Page 31 of Tusks & Saddles
“I should go,” Boone murmured.
“Honey?” Gracie’s husband, a man that Boone could not for the life of him remember the name of, called out.
“Oh, Will, you gotta come see the boys, they’re so cute. Boone, take the girls back to the Ranch; I’ll bring Will back once I’m done talking her ear off!” Gracie waved him off, tugging Will away from him. Boone watched his girl spare him no look as Gracie absorbed all of her attention. Boone sighed with relief as he climbed up onto his saddle and urged Kaffa on with Betty at his side.
It’s not that he didn’t like Gracie, he did…she just was a lot. She talked fast, asked a bunch of questions, and was endlessly bubbly. Gracie was exhausting, but he liked that Will found her comforting.But then again, I guess Jacobus is my Gracie.He couldn’t help the smile on his lips as the horses wove through town. While Will and Gracie talked, he had time to check on Jacobus and see if the things on his list were done. The ride back to the ranch was nowhere as long as the walk, as Kaffa seemed extra enthusiastic to get back home. He couldn’t blame her.
However, as they came upon the giant sign with ‘Last Chance’ burned into the oakwood, he knew instantly that Jacobus had been busy. There was a small crowd of ranch hands and other crew, allgoing about afternoon preparations. The fence was finished, the cattle that were staying there for another year or breeding were out in the pasture grazing, and there was a certain liveliness to the ranch that made the tension in his shoulders ease. Boone let Kaffa slow down to justlookat everything while he also took it in.
“Boone!” Jacobus called out from the other end of the ranch. He waved a hand enthusiastically before rushing up the gravel road. Both legs looking just fine and that big smile on his face.
“Jacobus,” he chuckled, hopping off Kaffa. She didn’t seem fazed, continuing to walk on with Betty at her side. The pair of horses meandered after the stable where Roger stood at the front, clearly untangling Killer from his stuff. Boone and the eager daemon shared a quick hug, both patting each other on the back.
“Damn, you’re dusty.” Jacobus wiped his sweaty palms off on his jeans.
“We took the train back home.” Boone shrugged. It wasn’t uncommon to be dusty in Irongarde regardless.
“I heard! What happened?”
“What happened to me? What happened to you?” Boone nodded toward the house. The pair walked in tandem with each other. “I see you adhered to the honey-to-do-list.”
“I did!” Jacobus laughed, elbowing Boone.
“I’m glad, was it enough?”
“More than enough, thank you.” Jacobus wiggled his eyebrows at Boone before pointing out to the fields. “It let me bring the boys on full time for the slow season, fixed the fence, got her that new doorwith a lock.”
Jacobus chortled to himself before he continued down the list of things he accomplished. Between him and the ranch hands hebrought back onto pay roll, Jacobus really got the ranch in order. Boone was proud. Actually proud. He threw an arm around Jacobus quickly before giving the kid a noogie. Jacobus cried out, trying to swat his hand off his head. It only ended with Boone holding him by the forehead at an arm’s length, cackling as Jacobus tried to swing at him.
“I’m proud of you, Kid.” Boone ruffled Jacobus’ hair once more before turning back to the house. “Looks good.”
“Oh…and there’s one more thing.”
“What’s that?” Boone nodded his chin toward the stable, finding Betty and Kaffa at the doors, playing tug of war with some rope while Levi tried and failed to get it from them.
“I quit drinkin’.” Jacobus confessed and Boone kept his focus on the horses. He didn’t want to spook Jacobus, so he hummed in acknowledgement. Jacobus continued with a sigh, “I haven’t had a single one since you left.”
“Good,” Boone added.
“I don’t know how long I can hold out. But I want to try.”
Boone finally glanced at Jacobus. His best friend stared dead ahead, a somber look on his face. Boone nudged him with an elbow. When Jacobus finally met his eye, Boone offered him a small smile. “Don’t worry, you just need a little purpose. I’ll keep you busy.”
“You’re not about to make me a Paladin, are you?” Jacobus blanched.
Boone rolled his eyes, shoving Jacobus away from him affectionately. “No.”
Jacobus snickered the whole way to the stable. While they put the horses away and Boone made sure that Kaffa got her rewards forbeing brave, he started a whole new list. Jacobus, it seemed, was good with a list. Because that’s how he needed to be loved and supported. And Boone was willing to be the one who made the lists if it made his best friend’s burden just a little lighter.
Chapter Seventeen
Willamina
“Alright, Will, what’s up?” Gracie whispered as the pair walked through the dusty nighttime air. She’d packed a bag to stay at Will’s house for the night, not wanting to have to walk all the way back home. While she could just shed her skin and wolf out, Gracie tried not to do that after the sheriff tranquilized her when they were teens. Plus, once the babies were a little older, Gracie intended to move their little family back onto the ranch. It gave Will time to fix up the cabin on the right side of the horse pasture.
“Nothing,” she lied.
“Willamina Jones, if you don’t stop lyin’ to my face I swear I will bite you right now,” Gracie threatened as she crossed her arms over her chest.
