Page 15 of Saddles and Snowstorms
As we exited the stall, another man appeared at the barn entrance. He was older, with short gray hair and the weathered face of someone who’d spent a lifetime under the Texas sun.
“Everything alright in here?” he called out, his voice carrying the same drawl as Beau’s, but deeper, more seasoned.
“Dad,” Beau nodded. “This is Dr. Walsh, the new vet. He’s taking care of Willow. Looks like she’s gonna be okay.”
The older man strode toward us, offering me a firm handshake. “Jack Montgomery Turner. Pleasure to meet you, Doc. Sorry about the circumstances.”
“Rowan Walsh,” I replied, impressed by the strength in his grip. “And don’t worry about it. Horses get into things they shouldn’t all the time.”
Jack looked past me to where Willow was now standing quietly in her stall. “That mare’s been nothing but trouble since the day she was born. Just like her owner.” He shot Beau an affectionate glance that spoke volumes about their relationship.
“I’ve heard that comparison already,” I said with a smile.
Jack’s eyes shifted to Lucas, and a knowing smirk crossed his weathered face. “I see you’ve met my future son-in-law too. Man’s got more sense than my boy, that’s for damn sure.”
“Dad,” Beau protested, his cheeks flushing pink.
“What? It’s true,” Jack said, slapping Lucas on the shoulder. “If it weren’t for him, half this place would’ve gone under by now. Marketing genius, this one.”
Lucas grinned, clearly comfortable with the older man’s praise. “Just doing what I can to help modernize things a bit. The vacation rentals are already paying for themselves.”
“That was your idea?” I asked, genuinely impressed. “They look great from what I could see driving in.”
“All him,” Beau nodded, pride evident in his voice. “City boy shows up and within six months has us turning a profit on land that was just sitting empty.”
I couldn’t help but notice the way Beau looked at Lucas—like he’d hung the moon and stars. It was sweet and made my chest ache with a familiar longing.
“And thanks to Beau’s prize-winnin’ barbecue, we got a bit of a head start,” Jack said, patting his son on the shoulder. He turned back to me. “Speakin’ of which, that’s what we’re having tonight. We’re doin’ a big cookout for the guests, and we’d love for you to join us since you had to come out after hours.”
“I… I don’t want to impose,” I said, shaking my head.
“Nonsense!” Jack replied. “We’d love to have you, and we always make too much! Unless you’ve got other clients tonight that you need to see.”
“No. It was just you. And I have leftovers in the fridge, so I shouldn’t?—”
“Well, that settles it,” Jack said, cutting me off. “If Mabel found out I let the new vet go home to cold leftovers, she’d turn me out of the house. Now you have to stay.”
I glanced over at Beau and Lucas. Lucas smiled, shaking his head. “Just give in. He won’t take no for an answer.”
“Well,” I said with a big sigh and a shrug. “Where’s this barbecue at?”
“That’s the spirit!” Jack grinned, clapping me on the back. “The boys’ll show you where everything’s at and where you can get washed up. I’m on beer fetchin’ duty.”
With that he walked off toward one of the smaller barns near the cabins. People were already gathering down there, taking seats at the picnic tables and looking out toward the western sky where the sun was getting low on the horizon. Despite the overcast weather, there were still reds and golds poking through as the sun began to set.
“Come on,” Lucas said, patting me on the shoulder. “Let’s get you cleaned up and get you fed. Then you can tell us all about yourself.”
I just smiled, happy after nearly a month in Sagebrush that I was no longer alone. A man needs gay friends. As much as I loved Dolly, it just wasn’t the same.
“I’m glad there’s at least a couple of us in town,” I said, following the pair of them toward the house.
Lucas glanced back over his shoulder with a chuckle. “There’s more than that,” he replied. “Sagebrush is a lot gayer than you’d expect.”
Chapter 6
Rowan
Another day, another lame horse. I’d gotten the call first thing Sunday morning, before the sun had even come up. When I left my apartment, there was frost clinging to the grass as the first rays of sun broke over the horizon. My breath clouded in front of me as I walked to the truck. There was a definite bite in the air that didn’t feel quite like Texas. But the sky was clear, and the sun felt warm on my cheek. Hopefully it would warm up a little before I got to the ranch.
