Page 78 of Piece Of Me

He rode back to the ranch house at a good clip and once he cooled down his horse, Bandit, and turned him out to the paddock, Taz hung up his tack. He’d noted Mike Paul’s rig by the barn where they’d quarantined the horse Angel had brought back Monday, so he headed over there first.

May as well see how the rescue was doing.

Then he’d get drunk.

Mike Paul was hosing off his boots when Taz walked inside. He gave a nod. “He’s looking good. You might want to get the farrier out sooner than later, but other than that when his quarantine time is up you can turn him out. His bloodwork came back all clear.”

“Did you check on the mare and colt?” Taz asked.

“Yep. The little guy’s legs are good. Sound.”

The two men watched the large work horse as he buried his head in a pile of sweet alfalfa. His name was King, and his impressive size made it an apt description. His neck was scarred from a heavy yoke and years of service, and he was thin. They needed to fatten him up.

“You gonna rehome or keep this one?” Mike Paul asked, leaning against the stall.

“He’s home,” Taz replied. “After all those years of hard work he deserves this place.” He glanced at his friend. “You got time for a beer?”

Mike Paul snorted. “I don’t, but it’s so damn hot I’ll make time.”

The two men headed for the house and Mike Paul continued on to the backyard while Taz grabbed a couple cold beers and a bag of chips from the cupboard. He joined Mike Paul and the two of them munched on sour cream & onion, while sipping from cold longnecks. Any other day, this would be a fitting end, but Taz couldn’t see the bright side in anything at the moment, and he scowled, stretching out his legs.

“If my mama was here, she’d tell you to turn that frown upside down.” Mike Paul raised his bottle and took a good long sip. “Want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“It’s not good to bottle stuff up.”

He glared at his friend.

“What?” Mike Paul said, his expression comical. “It’s what my therapist told me.”

“You’re seeing a shrink?”

“Hell no. I’m talking about the new bartender at the Sundowner. Candy, I think her name is. She’s good.” He nodded and flashed a smile. “Knows her shit.”

“Yeah? And what does she say about your situation?

Mike Paul’s grin slowly died. “You don’t want to know.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“She told me to move on.”

“Christ, I told you that.”

“I can’t.” Mike Paul sighed and kicked at the ground. “I figure one of these days Ivy and I will be in the same room at the same time, and she won’t be able to avoid me, and we can have at it.”

“That doesn’t sound like much of a plan.”

“It’s all I got.” Mike Paul sat up. “Girls are gone?”

“At my mom’s.”

Mike Paul checked his phone and then drained his beer. He got to his feet. “I’m headed over to Johnny’s. You didn’t respond to the group chat, but you should come. It’s better than sitting here feeling sorry for yourself.”

Socializing wasn’t high on his list of things to do, but he gave his buddy a nod. “I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t take all night. Johnny’s been marinating steaks since yesterday and I hear that Lacey is making her potato salad.”

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