I hear his spurs jingle behind me as he walks back toward the truck. Behind Kacey, I see a big man approaching from the direction of the main house.
“You must be the stand-in farrier for Jack,” he says gruffly through a thick beard.
“Yes sir, I’m—”
“Knox Ward,” the man cuts me off. “I know exactly who you are, I watch you ride on TV all the time. You’re a damn handybull rider. Looks like you’re heading back to the finals again this year.”
The look on Kacey’s face is pure shock and confusion. Her eyes flick back and forth between the man and me.
The man extends a hand to shake mine. “Cody Hart, nice to meet you.”
Hart. This must be her dad.
I shake his hand. “You, too. This is a nice spread you have here.” I glance at Kacey and her face has just gone from shock to something else . . . annoyance maybe?That’s weird.
“Thanks, I think my grandad picked a pretty nice spot when he started this ranch.”
I turn back to Cody, and I think I can make out a smile behind his beard. He clearly hasn’t noticed the change in Kacey’s body language.
Carson clears his throat from behind me. “So, I guess you must be the windshield more than the bug? At least you’re modest.”
I just give him a nod.
His eyes have a look to them, like he has some sort of plan running through his head.
Kacey hasn’t said a word.
He looks past me to Cody. “Boss, that three-year-old gelding isn’t coming around. We’ve wasted enough time with him, he needs to go to town.”
Yep, he definitely works here.
Kacey’s head snaps around to look at him. “No way, we aren’t taking him to the sale barn. I know Chet worked with him, but he’s an idiot. Can’t you spend a little more time with him?”
“I’ve spent time with him, more time than I have for him. And youwill notbe spending time with him,” he says sternly. “This is the same horse that ran you down and took three grown men to halter at weaning. He bucks every time you saddle him. He’s a liability and needs to go. I’m sorry, Kacey.”
Her face falls, I can tell she knows he’s probably right.
“Think he’d make a bucking horse?” Cody asks. “I could call that stock contractor over by Denver.”
“Well, there’s one way to find out. What if Mr. Bull Rider hops on him?” He looks at me with a challenge in his eyes.
“You do realize this kid’s sitting at the top of the standings right now, and he’s trying to make his fifth trip to the finals, right? He doesn’t want to get hurt climbing aboard an outlaw. Do you, Knox?” Cody looks at me, giving me an out.
My eyes shift to Kacey; she looks crushed about this horse. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Carson, with a big smirk on his face. I’d think he was an asshole if I didn’t agree with him. It sounds like Kacey shouldn’t be anywhere near this horse until he’s calmed down. He probably thinks my ego’s big enough I’d actually say yes to this stupid endeavor, but I wasn’t born yesterday. Not that I can’t ride the horse through whatever he throws, but that won’t really teach it anything.
“Well, sir, I’m not much for the old bronc-busting ways. I do have an idea though. How about you let me work with him for a few weeks and we’ll see if I can straighten him out? I could use a project while I’m in town.” Honestly, starting an outlaw colt is the last thing I need—I’m busy enough with Jack’s clients and trying to get in the gym before the season starts. But something about the sadness I can see in her eyes has me offering to at least give the colt a chance.
First the broodmares and now a bucker. This girl mightactuallybe the death of me.
Kacey looks at me like I’m an interesting artifact.
“Are you sure you have the time?” Cody asks, giving me another out.
This colt must be a handful.
I nod. “Yeah, I’ve got time.”
“I guess it doesn’t hurt to try. What’s a few more weeks of feed when I’ve been feeding him for three years? You get these mares done, then Kacey can show you where he is. I’m off to check the feedyard—y’all have fun. Carson, play nice.” He gives the ranch hand a look.
