Page 24 of Saving the Rain

Funny guy.

How’s everything?

Good. A few of the heifers decided to go for a wander this morning, but they didn’t get far.

Fuck. Was it that same gate again?

Yeah. Same as last time.

Fixed up the post, though.

Sorry you had to deal with that on your own.

Don’t worry about it.

Nothing I can’t handle.

Are you sure you don’t need me to get some extra help for you?

Receiving those words immediately makes my chest tighten. I don’t want to let my dad down. I won’t dare let him think I’m not capable, or cause him to be a whole continent away, worrying about whether I’m coping on my own. Not when he’s done this single-handed year after year since he was just a teenager. He never had parents. All he had was an evil motherfucker of an abusive grandpa who he was sent to live with. The guy deserves to have something good after sacrificing himself, after punishing himself by staying isolated out here for so long.

Nah, old man. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

Well, make sure you say something if you do need an extra pair of hands to help around the place.

Might require a day or two, but we can sort out a solution.

What I don’t need is a phone call in the middle of the night telling me you’re in the hospital or some shit like that because you’ve tried to be a smart ass and risked your neck.

I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. Considering my rodeo career, it’s ironic that my dad is more concerned about me getting hurt up here on Devil’s Peak by myself.

As if he can hear my thoughts, I see dots bounce as he’s typing. It takes forever, like it always does with him. But I suppose the fact my technology-averse father even knows how to use a cellphone is a small miracle. The guy’s only in his forties and yet has mostly lived like a hermit up this mountain. Seeing as there’s no cell coverage, he just never saw the point in bothering to learn.

Until Layla came along, that is. Count that as one of the weirder moments of my life. Teaching my dad how to use a phone and social media so he could track down his girlfriend... my ex. Yep. That was some twilight zone type of shit right there.

Your rodeo prep is going well? Finding enough time to get your training in?

Yeah, Dad. I’m cool.

Training down at Rhodes Ranch tomorrow.

Good. The weather forecast is still looking mild.

That has me laughing out loud, the sound bouncing around the room as the fire spits loudly, seeming to crackle in time with my mirth. Of course, this prick is in Ireland, spending his free time checking on the snow updates for the ranch.

Jesus. Take the cowboy out of Montana, but you’re still a control freak in every time zone, huh?

You’ll thank me if I’ve checked the reports before you wake up and let you know early that shit is about to turn.

And you’ll be a smug bastard about it, too.

Thanks. I appreciate you checking in.

Let me know how you get on at training.

Sure. Will do.

I promise it’s all good here. Chat tomorrow.