Page 92 of When It Reins
In the tack room are Mick and CT, other members of the club, and wranglers from the ranch.
In the stalls at the other end of the barn are my two brothers and whoever is left over. We have two people outside hiding to keep a lookout and grab him if they can. We are well covered, and there is no way that he is going to be slipping through our hands this time.
Still, I am antsy. I want to get this over with and go home, or wherever Juniper wants to be. Since my cabin was blown to pieces, I am assuming we’ll be at her apartment for a while.
That is, if she wants me there.
If not, I am gladly going to be sleeping on the stairs outside of her place for as long as I have to.
She is my priority, and I need to keep showing her that.
Despite the silence in the barn, I can feel Cal Trevors watching me. I don’t know Cal well anymore. We are two people who love the same group of people, but since I’ve been back, he’s given me nothing more than a slap on the back in greeting.
He is the type of guy you want to like you.
Or maybe that is just my feelings about the situation.
Growing up, he was like a surrogate uncle for us. Our families were all really close. I have my Uncle Earl, and he was great to us boys, always taking us places with his family when our mom couldn’t get out of work.
There is something about Cal Trevors that I am drawn toward. Maybe because he raised boys himself, and I got to witness what it was like to see a dad actually give a shit about his sons.
We certainly never had that.
“What do you think? You think things will settle down around here after this?” Cal’s questions surprise me, and I blink before looking back over at him and shrug.
“No idea. You got a lot of single wranglers on this ranch. I’m guessing you’re just getting started.”
Cal chuckles and nods his head. “You may be right about that. Keeps things entertaining at least.”
I nod my head, assuming the conversation is over when Cal surprises me. “It’s funny. I didn’t think my boys settling down and getting this ranch running again was going to be so lively.”He sighs and says, “I never thought we’d get the spirit of this place back after my Donna died.”
I stay silent, thinking back to Mrs. Trevors, or Donna, as she liked everyone to call her. She was a lady who brought out happiness in everyone. She was sweeter than anyone I’d ever met and made everyone feel like family.
She was also one of my mom’s good friends and best friends with my Aunt Sandra.
“But you boys all proved me wrong. Not just with finding good girls to be with and bringing wranglers in, but keeping life exciting.” I wasn’t sure how much Cal knew about the troubles we’ve had the past few years, but I nodded my head again, letting him talk. “I know all you boys have dealt with things, one way or another. I’ve seen you boys pull through, even when you’ve been tested past your limits. I’ve seen the girls you all picked pull themselves off the ground and keep going.”
Cal lets out another sigh and says, “Finding women like that, ones who handle the ranch lifestyle and stick by your side, no matter what you’ve done, is something to hold on to.”
“You saying you did some bad things, Mr. Trevors?”
Cal chuckles and says, “Oh boy, nothing I’ll ever admit to.” I smirk and grab a piece of hay, running it through my hands. “My Donna knew what I did to keep this place and still stuck by me.”
For a few minutes, we sit in silence as I think about all the shit I’ve done in my life. I haven’t been saintly, that’s for sure, but I am done with that kind of life. Right after I handle Aaron, that is.
“You’re dating Thea’s sister, yeah? Juniper?”
“Yes, sir,” I say freely.
“Hell of a voice on that girl,” he comments, and I nod my head.
“She’s incredible.” Hell, even thinking about her voice puts a chill down my spine.
“I heard Felicity talking about her going on the road,” Cal says nonchalantly, like he isn’t trying to dig into my personal life.
I would give him the answers pretty willingly, because I know this man has no ill will toward me or Starling.
“Yeah,” I answer.
