Page 5 of His Fresh Start Cowboy
“Congrats, man, I mean it,” Hugo said.
“Thanks. Susie is the best, and we’ve been trying for a second kid but no luck so far. Which is okay, with the ranch struggling like it is. Shelby is a waitress and survives on tips, so money can be tight sometimes.”
“I’m sorry things are hard, money-wise.” Hugo had been very lucky in that free rent on the Clean Slate cabin and meals had been part of his pay arrangement, so he’d been able to tuck some cash away for a rainy day. Not everyone was so lucky, and he would never rub that in Rem’s face. Hugo knew what it was like to struggle to pay his bills, like most people his age.
“Tale of most farmers these days. Big corporations keep taking over, so the little guy gets shafted. But Brand...he’s doing a good job. Dad believes in him and so do I. He’ll keep us going for at least another generation.”
Hugo fought back a flinch, unable to stop a flash of his mother’s face the day they sold their herd and land. The devastation and loss of her grandparents’ legacy. While part of his heart was okay with the herd being sold to Wayne Woods, the other part ached knowing her land had been turned into a housing subdivision.
“Shit, dude, I’m sorry,” Rem said. “I forgot what happened to your mom’s ranch.”
“It was half a lifetime ago, don’t worry about it.” More than half. Almost two-thirds, but whatever. And it was a good time for a conversation switch. “So how is Brand?”
“The perfect workaholic. His entire life is about the ranch, except for the occasional night he goes to the Roost for booze and to flirt with Ramie.”
Hugo knew the bar but he tried to place the other name and failed. “Ramie?”
“Yeah, Rachel Marie Edwards. She was a year ahead of Brand in school, I think. She bartends there, and they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately.”
He tamped down on a well of cold jealousy. “They a thing?”
“Not sure.” Rem turned left onto the state road that would eventually take them to Weston. “He never brings her around so it’s hard to know what they’re up to, but he’s way overdue for a nice girl in his life. Can’t remember Brand ever really dating, other than Ginny Something-or-other his junior year. And he took SueEllen Hurley to his senior prom, but that didn’t last long, either.”
Rem changed subjects faster than greased lightning, and he nattered on for a while about his two younger sisters, Sage and Leanne, and their husbands and kids. Hugo got quite the history lesson of the extended Woods clan on the long drive, which was fine, because he’d be up to speed with folks he hadn’t seen in nearly a decade.
He’d already spoken to Elmer over the phone about the fifth-wheel, but it didn’t occur to Hugo until right then that he needed a way to get from Elmer’s property to the ranch every work day. He’d never owned a car. Hell, he hadn’t learned how to drive until he was twenty, because he’d been desperate for the independence.
“We’re going to your house?” Hugo asked dumbly.
“Sure. I mean, it’s almost dinnertime, so I figured you’d want to hang for Sunday supper and get to know the family again. It’ll probably just be me, my parents and Brand, but still.”
“Okay, sure.” He’d have to face Brand again eventually, and maybe it would be less awkward with his family around. They wouldn’t have to talk about the past and that kiss. “You know, I just realized I have no idea how to get from Elmer’s trailer to the ranch for work. It’s not like I could pack a car in my luggage.”
Rem laughed. “No worries, dude. I’ve got a scooter you can use until you get yourself a car or whatever.”
“A scooter?”
“Yeah. It’s not the fastest thing ever, but it’s better than a bicycle. I picked it up cheap at an auction, fixed it up, and it runs great. Unless you wanna walk.”
“No, thanks, the scooter sounds great, thank you.”
Rem shot him a familiar shit-eating grin. “It really does feel like old times, having you back. Your parents know you’re here?”
Hugo swallowed back the urge to say that Frank was his stepfather, not his parent, but Rem was likely referring mostly to Hugo’s mother, Joanne. “Not yet. I want to get settled in first. Not just the trailer but with my new job. Going back to rustling cattle is a far cry from wrangling tourists on a dude ranch.”
“I know. Brand and I actually spent a week’s vacation out at Clean Slate once, but that must have been before you signed on.”
“It was. Honestly, it took me a while to figure out who Colt was, and when I did I couldn’t make myself say anything.”
“Dude, I get it.” Rem knuckled him lightly on the shoulder. “But as one former best friend to another, I’m proud of you for coming back. Dunno if I’d have been so brave.”
“Yeah, you would. But you also wouldn’t have had to because you have a pretty amazing family. Two parents who love you and four siblings who protect you, instead of pounding on you every chance they get.”
Rem passed the car in front of them, then set the cruise control and relaxed a bit into his seat. They still had a bit of a drive ahead. “Do you know about Buck now?”
Hugo went rigid. “What about him?” Had something changed?
“He’s been up the river these last few years, serving time in state prison for assaulting a law officer.”
