Page 56 of My Cowboy Freedom
Chapter 15
Sky
On the way back to the pick-up point where the trucks were waiting, Jason and Robbie talked about their days working one of those massive beef cattle spreads where they herd with helicopters and ATVs.
I was glad men still worked cattle from their horses at the Rocking C, because that’s what I needed. I’d been thinking about my dad—hoping to feel his presence.
I figured that once I started chasing Chandler’s Brangus cattle on Rocking C land, I’d find something of him out there. I thought that if I walked in his footsteps, I’d get some kind of window into the kind of man he was, that we might even be able to connect out there on the range, man to man.
I missed him so much.
Despite my family, despite ‘Nando, I felt like I’d been alone forever. Out on the land there, I felt less alone. Maybe I needed to brood over the idea of my dad and grieve.
Mourn the fact he’d never meet the man I could still become.
Or maybe I only wanted a do-over that ended with me not letting the memory of my father down.
Once we walked the horses off and loaded them back up, we practically fell into the trucks ourselves. We shared bottled water and trail bars. As soon as the wheels started humming beneath me, I fell asleep.
I don’t know how long it was before a hand gripped my shoulder and gave it a shake. I startled the way a man who’s been in prison startles at being wakened roughly.
“Shit!” Tad jumped back to avoid my fist. “Chill, man. You were asleep. We’re back.”
“Christ, sorry. Sorry...” I slid out and hit the ground, barely keeping my knees from buckling. “Shit.”
“Welcome to ranching.” He shot me a wry grin and waited while I pulled my gear out before slamming the door behind me.
Just then Elena burst out of the ranch house and hurried down the steps toward us.
“Tad, can you come with me to pick up Rocky, he had an episode at church and—”
“Okay if you take Sky?” He was already behind the trailer, opening the gate so he could unload the horses. “The boss is waiting for my reports.”
“Tad, it’d really be best if—”
He eyed her. “Maybe it’d be a good idea for Sky to go this time.”
Something passed between them I didn’t understand.
“It will help him understand, don’t you think?” Tad’s brows lifted.
“I-I guess so.” She appeared to hesitate before turning to me. “Will you come with me? I need to pick up Rocky from Bible study, but he’s had a seizure. He’ll be in a very weakened state so he’ll need help.”
“Sure.” I glanced down at the state of my clothes. “But I’m a mess. I should wash up and change first—”
“There’s no time for that. I’m sorry to impose. It’s just that—”
“I’m happy to help, ma’am.” Despite my exhaustion I wanted to make a good impression. “What do you need?”
“Thanks.” She nodded tightly. “Chock the wheels and unhitch the trailer. We can just take this truck.”
“I’ll get that, then.” I did as she asked.
Once we were on the road, I rolled the window down a bit. If I could smell myself it had to be real bad for her.
Elena glanced over. “Don’t worry on my account. I’m not very delicate.”
“I wouldn’t want to make your eyes water, though.”
