Page 2 of The Finding Series: Vol. 1

Rhys fingered the cowboy hat between them. It was the first time he could remember where the conversation with another man was actually that – conversation.

“Was it a good kiss at least?”

Finn glanced at him with a shy smile and nodded.

“So I guess there’s hope for me yet,” Rhys said.

“Guess so,” Finn said with a grin. “We’re here.”

Rhys got out of the truck and looked around. Finn had parked in front of the barn rather than further up the hill where an old farmhouse sat. The small barn was weathered with faded red paint. To the left were a couple of small cottages that weren’t in much better shape than the rest of the place. Behind the barn was a large, round paddock and beyond that was a sizeable pasture where a couple of horses were peacefully grazing on the little bits of green grass that sprouted up among the dry brush. Rhys knew absolutely nothing about ranching, horses, or cows, but even he could tell this place was barely hanging on.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but Cal’s slowly bringing it back,” Finn said defensively.

“Cal?”

“Callan Bale.”

Rhys remembered the initials above the ranch sign he’d passed under just a few short minutes ago. “Right, the owner.”

“Owner’s son. Carter Bale owns the place. Cal’s the foreman,” Finn said. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

They passed through the open door of the barn and Rhys was instantly assaulted by the smell of hay and manure. All the stalls were empty.

“I thought this was a cow ranch.”

“Don’t let Cal hear you call them cows. Cattle,” Finn said with a smirk. Rhys followed Finn out the back door of the barn to a small, circular arena where a dark brown horse stood in the center, a saddle cinched to its back. A man was doing something on the other side of the animal and Rhys could hear him murmuring to the horse in a soothing tone. He had no idea what the words were, but the husky tone was doing something to his insides.

“He’s breaking him,” Finn said, motioning to the man and horse.

Rhys must have looked confused because Finn smiled patiently. “Teaching him to accept the tack – the bridle and saddle – so he can be ridden. Cal found Astro at an auction last month. The previous owner couldn’t handle him – hadn’t even bothered to try and break him when he was younger. Just stuck him in a stall and ignored him.”

They watched as Callan came around the horse, his big hands stroking over the animal’s body. Rhys hadn’t gotten a good look at the front of the other man, but the back was proving to be an impressive view. The man was tall, at least 6’2 and had a heavy build. Even with the chambray work shirt, Rhys could see wide shoulders, trim waist, perfect ass encased in faded denim, and thick thighs. Black hair stuck out from beneath the brown cowboy hat.

Callan continued talking to the horse as he began to loosen the saddle. A few seconds later, he was holding the heavy looking piece of tack in one hand, the horse’s lead in the other. He turned and began walking towards them.

Rhys felt his body clench with need as gray-blue eyes met his. The man moved with easy, confident strength and when he reached the fence, he lifted the saddle onto it as if it weighed nothing. Thick, long fingers settled on the horse’s neck as he turned his attention on Finn.

“You get the wire?”

“Yeah, it’s in the truck.” Finn shifted slightly.

He was hiding something, but apparently his boss recognized the look because Callan said, “What?”

Finn seemed to have trouble meeting Callan’s gaze. Finally, he admitted, “I had to go to Hamilton to get it.”

“Son of a bitch!” Callan snarled as he turned and led the horse out of the arena.

“Hamilton?” Rhys asked.

“Next town over – about thirty miles away,” Finn said quietly.

Rhys knew there was more to the story, but decided to keep his mouth shut. Wasn’t any of his business anyway. He just needed to keep his nose clean for the next six months and the best way to do that was keep his thoughts to himself.

Callan stalked past them, the horse in tow. He stopped just outside the barn and tied the horse to a post and snatched up the hose nearby and started washing the animal.

“I told you this would happen, Cal,” Finn started.

“Don’t, Finn. Just don’t!” Callan replied angrily.

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