Page 1 of The Cowboy of the Mountain

Chapter 1

Wyatt

It’s Saturday and I’m up before the sun. There are no days off on a working farm. Animals need to be fed and watered. Housing and fences inspected for damage. Head counts and health checks. Maintenance, maintenance, and more maintenance. And that’s the easy part—a routine that runs like clockwork from the moment I wake up until I finally fall asleep.

On top of that, there’s paperwork, financials, accounting, scheduling, and most importantly, parenting. The task list in my head and the dusty paper copy wedged in my back pocket are always incomplete and never-ending. Once one item is checked off, there’s another half dozen to take its place.

The most pressing: Find a new nanny.

It’s been a long time since Rosie left us, and I haven’t found a replacement. She’d been with me and Luke from the beginning, and it broke his heart to see her go. Broke mine too because I hate seeing my little guy upset, and Rosie’s like family to us. But her family needs her now and as much as I wish she could stay, I know it’s for the best.

None who have applied for the job have meshed with Luke. And even though it’s been difficult juggling childcare and running a farm full-time, Luke’s happiness is my priority.

But with summer break on the horizon, I can’t keep doing both unless Luke tags along with me all day. I wouldn’t mind having him but farm work can be a dangerous business for the most seasoned farmhands. Temperamental animals and even more temperamental equipment. Long hours and short breaks. There will be plenty of time for it when Luke’s older. I want him to be a kid for as long as possible.

The sun’s beginning to rise by the time I’m done with my morning rounds. I head back to the house with a carton of fresh eggs that I plan on turning into something special for Luke.

Oink greets me with a few soft grunts as I enter the kitchen. His little hooves click against the wood floor as he trots over to me.

I bend low, resting an arm on my knee as I give him a few scratches behind the ear. “Morning, Oink. Sleep well?”

He ought to. This little piggy sleeps on a bed that’s more comfortable than mine. Some kind of memory foam. Temperature regulated. I’m surprised it hadn’t come with an integrated massage device for the price I paid for it. But it was worth it to see the expression on Luke’s face when I tossed it into the cart. It was what Oink wanted, he’d said. It’s hard saying no to that kid. Oink too, I guess.

He grunts excitedly at me a few times before turning around and settling back into his bed. I’m not sure there’s a pig in this world who lives a better life than Oink.

I head to the refrigerator and then the pantry, grabbing a few more ingredients. It’s not long before I’m making headway on Luke’s favorite breakfast.

I’ve got a few pancakes on a plate by the time I hear the first creak at the top of the stairs. A few rapid footfalls later and Luke’s in the kitchen.

“Pancakes?” he squeals.

I glance at him over my shoulder. As he stands in the entryway to the kitchen, I swear he’s grown overnight. The last mark I made on the wall to track his height is at his ear, and the candy cane striped pajamas Rosie bought him for Christmas seem comically small on him even though he was swimming in them a few months ago. If not for the mark on the wall, I’d assume I’d shrunk them in the wash.

“It’s Saturday,” I say, turning back to the stove and flipping another one.

“But we have pancakes on Sunday.”

I pause for a few seconds as I nip softly at the inside of my mouth. “You’ll need all the energy you can get for your day with Uncle Reid and Aunt Daisy.”

“But you’re not coming this time.”

I bite a little harder, and then swallow, ladling more batter into the sizzling skillet. “I know, bud. But I’ll make it up to you.”

I grab a plate of pancakes and turn around. Luke’s at the table, sipping the glass of milk I’d set out for him.

“Are we getting a puppy?”

I snort. “Not enough animals on the farm for you to play with? What about Oink? I think he might get a little jealous if you start giving a new puppy all of your attention.”

Oink glances up at both of us from his bed. He hasn’t touched the bowl of food I’d left for him.

Luke shakes his head. “I think he’s lonely. I think he needs another friend.”

I scratch my head. He might be right. I’ve noticed a decrease in his energy levels. Tends to sleep more than he used to and refuses to come on hikes with us anymore.

“Think so?”

“Yeah. And since he can’t live with the other pigs, I think he’d like a puppy.”

---