Page 11 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

Chapter 4

Piper

Mazyisabsolutelylovely,and Billy is very nice. My aunt would adore this place. It’s charming and cozy, despite it being untidy, which can be easily rectified. There’s a certain mystery to Billy, but I respect his privacy, so I don’t probe. It’s more than his folks challenging him that’s hardening him, I’m sure of it. But it isn’t my business to figure it out. He’s being kind enough to hire me and take me riding, which is more care than anyone’s extended to me in a while. So, I just sit back and enjoy it. Billy takes us into the pasture, as we walk by the area where the new house is being built, but far enough away that we’re not near any hazards for Mazy or for us.

“What’s wrong with the ranch house?” I ask.

“It’s old and in serious disrepair. I bought this ranch for the land, not for the house itself. It’s a fantastic piece of land, but the original owner never kept the house up, and when he died, his family sold it for peanuts. That’s when I upped and grabbed it. Struck while the iron was hot.”

“Did your folks give you money for it?”

He chuckles mirthlessly. “No, not on your life. I hadn’t spent barely any of my income from the military, and when I got hurt, I got a settlement. It was just enough to buy this place, with some to spare for the renovations. My brother’s my accountant, and he’d been investing some of my money, too, but my folks don’t know about that.”

“And he keeps your secrets from your folks?”

“He’s the only one, but yes. My other siblings suck up to my folks, on account of the family business. That’s how come they’re so upset with me. I didn’t want to go into the textile business.”

“And did you want to join the military, or was that just in desperation?”

His voice raises an octave higher. “Naw, I wanted to do it. My granddad used to tell me stories from when he was in the military. It was fascinating. And then I had more reason when I knew I couldn’t go to school unless I did it on my parents’ dime and under their conditions.”

After taking a moment to digest, I say. “Gosh, you and I are such similar creatures, Billy.”

“I suppose we are.” He changes the subject. “How’s your behind feeling? Sore yet?”

“No, not at all.”

“Well, you’ll be feeling that tomorrow, darlin’. You’d best sit on some ice for a while before bed.”

“I’ll be fine. Been through way worse.”

“I get that, darlin’, but after your first ride, all the bones in your bottom will be bruised. Don’t matter how big or small you are, we’ve all got the bones, and they’ll smart real bad if y’all don’t ice them.”

“Okay. I’ll take it under advisement.”

“Good girl.” He says on exhale. “Well, what do you say we head into the brush there for a while, before it’s completely dark?”

“Sure.”

He makes a noise with his mouth, like a clucking sound, and the horse picks up the pace slightly. “You okay going a little faster? Just until we get past this clearing?”

“Yes, but thanks for asking. This is wonderful.”

“Yeah? You think you might want to learn how to ride?”

“I’d love to. I always wanted to learn. Once, I even had a pair of cowboy boots and a hat. I used it for Halloween one year, and then they went missing, but it was fun.”

“Not to worry. We’ve got a guy in town that does all that for next to nothing. I can set you up. Go in to Harold’s in town and tell him you work for me. He’ll give you a set for half price.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks.”

“I send him a lot of business. He’ll be sending me a lot, too, so it’s the least that I can do.”

“When do you think you’ll start doing riding lessons?”

“Well, I was thinking to wait until the new house is up.”

I look over at him. “Why wait? If Mazy loves riding as much as you say she does, it would do her some good. Besides, what’s the difference if the house is up or not? You’ve got the ranch house. With a little cleaning, it’ll be as good as new, and my friend will have it sparkling.”

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