Page 12 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“I suppose you’re right. And it’s awful kind of you to do that. Set your friend up to clean the place, I mean.”

I wave. “Oh, you’re actually doing her a favor, trust me. She’s been looking for casual work and she can’t stand the thought of working in fast food. She’d love this place, and you would never know that she’s even here. She’s as quiet as a church mouse.”

“Well, then, that’ll leave more time for you to fix my books.”

“Absolutely. I’ll have them as straight as a pin in no time.”

He chuckles, unconvinced. “You haven’t seen them all yet, I’m afraid. I haven’t touched a thing since Trixie left without notice.”

“Why would anyone do a thing like that?”

He shrugs. “She found something better. Something that pays more. Her boyfriend found her a job in Dallas. But that’s not what you’ll hear around town, mind. No, everyone’ll tell you that I drove her away, see. That I was unbearable. A horrible boss. That’s how come she left without notice.”

I sigh quickly. “Billy, that’s one thing I learned real fast in life. I don’t always believe what I hear. Actions speak louder than words, and I wouldn’t give any comments in that regard a second thought.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” He says, with some of the clout removed from his tone. “I’m not the most popular rancher in town, that I can tell you. Most people glare at me when I walk by.”

“Then they’re fools. They haven’t given you a chance.”

“Most have, actually. You’d be surprised at my temper.”

“Well, if you’d grown up in my house, you’d be used to an ill temper. Both my folks were fiery and nasty, even when I was a child. That’s how come I grew a thick skin. One of my professors was nasty, too, but I found common ground with him, and he turned out and gave me an A plus for that course. It’s all about finding the sweet spot with people.”

“Guess that’s how come I do better with kids. That’s how come I want to teach kids to ranch and to ride. Like my uncle did. Like my granddad.”

I place a hand on his back. “You’ll do great. Look how quickly you got me on this horse. And I don’t believe any of that crap about you being ill tempered, either.”

“Thanks. You’ll learn.” He chuckles.

We start to trot faster, and I feel exhilarated, wanting to go even faster, but I’m so scared that Mazy will hurt herself or the baby. Billy’s thighs are against mine, and you would think that that would be awkward, but it’s not. If he wasn’t being a gentleman, it might be different, but he is. I’m not used to being this close to a man, but it isn’t uncomfortable at all. Not even the fact that he’s my boss. That doesn’t change anything. But I try not to overthink it, and I acknowledge that this is, in fact, a horse ranch, and Billy did point out that if I’m to work here, that I’ll at least know how to mount a horse.

“You see this clearing?” Billy asks, pointing to the parcel of land in front of us.

“Of course.”

“Someday I’d like to build a resort or something here. Once the ranch is up and running and fruitful, of course. I think it would be nice to have people come and stay here, or they can just come for riding lessons, or both. I’ve also got a little stream inside the brush, where you can fish, and I want to build a small campsite there, too, for those that want a more rustic getaway.”

“Those are great ideas, Billy. I love the sound of all of them. And this place would be perfect for that. You’re far enough from the highway that it’s quaint and quiet, and close enough to the center of town that people could come and sightsee, too.”

“Yeah, the only trouble is my reputation around town. If anyone stops anywhere and asks about me, I’m sunk.”

“What about if you hold a fundraiser or something? Make people see the good in you again. Heck, even a car wash could probably do it, Billy. But a fundraiser would also be a great way to get the word out about the ranch and the riding lessons.”

“Who’s going to come work here, though.” He comments. “Everyone in town hates me. I had to outsource my builders, and my last assistant couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here. The only reason why you don’t know me is because you were away at school.”

The hairs on my arms stand up. “How did you know that?”

“Because you told me.”

I think about it for a moment. “O...Okay.” I hesitate.

“What’s wrong?”

“No. Nothing.”

“Y’all thought I was a stalker or something.”

The word just makes the hairs on my arms stand up. It’s the other reason why I came back here, and I’m finishing my education online and at night school. But I don’t want to be a burden, and most of all, I don’t want anyone to know about my problems. I can handle it, and I have been, since it happened. “No, not at all.” I lie.

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