Page 1 of Rowdy St. Nick

Chapter 1

Parker

I sip my coffee and take an extra moment to breathe in its wonderful smell, mingling with the warm October air and the aroma of leaves and grass. It’s not the same as summer smells, something about the slight drop in temperature makes it all feel different. The leaves still change in Texas, but not much else does. I’m good with that.

The morning sun isn’t quite up yet which is the perfect time for a gallop. I know the farm hands will take care of feeding the animals and mucking the stalls. I have other tasks to take care of, but not until after that ride. While it’s still that perfect temperature before dawn, the dim light is peaceful and quiet.

Before long, I’m galloping through the back 40 acres on Daisy and I’m reminded that this place was close to shutting down justa couple years ago. If it hadn’t been for Casie bringing life back to the dude ranch, Lone Star wouldn’t be here today. She’s a great boss, most of the time.

I slow Daisy so I can better inspect the back fence, another part of my work routine. Wild animals and the weather can sometimes cause breakages, and we need to make sure that everything is sound so the cows can graze out here. And the older horses.

I note the spots that need to be fixed. I’ll come back out when the sun crests over noontime. It’s already getting intense and it’s only a couple hours past sunrise. I head back with Daisy to get some breakfast and get to work on those spots at the fence.

When I put her up, I check in on Sugar, my brother’s horse who’s become kind of a Lone Star Dude Ranch celebrity. She’s a sweetheart and I have to admit I’m a bit protective over her.

“How you doing today, Sugar girl?” I pet her nose. “It’s a hot one today. I’ll make sure the hands give you a hose down, okay?”

She whinnies at me, and I reach into my pocket for my secret stash of carrots. She knows exactly what’s going on and gets excited before I can even reach out my hand to her. She takes the carrot and shakes her head at me in her stall.

“That’s all for now, Sugar girl. I’ll see you later, okay?”

She whinnies in answer, and I pet her nose one more time. Inside the main house, everyone is grabbing breakfast in thekitchen. Casie has a cook for most of the day who takes care of the major meals for all of us that live and work on the ranch. I have a kitchenette in my little cabin, but I like to see everyone and find out what’s going on for the day. Breakfast is always bustling, with the hands and other workers talking about their tasks for the day and communicating between each other.

“Hey Parker!”

People are greeting me left and right and I wave and greet them back while I pile eggs, bacon, and biscuits on my plate. And more coffee, of course. Always more coffee. I see Casie over at the table talking to Clay Walker, the town vet, and I head over to them. Was something wrong with one of the animals or is this a regular checkup visit?

“Hey Casie, Dr. Walker.” I sit down across from them with my plate and steaming coffee mug. “What’s up doc?”

I laugh at my own jokes but neither of them follow along. Seriously, I wonder sometimes if anyone gets my humor at all.

“Just here for the annual vaccine track.”

“Ah I see. It’s that time of year again.”

“Yep,” Clay has never been a man of many words.

“Did you see the breaks in the back fence?” Casie changes the subject.

“Yes, I did.” I dig into my eggs.

“And?”

I take my time chewing and swallowing, then take a sip of my coffee.

“I’ll fix it after I exercise the horses.”

“Please do,” Casie says, “I need to let the cows out there after lunch.”

“I’ll get to it.”

“Parker,” she narrows her eyes at me and I crunch down on a strip of bacon.

“Casie,” I narrow my eyes right back at her.

She breaks her stare first and I smile while I break apart a biscuit and put a big piece in my mouth. She can’t help but smile back and I chuckle with my mouth full.

“Nice,” she says, “just make sure it gets done.”

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