Page 47 of For the Love of the Bull Rider

Tim walked onto the deck behind the house to see the flatbeds returning from the pastures. He was pretty sure he’d lost Matt to the activities at the ranch, so he went inside to finish making Ryan’s breakfast and packing his lunch box. Tim hoped he would have time to talk to his lover at lunch because it was going to be a huge distraction until they had some sort of agreement regarding the unexpected windfall.

He prepared a quick breakfast sandwich for the boy before picking up the mug of cocoa made in the new Keurig machine he’d purchased over the weekend, having dumped the old coffee maker he’d hated. He’d tell Matt a white lie about it shorting out or something, but getting rid of it was the right thing to do because it would likely cause a house fire someday.

Slow footsteps on the stairs caught Tim‘s attention and he turned in time to see Ryan trudging toward the kitchen with his backpack dragging behind him, still appearing to be half-asleep.

He felt bad for the boy. “I’ll give you a ride to the bus stop this morning because it’s so cold outside, and I don’t want you to get sick.” Ryan nodded as he ate his breakfast and sipped his cocoa, slowly waking.

“Crap.” Ryan was staring at the clock on the microwave. It was nearly time for the bus.

“Come on, Buddy. If you miss it, I’ll take you to school.” Tim wasn’t exactly unhappy to have a little extra time with Ryan if the opportunity presented itself.

They hurried out to the new truck Matt had insisted Tim drive instead of the old rust bucket that had been Uncle Josh’s. “I want you safe when you’re driving around, sweetheart. You and Ryan are the most important people in my world. I’ll always worry about you when you’re not with me, but now I’ll worry a little less.” Tim’s heart was touched, and knowing they hadn’t discussed the inheritance yet, Tim decided not to argue.

Tim and Ryan made it to the bottom of the drive just as the bus was stopping at the Morrow house. Ryan kissed Tim on the cheek and hopped out in time to flag down the bus at the end of the driveway.

Tim sat in the truck to watch the boy wave to him as he reached the top of the steps before the doors closed. As the bus moved up the hill on its way to school, Tim shut his eyes and made a Christmas wish of his own…Please don’t let anything happen to tear us apart.

After Ryan was safely on his way to school, Tim shifted the F-150 into reverse, turned around at the end of the drive, and directed the vehicle toward the barn. He stopped, however, to take a deep breath deciding he wasn’t ready to face Matt andhave the necessary discussions, considering the current bullshit circling their collective drain.

Thankfully, he had to meet Farris March, the designer Ronni Turnberry had suggested to do his aunt’s kitchen, so he had a solid excuse to leave the Circle C without it looking like he was dodging Matt.

After he appraised the improvements she made at the Katydid, he’d decide if she was suited to do work at the Circle C. The house desperately needed updating and decorating. He retrieved his phone to send Matt a text as the truck idled at the end of the driveway.

I forgot I have an appointment at the farm. I got Ryan on the bus. I’ll be back by lunch… I hope. Love u.

Tim made a detour down the drive toward the Katydid, hoping Aunt Katie wouldn’t pitch too much of a fit when his plans interfered with her day. He parked next to the barn and strolled inside, seeing Hank busy cleaning stalls.

“You need help?” Tim was eager for any sense of normalcy in the wake of all the changes in his life of late.

The foreman laughed. “Grab a shovel. The boys are out on the pasture feedin’ hay. Josh and Katie are up at the house waitin’ on some woman who called to tell ‘em she’s plannin’ to redo their kitchen, but I suspect you know somethin’ ‘bout that,millionaire-y,” Hank teased.

Tim looked down at the floor, feeling embarrassed because word at the farm had spread faster than he thought. “I guess Josh told you?”

Hank laughed a little before he walked over to Tim and pulled him into a hug. “Kiddo, you deserve the best. After all the shit you’ve been through in your young life, none of us would ever say ya didn’t deserve anything comin’ from that horrible family.We all still love ya. Get a damn shovel and help me out. We’re cleanin’ out all the sawdust and layin’ straw to help keep it warm down here for the horses.” Hank’s no-nonsense attitude brought a smile to Tim’s face because it didn’t seem to matter to the man. Hank was truly a role model at the farm.

Mickey Warren walked into the barn with a new mare Uncle Josh had bought. She was pregnant when she’d been purchased, so taking in her large belly led Tim to believe it was time for her to give birth.

“Well, well, look who’s finally come around for a visit. You here to observe, or work, or shoot the shit?” Mickey always had a lighthearted attitude that Tim appreciated.

He laughed at Mickey’s comment. “I’m here to clean some shit. Is she ready to deliver?”

Mickey led the mare to the birthing stall and released the lead from her halter. “She gives every indication she might be ready, but we didn’t really get to watch her through the pregnancy, so I’m just guessin’. It’s gonna be cold, ya know, so I brought her in just to be safe. Any objections?”

Tim shook his head, happy the man in front of him was of the same mind as the rest of the people who worked at the Katydid. They all had the animals’ best interests at heart.

“Okay, then, I’ll get the water while you get the hay. Go up to the house and get us a coupla blankets so we can watch her without freezin’ our asses off. Better send a text to your boyfriend that you won’t be home unless you’re gonna abandon your post,” Mickey challenged with a fucking-dare-you grin on his face.

Tim was a little offended by Mickey’s comment, so he didn’t hesitate to answer. “I’m not going to abandon the post, but I’m going to tell Uncle Josh to come down to check on her. He knows more about these horses than the two of us put together, no offense.” Tim headed toward the house.

Mickey Warren was really a great guy, but at times, it seemed that he wanted to challenge Tim’s judgment about the well-being of the animals at the Katydid. Tim was sure the cowboy was probably savvier than him regarding the welfare of the horses, but Tim wasn’t entirely stupid when it came to livestock.

He’d learned a few things over the years, and one of them was Uncle Josh needed to be present when a mare was foaling because he owned all of them. Mickey Warren needed to learn the lesson, too.

Tim ran up to the house, hurrying inside without taking off his boots. Aunt Katie gave him a withering look meant to turn him to salt, but as Uncle Josh walked into the kitchen, Tim said what he came to say. “That new mare, Maisy. She looks ready to foal. Mickey brought her into the barn, and I think you should come check on her.” As Tim finished his report, the front bell rang.

“For heaven’s sake,” Aunt Katie complained as she flipped Johnnycakes on the griddle.

“I’ll get it.” Tim hurried toward the front door to see a beautiful brunette with a large bag in her arms.

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