Page 53 of Wrangled

“Sure it is, only I didn’t want tobea Zeb, okay? Zeeb was more… unusual.”

We drank, and as I watched, the clouds changed color, from pink to orange to red, as the sun sank slowly.

I raised my bottle. “Here’s to the end of my first day. May the rest be as interesting.” I tipped it up and drank what was left.

“I’ll drink to that.” Zeeb followed suit.

I wasn’t ready to go inside yet. Having Zeeb alone was too good an opportunity to miss.

“Something else I’ve been meaning to ask—not you specifically, but seeing as you’re here… You remember we were talking at lunch time, and I mentioned that cabin by the creek?”

Zeeb stilled. “What about it?”

“I got the feeling I was missing something. Almost as if you all shut me down.” I turned to face him. “Now, don’t deny it. Declan noticed it too. So you wanna tell me whatthatwas all about?”

Zeeb stared at me. “That wouldn’t be my first choice, no.” He sighed. “Besides, it’s a long story.”

“And I’ve got nowhere to be except my bunk, and it’s too early for that.” I stared at him. “So start talking.” I folded my arms. “Not gonna move from this spot until you do, so you might as well get it over with.”

Zeeb gazed at the horizon. “The cabin belonged to the boss’s mom, right enough. But then it got new owners. And the reason we don’t talk about it is becauseoneof those owners is dead.”

“I see. Who took over the cabin? And how did one of them die?”

“His name was Kevin Porter. He was the foreman here for years, way before I got here.”

“And when did he die?”

“Five years ago. Got drunk one night, climbed onto a horse, and went for a ride. We found him in the creek. His neck was broken. The horse was still standing there. Hadn’t left his side.”

“Oh my God.” I stared at him. “He was riding Lightning, wasn’t he?”

Zeeb’s gaze met mine. “Yup. That horse was his baby. Never thrown anyone before or since.”

“Is that why Robert has the rule about no drinking on a horse? Not that it isn’t a sensible rule.”

Zeeb regarded me with sparkling eyes. “So it’sRobertnow, is it? What happened toMr. Thorston?”

Oh shit.I feigned ignorance. “Don’t guests ever refer to him by his first name?”

“No sir, they do not. Evenwedon’t—except for Teague, maybe. But as for whyyou’reon a first-name basis with him…” He grinned. “Garrett said he thought he heard the boss in the bathroom with you, up at the house. What was he doing—helping you find the soap?”

“We were just talking.”

His eyes lit up. “AndnowI know who gave you that first beer.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

He sighed again. “Yeah, you’re right about the drinking part.”

“Is that also why Robert doesn’t allow anyone to ride Lightning? For fear he’ll throw one of the guests?” That made sense.

Zeeb shook his head. “No, that isn’t it at all.” He took a deep breath. “You see…the other person who took over the cabin? That was the boss. He and Kevin, they were close. I mean,realclose. I guess they were what you’d call an item.”

My jaw dropped. “Robert is gay?”

“As a nine-dollar bill. Not that he’s ever…youknow… come out and said as much. But trust me, we all knew.” He chuckled. “The way those two carried on, it wasn’t hard to miss.”

“How long were they together?”

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