Page 26 of The Earl’s Wrangler (Cowboy Nobility #3)

THE CLOUDS from the day before were gone and the sun shone brightly, illuminating the lush green that seemed to come from everywhere as Randall mounted Caesar.

He loved watching Sawyer on a horse, and damn, he was as stunning as ever on Augustus.

They headed out along the back drive, and then Randall pointed and they veered off across one of the great lawns laid out in the style of the Victorian period, the sun brightening the entire world.

Sawyer gave his horse his head and seemed to fly over the ground.

Randall let him. It was a ways to his spot, and there was something freeing about just letting go. He didn’t let his horse travel as fast, but that was fine. He loved watching Sawyer.

As they reached the far side of the lawns, Sawyer slowed, and Randall caught up before taking the lead on one of the forest paths.

“This part of the estate was used for hunting. They used to shoot ducks and grouse out here as well as pheasants. There were fox hunts with packs of dogs and men in red jackets on horseback. It was all very civilized and a real ritual, though that kind of hunting isn’t done any longer. ”

“Did you ever do it?”

“A couple of times, but we used a scent and had it dragged on the ground, so no foxes were actually hunted. Still, it was fun with all the dogs and people. I’ve never hunted here.

That was at a neighboring estate, and it was for charity.

” They continued through the trees, which spread a thick canopy over them.

“This must be an old forest,” Sawyer commented. “The trees are huge.”

“Yes. This part of the estate has never been timbered. These trees are hundreds of years old. My grandfather actually leveraged this part of the estate with the tax people. He told them he could sell off these trees and have them cut to pay part of the debt, or they could help protect them. They gave in, and it was agreed that this section of land be left to nature.” He continued on.

“Wow,” Sawyer gasped as they broke out of the trees and into the hidden glen. Grasses and a small lake filled the space. “Is this natural?”

“Yes. There’s a small creek that flows through the property, and it replenishes this little lake. Tons of animals come here to drink and feed. My father wanted to find a way to include this in the more manicured portion of the estate, but it didn’t work out. So this is a little hidden gem.”

“What sort of animals are back here?”

“All kinds.” They sat on horseback together, and Sawyer took his hand.

“If we’re quiet, there will be ducks that land, and there are plenty of rabbits in the grasses.

Squirrels fill the trees, and if we were to stay awhile, we might see larger animals, but they tend to come out at sunrise and sunset.

” He pointed. “Look over there. A family of foxes has a den in that copse of trees. Sometimes I’ve seen them playing with the little ones.

This is my own private piece of England, the part of it that I love the most.”

Sawyer squeezed his hand. “Do you ever go swimming? Or did you when you were a kid?”

Randall shook his head. “The stream is spring-fed, so it’s cold all the time.

We used to play in it when I was a kid sometimes, but I never swam.

Sometimes I wish I’d had brothers to play with.

Then things might have been different. But I didn’t have lot of time for things like playing.

I was watched over by nannies, and then when I was old enough, I was sent away to school. ”

“There had to be happy times.” Sawyer leaned closer. “What about Christmas?”

“The house was always decorated for the holidays because the guests expected it. But our part was sparse. My father usually had a present for me, and my mother would have a few things, but it wasn’t a big deal.

I know my grandfather spent the holiday visiting in the village.

He would bring small gifts to the tenants and have oranges and such for all the kids.

I think my father spent the day getting pissed. ”

“Jesus. My father was no barrel of laughs, but he used to love the holidays. So we did a few things as a family. After Mom died, we spent the time with relatives, until he wore out his welcome in one way or another.” Sawyer’s phone chimed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “Speak of the devil.”

“It must be four in the morning in Wyoming.”

Sawyer answered and put the call on speaker. “Where the fuck are you, boy? I tried calling and it went right to voicemail. I figured I would try the middle of the night and see if you answered. Where are you?”

“I’m out of the country,” Sawyer said. “And that is all I’m going to tell you.”

“I went by the ranch, and they said you were gone. That you had left.” His voice held a frantic edge. “Where can I find you? I’m in trouble, and you need to help. You owe me, boy.”

Sawyer grew agitated, and the horse began shifting his weight, picking up on Sawyer’s unease.

“That’s enough. I don’t owe you anything, and I’m thousands of miles away from you.

I’m not paying any of your gambling debts.

If you’re in over your head, then get yourself some help.

You really need it. But stay away from me.

” He pressed the red button to end the call.

A few seconds later it rang again. “Block.”

“Good for you. No one at the ranch is going to tell him where you are, and now he’s cut off. He’ll have to sink or swim on his own.”

Sawyer sighed. “He’ll sink. I don’t think he has the strength to do anything else. But I can’t let him sink me too. He’s had a problem for a long time, and he doesn’t know how to stop. My father won’t get any help….”

“He keeps saying you owe him,” Randall probed, trying to figure out what the hell that meant.

“Yeah. Like since his sperm is valuable or something,” Sawyer said.

“Or all the times I had to scrounge for something to eat was a life lesson.” He rolled his eyes.

“My father is a selfish asshole, and I hate that he’s making me angry even though I’m way over here.

” He looked out over the lake and grew quiet.

Over time he calmed down, but Randall knew this hurt him.

“Both our fathers should never have been parents,” Randall pronounced, and Sawyer nodded slowly. “Somehow our job is to get past all that.”

“Yeah.” They sat together for a while, listening to the breeze rushing through the grass. “We should get to the village if we’re going to have lunch before you meet the workmen.”

“All right.” He wasn’t sure if Sawyer was looking for a change of subject or simply wanted to stop talking about this. “You know you don’t need to be embarrassed or anything.”

“Yeah… well… I guess I am, and I don’t know how to handle it.

My father is a compulsive gambler. He will take a bet anywhere and anytime.

It’s pretty bad.” He lifted his head enough that Randall could see the trouble in Sawyer’s eyes.

“Why did we need to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it came to fathers? I bet Alan and Chip had a real good father. I know he died and left the ranch to the care of Mrs. J and Alan, and that they had a hard time of it for a while, but by all accounts he was a good man. Didn’t we deserve fathers like that? ”

Randall made no move to leave. “We get the luck of the draw when it comes to parents. If you ask me, every child deserves a father like that. It doesn’t mean you get it, though.” He cleared his throat. “Did you ever think about having kids? Do you want them?”

Sawyer hesitated, gazing away from him. “I don’t know. What if I turn out like my father? No kid deserves that.”

Randall couldn’t help laughing softly. “Do you really think that? You are nothing like your dad. You’re thoughtful and gentle.

You care about other people and look after them.

Sawyer, you’re one hell of a man, and any kid would be lucky to have you as a parent.

” He cleared his throat. “I have to have a child. I need a son and he must be mine, or else the entire estate will go to some distant cousin or other, and I have no idea who that is.”

“Do you have to marry the child’s mother?” Sawyer asked very softly, his words carrying on the wind.

“No. As long as I acknowledge the son as mine, then that is enough. I was thinking about looking into surrogacy. I know that Alan and George are doing the same thing.”

“Okay. I get that you need to have a son, but do you want one?” Sawyer asked. “There’s a huge difference.”

“I know. That’s what I need to be sure of.” He turned his horse and headed back down the trail, with Sawyer behind him. That was the big question, and one he didn’t trust himself enough to answer.

LUNCH AT the pub was as good as dinner had been the night before. Sawyer seemed to think so too, judging by the speed at which he ate his bangers and mash. “On Fridays, we do fish and chips,” the server told them with a smile. “It’s my favorite.”

“Good to know,” Sawyer told her, returning the smile. “Randall and I will have to come in to see how it is one of these weekends.”

She took their dishes and hurried away.

“How do you do that? You flash a smile and everyone goes all gooey-eyed.”

“I’m just being nice, and they do not,” Sawyer protested.

“Yes, they do. That server is barely legal, and she’s looking over here dreaming about taking you for a ride.” Part of him was teasing and part was jealous.

Sawyer glanced to the server and then back, his cheeks reddening. “I was just being nice. My mama told me that being nice to people didn’t cost anything, and sometimes it came with plenty of rewards. It’s not like I’m interested in her.”