Page 56 of The Wedding Ranch
This was something he should’ve been doing all along. Every man needed a place to quiet thoughts and be grateful for all he had. He hadn’t focused on being grateful enough lately. This was a good place to do that.
He’d gotten all his hay baled and up in the barn yesterday so there wouldn’t be any farm equipment noise during this week’s events. Thank goodness the weather had held out to allow that to happen, else he’d have had to disappoint the twins, because although he wanted their business to flourish, he still had a farm to run.
Stepping his toe against the back of his left boot, he slid his foot out and then took off the other, standing them next to the front door. He pulled off his socks and laid them across the top of his boots.
Cell reception was lousy down here, so he removed the phone from his pocket and set it on the bar in the trailer, which was the only place he did get service.
He walked down to the water enjoying the tickle of the tallgrass beneath his bare feet. This region hadn’t had much rain, so the creek bed was low—a ripple over the smooth rocks that was noisier than normal.
Sun sparkled in dots of light in the shallow water as shiny minnows darted in and out from the bank looking for food before they became something else’s meal. The food chain. Some folks grimaced at the thought. He liked the order of it all.
A bird called from a nearby tree, and a busy woodpecker tapped a rhythm in the distance. He stepped into the chilly water, then bent forward to grab a handful, rubbing it behind his neck, cooling himself from the intense heat.
Later he’d bring Thunder down to walk the creek. Ryder liked the sound of the horse’s hooves slapping at the water with each step.
Trees on both banks arched from one side to the other, creating a canopy. It was cooler under the shade here. A good place for a break.
And there she was again. In his mind.Lorri.Invading his quiet time.
He wondered if she’d ever ridden a horse. They could trail ride most of the way down to the mill on the creek trail, then tie the horses at the fence and hike the rest. It would make for a longer day that way. But it was so much more peaceful on horseback than on the Ranger UTV.
Pump the brakes. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
He’d promised to show her the mill, not spend a whole day with her. Maybe he longed for companionship more than he’d realized.
Tomorrow the first guests would arrive to the wedding venue.If he was going to move horses down, he needed to go ahead and do it today. Unless something went wrong, or they needed an extra hand, he’d be staying out of the way down here. Better to have options. He climbed back in his truck and drove up to the barn to get the horses.
He rode Thunder down to the creek, ponying Dottie, a black-and-white paint that was more of a babysitter horse. Even if Lorri had never ridden she could ride Dottie.
He tied the horses to a picket line, then started the long walk back to get his truck. He’d made it as far as the tobacco barns when he saw the black town car pull in front of the barn. He stopped just out of sight and watched as Reece and Ross came into view to greet their guests. It seemed like yesterday the twins were six years old and getting ready for their first day of school in matching outfits. They didn’t need any help these days. They knew what they wanted, and were smart enough to make it happen.
He took the dirt path over to the barn then called Lorri. She answered on the first ring. “Lorri? Hey, it’s Ryder. You up for the old creek mill tour?”
“Sure, when were you thinking?”
“Tomorrow if that still works for you. I can pick you up at your house.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all, besides, I’d kind of like to meet that big dog of yours.”
She gave him the address. “It’s the fourth house on the left. Sage green. Last name’s on the mailbox too.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He disconnected the call, then dialed Joe. “Hey, man, can I get you to make a picnic lunch for two for pickup tomorrow at ten thirty?”
“Sure. What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion. Just lunch.”
There was a pause, but Ryder let it hang.
Finally, Joe asked, “How about a Tuscan Turkey and one Hammer, homemade pasta salad, a charcuterie tray, and a bottle of red?”
“A couple tall bottles of water too, please. And dessert.”
“I’ll have it ready.”
