Carter hummed. “That does make sense. They’re big animals with a lot of weight on the legs.”
“Exactly.” I handed him a hoof pick and he pretty easily checked her hooves, holding onto one front hoof while I explained what to watch for there.
Once we were done with her, he gave her another candy and she crunched on it happily while I made sure everything was neatly back in its place.
We took her back to the paddock, she gladly joined the herd again.
“If we’d hosed her down completely, I would’ve put a drying rug on her and left her inside for a bit, since it’s not that warm today. You should add different types of rugs to your research,” I said as I closed the gate behind us.
He pulled out his cell and either made a note or sent a text to his PA. It was still amusing to me somehow.
“It’s about lunchtime. Do you want to join us at the house?” I asked him while we walked into the barn again.
“Uh, thank you, but not today. I have a business call I need to make in about an hour and I need to be on my laptop for that.” He looked genuinely apologetic.
I led the way to the little washroom near the main barn doors. I washed my hands, blocking his way to the sink, and he playfully pushed me aside with a hip nudge.
Oddly elated, I laughed out loud, then flicked some water at his face without thinking, and he looked at me like… like I was something special.
I could see it in his eyes, the fondness and the attraction we had agreed to not act on.
Smiling awkwardly, I dried my hands on one of the hand towels hanging by the sink and then murmured something about lunch.
“Hawk—”
“I’ll see you tomorrow or whenever you come by next.” I ducked the hand reaching for me and stepped out of the small space.
Then I escaped my own barn, leaving him to dry his hands in peace.
Chapter 14
Carter
Eight months ago I was at loose ends, ready for a new adventure. I thought it would be owning the horse of my dreams and learning to care for and ride her. And it was. I was making slow and steady progress in that area and I had faith that before too long, I would be more than competent.
But it had turned into so much more than that. There was always something to do on Blue Creek Ranch, and what had started out as me just trying to get to know my horse and bond with her had morphed into a whole other thing. Everyone here was just so kind, and when I’d shown my willingness to roll up my sleeves and work, they were happy to use me. And Ilikedit.
I’d thought all the hard work would be just something I had to do once I brought Ramona home. Necessity of her care and all that. But it turned out that I enjoyed the hell out of manual labor, at least for these people and in this capacity. I was nolonger sore as hell at the end of the day, my Luccheses were good and broken in, and I was learning more about horses, breeding, and ranch life than I ever thought possible.
Every day I woke with a spring in my step and a drive to get to work. That hadn’t happened in years. I thought back, ruminating as I drove out to the ranch for the eighth day in a row, trying to remember exactly when that had stopped. In the beginning years of Omicron, I’d had the same drive. But sometime in the past ten years or so, I’d lost it. I’d gone to work and done my job to the best of my capabilities, but I’d dreaded it. The thought gave me pause, because honestly, I hadn’t even realized I’d been unhappy until right this moment, comparing the feelings.
A call came through, interrupting my musings, and I glanced at the touch screen in my Jeep. Marielle. I tapped the screen.
“When are you and your amazing wife coming for a visit?” I said in greeting.
Marielle made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a stifled laugh. “Good morning, Mr. Cahill.”
“Mariellllle,” I whined, hamming it up, and this time she did laugh. It was short, but sweet, and I grinned in response.
“Good morning, Carter,” she corrected, just a touch of amusement in her voice. “And that’s partially the reason for my call. I have several items that need your attention, and I thought, if you’re amenable, it would be a good time for some in person working days.”
“Yes, absolutely.” I was making friends at Blue Creek and I’d become a regular at Kira’s Kafe, a cute little diner in Russell Crossing. But I was desperate for my own people and honestly, that was just Marielle. Yes, she was my assistant, but we had a good relationship. “Do you want to stay with me? I seriously have plenty of room and a guest room at the other side of the house from mine. But if you’re not comfortable with that, book a room at a local B&B or something.”
I wanted her and Elisa to stay with me, because again, I would love the company. But I could understand if staying in her boss’s house would be weird for her. Marielle made a humming noise.
“I expect staying with you would be alright. As long as you don’t expect me to be working all the time.” There was the sass I loved from her. I did a fist pump then put my hand back on the wheel. “Let me check with Elisa first though.”
“Of course.” I tried to keep the grin out of my words, but it was hard. I was excited she was coming. I wanted to show her everything I loved about this little town. And the ranch. I’d have to ask Hawk if it was okay if I brought them by. Not only to see Ramona, because really Marielle needed to meet her, but so that she and her wife could find joy in it too.
