Page 72 of Doozer

“Okay,” I edged out.

“Except for that one there,” he said, pointing to a large black and white horse. “That’s Bubba.”

“Is he the king stud or something?” I asked.

“Well, ya see, ya might not know it by lookin’ at ’em, but horses are very social animals. And some horses get sorta attached to other horses. Not necessarily a breeding pair, mind you. Just a bond between two animals that makes ’em easier to deal with as a pair rather than alone. Bubba and Penny over there have just such an arrangement. If Bubba is around, Penny is calm.”

“Your horse has an emotional support horse?”

“I guess you could say that,” Duke said with a chuckle.

“Carson said this used to be a cattle ranch.”

“That’s right. But the Double H has been in the horse racket since my daddy died and me and Pearl took over the place. I still keep a small head of cattle for milk, beef, and the occasional trade or sale. And as much as I’d hate to admit it, a little bit for old time’s sake. Like ol’ Hank Junior said, ‘It’s a family tradition,’” Duke sang out.

“Why the change? Is there more money in horses than cattle?”

“Shit no,” Duke laughed. “But I guess you could say that I didn’t have much interest in following in my daddy’s bootsteps.”

“I get that,” I said.

“I take it your daddy isn’t in an MC?”

I chuckled. “Not exactly. He’s a lawyer. Orwasa lawyer until last year when he retired.”

“A lawyer?” Duke exclaimed.

“My sisters, and my uncle too. Pretty much, everyone except me.”

“I threw hell at Bird all night about being a lawyer within a family of lawyers, and you didn’t say nothin’ the whole time.”

“You think I was gonna sign up to face that firing squad?”

“Smart kid,” Duke replied with a tip to his trucker cap.

“Plus, like I said. I’m not looking to follow my father’s path any more than you.”

“How ’bout you help me get the branding gear out of the back of Maxine and you can fill me in on the path youareon.”

Even though Duke was virtually a stranger to me, I found him easy to talk to, even about the personal stuff I didn’t talk to anybody about.

“Can I ask you a question first?”

“So long as you understand I have a fifty-fifty chance of being full of more horse shit than that pasture over there,” Duke said, motioning to the herd.

“I don’t mean any disrespect, or to sound like I’m ungrateful for your hospitality, but you seem to care a lot about someone you just met. What’s up with that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m just not used to people I don’t know asking me questions. You and Pearl seem really nice and Minus speaks highly of you, so I guess I’m just trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing here.”

“I didn’t mean to pry, it’s just that when a Saint shows up on my door it’s for a reason. From what I understand you won’t be staying with us for long, so I suppose I’m trying to figure out why the hell you’re here as well.” Duke laughed heartily, throwing him into a coughing fit.

“You okay?” I asked as Duke struggled to catch his breath.

“I’ll be alright,” Duke said, regaining his composure. “I’ll tell you, son. This gettin’ old thing is for the birds,” he said, motioning to the back of Maxine. “Help me get the gear out, will ya.”

Duke dropped Maxine’s tailgate, revealing a folding table with two chairs, and a black medical bag.

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