Page 1 of Travis

Chapter 1

Travis

“I’llflipyouforwho gets to tell her.” Kurt says, as we stand over the box of Christmas bells that Laura ordered weeks ago. The box showed up while we were out exercising the horses, so nobody saw the mangled package. Inside, the bells are banged up, some tarnished, and there is some sort of soap or slippery substance covering them.

“Well, the good news is that we’ve got seven weeks left until Christmas. What’s say we send the box back and order new ones. She’ll just think they never arrived.” I suggest.

“Trav, you’re a devil, but I’ll take it.” Kurt comments, slapping me on the back.

“Let Grayson know, that way he can head her off, if she goes snooping on the company account.”

“Will do. She’s busy with little Grant today, anyway. Gymboree or something.” Kurt adds with a shrug.

We both see Will’s truck pull up. As I carry the box outside, both me and Kurt walk towards him. “Howdy.” I say. “Whatcha got there?” I ask, seeing him pull a box out of his flatbed.

“I dunno. Christmas decorations Laura asked me to bring over.”

Kurt and I exchange a look. “Well, Christ, it’s still seven weeks away. Just how much Christmas crap is she buying, anyway?” Kurt says.

“I heard there’s supposed to be some wedding here just before Christmas. Laura wants to prepare for it.”

“Let me take a look.” I say, setting the box I’m holding down, and taking Will’s from him. When I open it, I look at Kurt. “I’ll be damned. It’s more goddamn bells.”

Kurt’s brows knit together. “How many of those things does she need?” he chuckles.

Grayson pulls up and gets out of his truck. He’s got his white office coat on, with his identification tag pinned to the upper breast pocket. It says ‘Grayson Thomas, M.D.’. “What, does nobody work around here, anymore?” he jokes, walking up to give his brother Kurt, and his brother-in-law Will, a handshake. “It’s no wonder Laura had me come check on all of you during my lunch.” he teases.

“My sister doesn’t need to check on me.” Will scoffs. “I was doing her a favor.”

Grayson waves. “I’m just kidding around. Came home for lunch to see my wife and son. Where’s Laura and Grant?”

“Gone to some dang Gymboree or something.” I explain. “It was last minute.”

Grayson checks his phone. “Ah, shoot. Battery’s dead. I betcha she tried to let me know and I missed it.” he walks towards the ranch. “Any food in the house?”

“Yeah, Lois is in there, preparing something.” Kurt says.

“I’ve gotta head back.” Will says. “I was just dropping off this box, before it gets mixed up with all the Christmas crap we’ll be putting out soon.”

“Okay, brother. I’ll see ya later.” Grayson says.

“I’m gonna go get this thing sent back.” I comment. “Just going to the post office. Be back soon.”

“What’s the rush?” Grayson asks.

“Ah, the bells Laura ordered are no good. I don’t want her to see them. She’ll go postal.”

“Don’t sweat it, buddy. I’ll take them back when I head back to the office.”

“Sure?”

Grayson nods. “Yeah. Come on back in. Take a load off.”

I nod, following him into the house, as Will takes off in his truck, back to his office. He owns a car parts company just outside of Huttonville, close to Dallas. He and his girlfriend, Presley, run it together. Grayson’s a doctor, running a medical practice in town, along with Laura’s other brother, Clint. Kurt is Grayson’s brother. Grayson and Kurt came from El Paso, where their family owns another ranch. Kurt came out here to replace Grayson as the lead ranch hand when Grayson opened his medical practice. Laura and Grayson are married with an infant son, Grant.

“Yeah, shoot, I'm starved.” Kurt states, following us inside.

Setting the box on the floor in the kitchen, I grab a plate of food, and join the boys at the table. “So, what’s on the agenda for you for Christmas, man?” Kurt asks me.

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