don’t want to be like him in any way and, as uncomfortable as it is for me to do this, I grab his hand and pull him along with me into the small group.
“Everyone, before I speak a little about grooming your animals, I’d like you to meet someone special.” Smiling at Gabe, I wrap an arm around his waist and pull him close. “This is my husband, Gabe. He’s new in town, and he’s also a lawyer, so I’m shamelessly promoting his services because he’s super good at what he does.”
The group claps, some congratulatory wishes float to us, and Gabe’s muscles relax. “You’re more than welcome to chat him up while I talk to the kids. Margie has her famous cookies under the tent, too. So you can stay while I talk to the kids or mingle…whatever you like.”
Gabe turns to me and lowers his voice. “Thank you.”
“Just keeping up my end of the deal. See the man in the overalls? He has a massive dairy farm, and his youngest son is getting ready to take over. He’s here with one of his grandkids. Go talk about baseball and slip him a card.”
With a nod, he slips away in his new rubber boots and chats with Mr. Bruce before they both head out to the tent.
Clapping my hands together, I wait for the kids to focus on me.
“Okay, gang. Listen up. Today, I’m showing you the different brushes and what they do and why it’s important to keep your animals brushed. Could be a calf or a rabbit, but they all need it. You ready?”
A chorus of yeses sounds, and for the first time in a very long time, I’m excited to be back in this meeting space and remember some of the best times of my childhood.
“Mr. Bruce is a die-hard Blue Jays fan. You should’ve warned me.” Gabe chuckles as he clears the table after our late dinner.
“I told you to talk baseball. That was your warning.”
“He thinks Bo Bichette isn’t good anymore because his hair was his secret. Like Sampson cutting his locks.” Gabe snort-laughs again while he loads the dishwasher. “I sort of agree with him and good news…he said he wants to discuss changes to his will and severing property.”
He snaps the dishwasher closed and beams a smile at me. “I owe you, Hunter. He seems like a well-connected guy. This could lead to more business.”
“You don’t owe me anything. In fact, I got the first advance from the trust today. So I guess they felt we met all the conditions of a genuine marriage.”
“That’s great news!”
“It is. Jackson and I are going to move forward with renovating the barn for rodeo clinics now that the property is settled. I can finally get this business started and do something with my life.”
Not that I’ve been a failure. Far from it, but I’ll always regret choosing to tie myself to my grandfather’s money rather than making my own way sooner. Rodeo was the only thing truly my own, but it wasn’t a huge money earner. I had plans, and thoseplans needed more than seasonal income and a mediocre rodeo stock-breeding business.
But this place…fuck, I couldn’t walk away.
Gabe remains silent as the water drains after I washed the dishes. I’ve enjoyed his company tonight. Dinner conversation wasn’t something I’d thought I’d crave, but it seems like I’ve missed it.
“Do you want to join me on the porch for a bit?”
I don’t want the evening to end, which is an odd feeling for me to have. Thankfully, Gabe agrees, and I don’t feel like an idiot for asking. The night is pleasantly warm, and even though the sun has set, there’s just something peaceful on the porch at night.
Gabe settles next to me on the porch swing, and we both laugh when the chains groan under our weight.
