Page 87 of Freeing the Wild
“Well, I like the sound of that,” Cassie replies.
I reluctantly let her go as we start walking again.The next twenty-four hours are going to go by as slow as molasses without her.
“In that case, have fun celebrating the groom-to-be,” she says as we enter the tack room.
I chuckle, doing my best to lighten the mood.
“Funny story.Can you keep a secret about Ginger and Cole?”I ask her.
“Always.”
“Well, there’s this rumor going around the ranch that this isn’t actually their first time getting married …”
“She’s real pretty, Haden, and seems sweet too,” my dad says as we leave Pendalton Community Hospital later that afternoon.Turns out he has a lumbar strain and needs to take it easy for a couple weeks.I look ahead and feel my brow furrow.I don’t really want to talk about Cassie with anyone, least of all my dad.
“Whose daughter is she?She doesn’t look familiar.”
“She’s not from town,” I tell him as we drive through the countryside.I keep my eyes fixed on the fields.It’s only late March, but the sun feels warmer on my arms through the windshield.If this keeps up, the snow will be melting before we know it.
My dad chuckles.“Well, is she a secret?”
“No,” I bite out.
“I figured you’d be happier than a pig in shit.It’s not easy to find a good woman … If she’s willing to get serious with a ranch hand, you need to hang on to her, son.”
My knuckles turn white around the wheel.Why?Why does he always have to get his dig in about my career?
“Well, I wouldn’t say she’s getting serious about me.She doesn’t live here.She’s just here temporarily.”
My dad starts to chuckle and then lets out a low whistle.
“Seen a lot in my day, kid.That girl was looking at you like you hung the moon.”
She was?
“You don’t even realize it, do you?”he asks, still chuckling.
“It doesn’t really matter much.Like I said, she’s only here temporarily.Then she’s going back on the road.”Fuck.The moment the words are out of my mouth I regret giving him any info on her at all.
“What does she do?Barrel racer?”I stay silent as he continues on.“You gotta watch out for those.If they get hurt, or can’t ride for any reason, you’re left supporting them.And no offense, son, but you don’t want to have to make that your problem.”
I grit my teeth at his unrealistic assumption about barrel racers.My dad can be such a prick, and he has no idea that Wade pays me well.Very well in fact.A lot more than the norm for a top hand.One thing Wade does is look after all of us.But my dad has never once asked how I am financially.All my fathersees is that I don’t supporthim, so anything I do that doesn’t give him a break isn’t good enough.And the idea of me supporting someoneinsteadof him?He can’t even stomach that thought.In this moment, his selfishness and years of belittling the future I’ve chosen punch me square in the chest.
“All you see is that I didn’t make you rich so you could live the good life.You look at all the years and time you spent carting me to football practices, how many weekends we had to stay in hotels when I played, and you act like I owe you.But Dad, I don’t owe you anything.You wanted me to play.Youpushedme to play.”
I’m saying more than I should, but being with Cassie these last weeks, day in and day out, has shown me what it’s like to have someone care about you just because you’reyou.That your dreams are okay even if they’re what other people see as simple.
“I gave up my retirement for your football career,” he replies.“And that’s my mistake.All I’m asking is that you check in on me once in a while.”
I almost feel bad for a moment.I almost get the feeling this stems from him being lonely.
“You seem to have time to check in with little buckle bunnies on the Ashby ranch.”
Moment lost.I grit my molars at the idea of him calling Cassie a buckle bunny, but I won’t tell him what she does.I won’t give him even an inkling of her success.My father is like a vulture when it comes to seeking out people that can better his situation in life, and Cassie willneverbe one of those people.
I shake my head as our conversation turns silent.Just another typical fun-filled afternoon with my dad.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
