Page 47 of My Cowboy Freedom
Chapter 12
Rock
That morning, I helped Elena get breakfast ready, not only for our guys but also for the neighbors who would be coming to help. We scrambled dozens of eggs, browned off bunches of Elena’s homemade chorizo, and oven-roasted a wagonload of potatoes to wrap in big, soft flour tortillas. We made bowls of salsa fresca and sliced a couple dozen avocados.
The boss asked me to help load up the horses while the hands ate. Tired of listening to the hands tell Skyler all about this big adventure he was about to go on, I was grateful for the work. It was still dark out. We led the horses to the trailers one at a time, and put them inside.
“I thought Ogre’d be a good fit for Sky.” The boss led the gelding out to the truck. “What do you think?”
“What kind of rider is he?” I don’t ride, but I like horses a lot. Maisy’s not afraid to be around them and they mostly ignore her, so I fill in at the barn sometimes.
“He’s rusty, but he’s a fair horseman. Ogre won’t be too much for him.” Chandler grinned. “Better not tell Sky how Ogre got his name. “
Ogre was epically flatulent. I wrinkled my nose. “I’ll bet it won’t take him long to figure it out.”
The boss’s smile was genuine, but then concern filled his eyes. “Sky asked about you some.”
As soon as I saw his expression I knew I didn’t want to hear this. “What’d you say?”
“I told him about your accident. Why you need Maisy.”
“Aw, man.” Didn’t anyone get that I could talk for myself? “I’d rather you didn’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“The preemptive strike. The second someone even looks at me, it’s like you have to vet them, to make sure it’s okay for us to play together. I wish you and Elena would treat me like a regular employee.”
“Elena and I are only looking out for you.”
“By telling people what they’re getting themselves into with me up front? You make it sound like anyone who hangs around me is going to need a medical degree to—”
“Now you wait just a gosh darn minute. I only told Sky what I’m going to tell you right now. I expect my hands to keep their focus on running this ranch. His job is to work cattle. He ain’t going to have time to entertain you.”
“Entertain—” I clenched my hands. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Elena says you’ve taken a shine to Skyler, and that’s only normal, under the circumstances. There ain’t a lot of men your age around and you were a stranger here at one time too. But Skyler needs this job, and if he’s spending time with you, he’s not going to be able to do it very well, is he?”
Fury built up in me. “So I can’t talk even to the hands now?”
“How’s that?” The boss tipped his hat back and stared like I was speaking in tongues. “I never said you couldn’t talk to the hands. I’m asking you not to monopolize Skyler’s time, because he’s on parole, and he’s on probation here at the ranch.”
“Yesterday I couldn’t go into town with Sky, and now I can’t even talk to him? What the ever-loving fuck? Are you afraid I’ll throw myself at him too? Or—”
“Watch your language, son.” Chandler’s eyes turned glacial. “Apologize to your godmother, please.”
Honest to God, I hadn’t noticed her standing there. “I’m very sorry, Elena. But—”
“Elena and I will finish up here, Rock.” Chandler dismissed me. “You go on back inside. Once you eat breakfast, if you could head out to the shed and see what you can do to get that busted tractor running, I’d be much obliged.”
“Sure,” I swallowed my anger before I said something I’d regret. “Yessir.”
Most everyone had left the ranch house by the time I got there. I walked in through the back door, still muttering to myself.
Robbie was inside, finishing up a cup of coffee. “Who lit your tail feathers on fire?”
“Nobody. I’m just—” My agitation made Maisy anxious. She tried to get my attention by blocking my path, which was really not helping at all. “Shit. Wait... It’s okay, girl. I’m just...”
Deep breaths. In... one, two, three, four...
