“Nothing. I’m just worried about Knox. Every time I talk to him, he sounds more and more exhausted having to drive without Trey, and his schedule next week is a mess. He asked if I could come out on the road to help him, but I told him I can’t.”
I wish I could. I miss him so much. I got so used to him being around the ranch every day and I didn’t even realize it, and now he’s gone. I wanted to say yes, and in a different life, I could’ve, but I can’t leave the ranch.
Dad brushes his hand down his beard thoughtfully. “Why? You could go help him.”
I whip my head around to look at him. “What? No, I can’t. I have to be here.”
“Kacey, you haven’t taken time off in . . . well . . . ever. We have ranch hands for a reason. Go with him until Trey’s back. I know you miss him, and he needs your help.”
I stare at him, trying to process what he’s saying.Is he seriously telling me to take the next three weeks off and go rodeo with Knox? Doesn’t he need me here?I know we’re done foaling, but we have colts to start and cattle to work.
“I can’t just leave. I have colts I’m working with and—and . . . .” I can’t really come up with anything else. The colts are my main job right now. I help with the cattle as needed, but my primary job is managing the horse barn.
“We have other people who can work those colts. What’s more important? Knox or the colts?”
His words hit me square in the chest.
“Knox,” I answer without hesitation.
This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. I felt horrible missing Eagle and crushed when we realized we might not see each other until the end of the season. My heart rate picks up at the thought of three weeks with Knox. And I’ve hardly traveled anywhere outside Colorado. It’s too hard to leave the ranch for extended periods of time.
Does Knox really want me to travel with him for three weeks?
I know he misses me; he tells me every day. He was so close to turning out of Eagle and coming here just to get a few hours with me. But three weeks of traveling together? It’s not exactly a vacation. What if I say or do the wrong thing? I have no idea what to expect or do at these huge rodeos. Regardless, it’s time together, and that’s what I’m aching for.
I wring my hands in my lap and voice my fear. “What if he gets sick of me? Three weeks is a long time on the road.”
My dad chuckles.
Okay, glad my concerns are a joke to him.
“Bug, I’ve seen the way that boy looks at you. I’m sure there isn’t anything he wants more than for you to travel with him. Your mother and I loved every second we spent together. We spent every day working this ranch together, even on our worst days, nothing could separate us. Those were some of the best years of my life.”
Okay, not a joke.My eyes burn as I try to fight back tears. “You never talk about her.”
He sighs. “I know, and I’m sorry. After she died, it was just too hard. There was so much to do—I had to figure out how to balance the ranch and take care of you. But I should’ve told you more stories and shared with you how smart she was. How her smile would light up on Sunday morning when she saw you eyeing that stack of chocolate chip pancakes. She loved you so much and she was my entire world. I never dreamed of a day I would spend without her. I miss her every day.” His eyes turn glassy, but he blinks it away.
“I miss her, too.” I swipe at a tear before it can fall.
“I’ll try to be better about talking about her. You remind me so much of her.”
Rein makes her way over to me and nudges my hand for pets. I run my hand down the soft fur on the top of her head and it’s a comfort. “Thanks, I’d like that. So, you really think I should go?”
“I do. You’re young and there’s an entire world out there for you to see. And Knox seems like the kind of person you should experience it with. So yes, get out of here.” He smiles through his thick beard like I haven’t seen in a long time.
“Alright, I’ll go call him.” We stand and I give Dad a big hug. Rein tries to join, making us both laugh. “Take care of Rein while I’m gone?”
He glances down at her. “You’re getting a bath and coming inside.”
I shake my head. He spoils her rotten every chance he gets. I’m sure I’ll come home to a retired cow dog lounging on the couch.
Two days later, I’m waiting on the curb of the Boise, Idaho airport. It worked perfectly for me to fly here, since he rides in Caldwell tonight.
I see his truck and camper round the bend, waiting in the line of cars to pick up passengers. When I called him after I left Dad’s, there was no hesitation. He wants me to come help him, but more than that, he’s so excited to show me his world. I just hope I fit in, pro rodeo and jackpot ropings—or even ranching—are completely different. I have no idea what to expect.
He had yesterday off, and I was grateful he could rest. He only rode one bull last week and I know it’s eating at him. The average bull rider might only cover twenty-five percent of their bulls, but that’s not Knox, he’s used to covering forty or fifty percent of his—that’s why he’s one of the best in the world. I know it’s just stress and exhaustion; he’ll turn it around this week with me helping drive.
He pulls up and jumps out, running round the front of the truck. When he steps up the curb and wraps me in his arms, I realize I was holding my breath. His bergamot and leather scent envelops me, I know I made the right choice in coming here. He’s slowly become my home without me even knowing it. He pulls back and gives me a big smile.
