Page 16 of Braving the Storm

As Kayce explains things to me, we draw up to a line of black snouts and fluffy-tipped ears peering over the fence at us. Some hang back, a little uneasy of the approaching vehicle, while others are practically hanging over the gate waving with eagerness.

“They knew you were coming.” I can’t help but smile.

“Like I say… hungry fuckers. They can tell time better than you or I can.”

“Is that what they’re waiting for?” Large round bales, much taller than me, are arranged in a long row near the fence. There’s a tractor already down here, with two long fork-like prongs attached to the front. If that machinery were in the wrong hands, surely it could be lethal.

“We cut and bale in summer, then store it for winter. Keeps things simple, so we don’t gotta bring in feed from elsewhere.”

“And you use the tractor to roll it out there or something?” I’m quickly presuming that must be the way to skewer one of those monstrous-looking rounds and actually shift them.

“Sure do. I mean, ranching on horseback is good and all, but some things just need a bit of modern machinery thrown in the mix to make life a bit easier. Lets me get a good look at ‘em all, keep an eye out for injuries or lameness while I’m at it.” Kayce drums his fingers on the steering wheel, not in an impatient way, but like he’s got energy to burn at all times. He’s so patient with explaining everything. I feel like I’m lobbing fifty questions across the net in his direction, yet he volleys them back without seeming overly concerned that I’m being a nuisance.

It’s refreshing not to have curiosity used against me as if I’m stupid for a change.

“How do you manage this all? Or manage that many cows all at once?” There seems like so much work needing to be done, I wonder when he ever sleeps.

“Oh, we’ll bring in some extra help when we need to round the herd up. That’s when Storm comes in extra useful. That bastard can rope ‘em with the best.”

At the mere mention of his name, I immediately picture my uncle on horseback… the whole cowboy package, with chaps, tan-colored hat settled on his head, guiding his horse with complete confidence. Heat flushes through my traitorous body, and it has nothing to do with the warmth from the air vent.

“You wanna drive the tractor?” Kayce interrupts my thoughts.

I look aghast and hide behind my thermos mug. “No thanks. I’d be terrified I might crash it, or run one of the poor cows over.” My gaze drifts over to where the line of bellowing, impatient cattle are waiting, wondering what’s taking so long for their breakfast to be delivered.

Kayce snorts. “Fine. Stay in here and keep warm. It won’t take me long.” As he slides out the driver’s side, he ducks his head back in and taps the center console on the dashboard, dragging my eyes to what looks like a handset and a speaker unit. “If that radio starts blowing up, just answer for me, would ya?”

I give him a look. “What do I say?” Surely, if that radio starts going off, it’s going to be important, and I have no idea what to do.

“Just start yapping. It’ll most likely be Sheriff Hayes checking in, and he won’t bite.” With that non-reassuring statement and a wink, Kayce jogs off toward the tractor. Leaving me to settle back in the front seat and watch on, feeling like my entire world has transformed beyond anything I could have ever fathomed before arriving here in Crimson Ridge.

Fuck you, LA.

I’ll happily sit here and listen to cattle making their sweet noises and watching the steam rise off their black coats.

Maybe, just maybe, this is the place I’m meant to be to mend all the broken pieces inside, after all.

I’ve hadmy first official lesson in fitting a saddle, and Ollie, my horse I’m going to be riding today, has me wrapped around her hoof already.

No need to attempt hopping up onto her back, I’ll just stand here stroking her mane and cooing at her. She’s beautiful. A pale golden color, like froth on top of a latte, with milky blue eyes.

Kayce hands me the reins and gestures with his chin to followhim outside, leading Ollie through the space between the stalls lining either side of the barn.

He clicks his tongue; I’m not sure if it’s meant for me, or the horse. “Come on, you girls.”

Ollie rumbles and clops forward. She knows much better than I do how this is supposed to go down.

This horse could probably takemefor a walk outside, rather than the other way around.

“So, Briar Lane. Tell me where you’ve drifted in from?”

A snort escapes me. “Is this your patter with the tourists? Are you gonna give me the ‘Devil’s Peak Ranch Handbook?’” I shoot Kayce a raised eyebrow, feeling a little hesitant to go near this line of conversation.

“Nah, man, just color me curious.” He strolls on the other side of Ollie’s bobbing neck while we walk toward a fenced area next door to the barn.

“Have you heard of Lane Enterprises?”

“Nope.”