Page 47 of Nate

“Oh, I plan to.” Beau walked out of the barn.

Nate sent a text to Markie.

Six o’clock Saturday.

That sounds good. I’ll see you then.

Yes, you will.Nate hung up.

He headed toward the indoor corral when he heard the men shouting. He knew one of the colts needed to be broke. A chore he never liked doing, but he had many times. He stepped up to the corral, put his foot on the bottom rail, folded his arms on the top one. He chuckled when one of the ranch hands flew through the air when the horse bucked him off, but Nate groaned with the rest of them when he hit the sawdust covered ground.

“I’m glad I don’t have to do that anymore,” Jobe said from beside him.

“You and me both.”

“Every time he gets bucked off and hits the floor, my bones start hurting.”

“Hell, Jobe, you’re only thirty.” Nate chuckled.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t remember that pain. Any luck with filling Bart’s position?”

“I have quite a few interviews set up starting tomorrow. Some look promising.”

“That’s good. As long as they know what they’re doing.”

“I’ll make sure, and I’ll check references.” Nate slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll be in my office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nate walked back toward his office, entered and got back to work.

****

After work, Markie walked out the front door with Tess.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m going to The Feed Store, then I’ll get the kitten.”

“Have you named her yet? The people who dropped her off never told us her name.”

“Not yet. I’m sure something will come to me. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Alright.” Tess smiled then walked to her SUV.

Markie walked around to the alley, climbed into her vehicle, and then drove to The Feed Store.

She parked in the lot, stepped out, and entered the store, immediately taking in the smells of feed and leather. Old metal signs hung on the walls, and the worn hardwood floor showed years of wear. She loved it.

Taking a shopping cart, Markie looked around and saw signs hanging above the aisles, then headed to the pet section. She was hoping they sold the self-cleaning cat litter boxes. It’s not that it bothered her to change it, but she worked every day and going home to a dirty litter box just did not appeal to her in the least.

When she reached the section, she put a case of cat food in the cart, picked out a collar, a few toys, bowls and a crate, then looked for the litter and the boxes. She smiled when she saw the self-cleaning ones.

“Ma’am? Do you need some help?” a young man asked her.

“I want one of those self-cleaning cat litter boxes. I don’t think I can reach it without bringing everything else on the top shelf down.”

The man grinned at her. “I’ll get it for you. Which one?”

She pointed out the one she wanted, and he lifted it down for her.

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