Page 2 of Stirring Up Trouble (Saddle Up #1)

Two

Blaze

“Still can’t believe he left like that.” My cousin’s voice came across the speaker as I searched for what I wanted to wear. It was going to be a busy day with me taking over as head of this year’s festivities. We were less than twenty-four hours out from the opening event.

I felt about as prepared as a nun in a brothel.

“Maddox,” I sighed. “It was a long time coming. The man kept getting himself into trouble. Life catches up with us all at some point.”

“Yeah, but this isn’t like he wrote a few bad checks or something. He stole from the community. Took money out of people’s hands and used it to build a completely new life. If I ever get my hands on him…”

I scoffed as I pulled out a denim button-up to put over my white tank. “You’ll do nothing. I won’t have you risking your professional hockey career simply because my stepfather is a thief and a liar.”

“Maybe I could hire someone to take care of him. You know I hated him ever since Auntie married his dumbass.”

“Annnnd that’s where this call has to end. I don’t want my FBI person finding out my family is plotting someone’s demise. Learn to talk about that shit on secure lines, man.”

His laughter filled the room around me. I smiled at the sound, happy we could still be close despite him living far away.

Growing up, Maddox spent a lot of his summers here with me and my family.

His mom was first cousins with mine. They believed in making sure we had just as close a relationship as they did.

During the school year, we’d talk on the phone and write each other letters about what was going on in our lives.

As adults, we’ve maintained that same level of closeness. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t hear from him. Usually more than once too.

“Love you, cousin. I’ll try to get out there to see you soon. Jake would love it.”

“Bet he would. There’s plenty to keep him entertained. That much is true.”

“He’d probably give your hands some grief with all the questions he’d ask. Maybe I shouldn’t come when it’s busy,” he pondered aloud.

“Nah. You come whenever. I know getting something in line for the three of you can be tough. We’ll adjust fine.”

My cousin had found himself as part of a throuple, meaning he had two partners.

Jake was a rambunctious man who never sat still, while Leon was stoic and took everything pretty damn seriously.

They were a great trio together. Even if I didn’t understand the appeal, I could respect their love and time by not making a visit difficult on them.

Romance had no place in my life. Not with how much trouble it had already brought my family. It was better if my focus was on running the ranch and ensuring the Anders name was met with a smile rather than anger.

Maddox hummed across the line before telling me he’d check in on me later in the week. I knew he’d be worried if I didn’t update him with good news. I set a reminder to write down a few positives from each day to be able to tell him.

My memory wasn’t what it used to be. Falling off bulls and horses for most of my youth and into my early twenties means I’ve taken a hit to the head more than once.

While my scans all came back normal, there were still changes in how I functioned.

My memory was a touch faulty at time, and I tire a bit quicker than I used to.

Ironically enough, I thought Maddox would be the one with this type of issue before me. He took a number of hits on the ice each week. His chosen sport was fucking brutal that way.

And yet, he wasn’t the one with all the specialists and warnings about taking it easy. As if that were an option when managing and running a ranch, much less a whole fucking rodeo.

Taking a step back to put myself into more of a managerial role helped a ton. I no longer got on the back of an animal unless I was herding cattle or putting on a show for the people at the closing ceremonies. Definitely nothing that would get me injured.

Risk wise, I was in a much better position. It still didn’t mean my chances of something happening were zero. I had accepted the truth of it all since I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but on my land.

After getting dressed, I made my way down to the kitchen to see what Ms. Connie had whipped up for us.

She’d been my mother’s best friend growing up and the cook here for as long as I remembered.

Her food was worthy of more than a few Michelin stars, though she kept it simple for us country guys, gals, and nonbinary folks.

“You look like you’re ‘bout to shit your pants.”

I halted at her words, my brows rising to my forehead. “Good morning to you, ma’am. It’s a beautiful day. Smells delicious.”

She shook her head as she smiled back at me. “Get over here and hug me. You know I’m just playing with you, boy.”

I did as she asked, taking my tall build over to her and wrapping my arms tightly around her cute, plump frame. “Love you too,” I said before pressing a kiss to her head.

Ms. Connie swatted my backside with a towel. “Don’t try to butter me up. Butter a biscuit. Then get your ass moving. I know you’ve got a full day ahead of you. Lunch is already in the cooler in the truck. I made Sylmen put it away when he left just a minute ago.”

Sylmen was her nephew by marriage. He’d come to stay with us several years back when his grandmother passed, leaving him with no one to help him out. As someone nonverbal, he struggled to fit into what others considered normal.

I’d said fuck them and given him a place, a job, and a life worth more than society deemed fit. He was one of the best ranch hands I had. I didn’t see it changing anytime soon.

“Thank you.” I grabbed a biscuit and buttered it like she told me to. Then I snatched up the leftover pieces of bacon to go with it. I was a grown ass man after all. Needed all the food I could get.

She shook her head, but she went back to her dishes rather than call me out. I left her to handle business as I took off for my truck.

The men were already hard at work in the fields as I stepped onto the porch. I took a deep breath, thankful for the gift of having their help today. It was nice to know my sticking around to fix this mess was enough to convince them to stay.

A lot of the men expressed concern when the truth came out about my stepfather. They wanted to know this ranch wasn't going to be run like it had been. They needed confirmation from someone they trusted that things would be different.

I gave them what they needed, assuring them I would do my best to correct his wrongs. I’d also pledged to bring us back into a fruitful state. One where everyone reaped the benefits of our growth.

As someone who didn't make promises I couldn't keep, I gave the next phase of life my all. I refused to hide anything from them. Everything down to the most basic of financials became common knowledge.

I think it's why everything worked out the way it has. The trust I’ve built isn’t something that will be torn down so easily.

As least, I hoped it wouldn’t.

After waving to a few of the guys who spotted me leaving, I climbed in my truck to head off for the arena.

There was still lots to be done before the rodeo started.

With each day bringing us closer to the opening events, there weren't nearly enough hours in the day.

I thought that was true before this mess. Now I knew I was wrong.

It could be worse. When it rained on the ranch, it damn sure poured.

At the arena, I found Leslie waiting for me by her truck. The five-foot-nine redhead wore a smirk that told me she had news for me.

I hoped it was good news. Then again, she always found amusement in my discomfort. It could be either. I didn't need siblings with friends like her. She teased me enough for the lack of blood relation.

As soon as I opened my door she let out a whistle. “About time you showed up, sleepy head. We got a checklist a mile long, and I just got some good news for you.”

I slammed the door and marched over to her. Hands on my hips, I faced her down. The few inches I had over her didn't make much difference. Leslie's personality made her ten feet tall most days.

"Well, are you going to tell me?" I pressed.

She shrugged. "Maybe if you stop looking at me like that."

I forced myself to smile at her. "Is this better?"

She tilted her head to the side, then shook it. “I don't know. I was kind of hoping for more. I got a hold of Atticus Coleman. He's sending a couple of his guys out to help us. One of them is apparently a vet too.”

"Thank fuck," I said, the tension in my body loosening some. “That's going to put us with just enough, right?”

Her grin grew wider. “It sure will. Considering that guy knows his way around animals, he can probably even fill in when we need someone to ride. Either way, we won't be as down and out as we thought. We might just be able to pull this off.”

Her words bolstered my confidence, yet they also made me wary because we hadn't pulled anything off yet. As much as I wanted to believe that things would be fine, there was still so much that could go wrong.

A single injury or one person speaking out of turn could make this entire rodeo a sham. Something that I had worked for months to bring back to life would be tarnished.

"Uh-oh, you're thinking negative thoughts again," she said.

I scowled at her and waved my hand. “It's hard not to with all this going on. I've been worried sick that he's going to come back around and cause problems.”

“It's always possible," she said, not helping me feel any better.

At my glare, she raised her hands.