“It’s not a wishing well, you idiot. Unless you were wishing to get your ass ran over, then wish granted.” Knox laughs at whatever look I’m sure Trey just gave him. “Face it, you got excited, made too big of a move and end up diving in the well.”
“Hey, I wasn’t excited. I never get excited. I’m as calm and collected as a monk.”
Knox busts out laughing. “Monks shave their heads. Can I shave your head?”
“Touch my hair and we are no longer friends. The ladies love my blond locks.”
“You’re telling me I could’ve gotten rid of you at any point over the last few years if I just shaved your head?”
I watch Rein run up ahead of me, sniffing around. The guys keep going on the other end of the line. I like it. It makes me feel like I’m there, even if I’m states away.
“Psh—you know I’m great. You’d get bored without me,” Trey says confidently.
I clear my throat, and the line goes quiet for a second, like they forgot I was there. I’ve noticed this before when I’m on the truck speaker, they get bickering like siblings and forget I’m listening. It’s really entertaining. If anyone ever followed these two with a camera, they would have a new hit reality TV show.
“No, I’d get some peace and quiet, that’s what I’d get,” Knox states, before addressing me. “How was your day, Kace?”
I fill him in on my day and tell him, “Jack came by to shoe a couple of horses. I think he misses your company.”
“Oh yeah? Did you tell him I do a better job than he does?” I know he has a cocky grin on his face.
I laugh. “Well, if I did that, you’d have to come back to shoe horses after he quits. Matter of fact, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”
“Wait a minute now. Tell him in September; I can be back to shoe in October.”
I hear his maps telling him to turn up ahead.
I walk up the front steps to my house, and Rein curls up in her dog bed. “Alright, I suppose I can wait to tell him. I just got home. I still need to shower and do a load of laundry. Talk tomorrow?”
“Of course, we’re about to stop and get some food. Night, Kace.”
“Night, Knox.”
I hear Trey singsong, “Goodnight, Mrs. Ward!” as I hang up the phone.
Click.
I can’t help but shake my head at the nickname he’s taken to calling me.
Five more days until I can see Knox, feel his arms around me, and kiss him. I can do five days.
Chapter 32
Knox
Estes Park, Colorado
Trey and I have done well since Livingston. I’ve bucked off once, and Trey twice, but the bulls we rode paid well. We’re both sore, but we’re used to it. I hardly notice anymore, it’s just part of the game.
“Man, my calf hurts where that bull stepped on me,” Trey whines in the passenger seat.
He really is tough. Sometimes I think he just likes to complain to break the silence in the truck.
“Eat a spoonful of concrete and harden the fuck up.” I glance at him with a grin.
“Okay, Mr. Hardass. Do you have a spoon? I know where I’m going to shove it.” He narrows his eyes at me in challenge.
“We’re almost there, then I’ll get you one right after I kick that calf.”
