Page 15 of Daddy’s Firm Hands (Saddle Up)

“No. A lot of the other ranches have had security issues the past few years, so I think it was a matter of time before we did.” I understand that Doc is my right hand. He’s the closest thing I have to a brother. But I’m getting tired of how suspicious he is of Milo.

“I know he's hiding something. I can feel it,” he says, a hint of concern in his usual stoic tone.

“I know he is too. He’s been through some awful shit, Doc. He didn’t pack up his life and move on a whim—he ran. We aren’t strangers to having fucked up families, and neither is he. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. I’m not going to pry, and neither should you.”

He sighs, frowning as he crosses his arms in front of him. “Fine. But I’ll keep an eye on him. For both our sake and the ranch’s.”

Unnecessary, but not worth arguing over. He’s as stubborn as I am.

We walk back to the ranch hands, and it strikes me how much Milo fits in. He’s wearing a pair of jeans, a white band tee, and boots I bought him last week when I insisted on taking him shopping. If it wasn’t for his city haircut, you’d think he’s from here with how well he blends in.

“Milo, the buckle bunnies!” Stew exclaims.

“Yeah, they’re fun for a little bit, but the rodeo clowns,” Lucky grins like a lunatic. “The rodeo clowns know how to get down. They have these insane orgies after the show where they do elaborate face makeup and dress up in these crazy costumes. People can participate or watch.”

Doc grunts to announce our arrival and break up this interesting conversation. He scowls at Lucky hard enough to make the younger man flinch and shut his trap. The only person who can keep Lucky in line is Doc, and I don’t envy him the task.

“If y’all are done corrupting Milo’s mind with your rodeo escapades, we’ll be on our way now.” I roll my eyes at the lot of them. “Time to get to work everyone.”

“With all due respect sir, we can hear you two from the bunkhouse at night. Y’all are more corrupted than a malware virus,” Lucky quips.

Milo busts out laughing, the sound bringing me so much joy I can let Lucky’s comment slide. I pull him into the stable, backing him up against the far wall where we’re out of reach. My hands rest on the ledge above us, and I lean down, instantly getting caught up in his warm brown eyes.

“Don’t go dirtying your mind with any ideas about those rodeo clown orgies,” I warn him.

“My mind is already filthy thanks to you, Daddy,” he pecks a kiss on my cheek. “I’m a freak in the sheets and a danger in the streets.”

Something tells me his being a danger is out of necessity. My city boy has a heart of gold and a mind as sharp as a tack. It’s hard to imagine him being dangerous or reckless.

“I’m going to give you Charles. He’s an easy going horse who likes to meet new people. He’ll mesh well with you.”

I lead Milo to a stall in the middle, where a tan, male horse stands with his head peaking over the half door.

Charles is always poking his nose into everyone’s business, watching what’s going on around him.

I saddle him up, and help Milo mount him.

Milo’s posture is a little stiff, but I think he’ll surprise me once we’re out there.

“Are you ready to learn how to ride a horse, brat?”

“I think so? I’ll never know until I try,” he says, trying to force a smile onto his face.

I mount my horse with ease, then give him a reassuring smile. If he believed in himself as much as I believed in him, he’d be unstoppable. I plan on getting him there, in time.

“Alright, city boy. Let’s go. Lean forward and give him a gentle squeeze with your legs. He’s an easy going guy, so he’ll move for you no problem.”

Milo follows directions, and Charles moves forward, following me out of the stable. He smiles at me, his excitement palpable.

“Good job, brat,” I praise him. A red stain colors his cheeks, and I promise myself to praise him more often.

We ride out of the paddock and go off on our adventure together. Hopefully it’s the first of many.

Milo is a natural at riding a horse. He was a little choppy in the beginning, but once he let go of his doubt, he picked it up fast. We rode for hours until the sky darkened.

I showed him some of my favorite spots on the ranch, and we took some time to lay in a meadow together, doing nothing but enjoying each other’s company.

It was the perfect way to spend the day.

“I’m going to shower before I start dinner.” Milo saunters into the bathroom naked as the day he was born, those ass dimples taunting me to follow him. “You’re going to stay on the other side of the bathroom door. I learned my lesson the last time, and my ass needs a break.”

I smile at the memory of spanking him in the shower. “Agreed. I’m too tempted to recreate the moment. I’ll wait downstairs.”

He rolls his eyes, and I make a mental note to spank him later for his behavior.

As he turns the shower on, I go inside my top drawer to get socks.

Mine are on the left, and Milo’s socks are on the right.

I see a sliver of black peek out from between two pairs, and without thinking, I pluck out an old phone. It’s not the smartphone I gave Milo.

He said he didn’t have a phone, so what is this?

I hear the water from Milo’s shower. There’s no way he’d be able to see or hear me if I turn it on…

I turn it on, and immediately check the texts. There aren’t any conversations except for one with someone named Pizza. He would save people under nicknames instead of their actual names.

The last few texts were from Pizza, whoever they are.

Milo, do you have your burner phone? What happened?

Please come home. We are all worried about you.

We miss you. Whatever you did, we can fix it.

Who is this? What did Milo do? Instead of searching through his phone and trying to figure it out, I feel shameful. I shouldn’t go through his phone—it isn’t right, and it’s the same behavior that drove Melanie away.

A call from a 718 area code startles me. I answer it as a knee jerk reaction, hanging up a few seconds later when I realize what I did. Then I shut the phone off and put it back where I found it.

What am I doing snooping through his phone?

What is he doing lying to me about the phone…

Doc’s accusation from earlier in the day sits in the back of my mind, taking up more space than necessary. What if Milo is hiding something? What if there’s more to his story than meets the eye? I want to give him grace like he requested, but it’s getting harder to give it to him.

We all leave for Saddle Up soon, and the last thing we need is extra stress from me badgering him.

This event put us on the map six years ago, and it makes up a third of cattle buys in our industry for the year.

The herd is depending on me to bring them new members.

I vow to myself to get answers after we get home.