Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“I love this ranch, Dolly. It’s my home. I want to help it flourish, and I wanted to respect my mom’s wishes. I know it’s gotten bad but I think I can help my Dad turn it around. I didn’t spend the past four years learning nothing.”
There is a sincerity in his words. He’s not just telling me things I want to hear. This is his passion, and it’s become mine too. The Rowdys have treated me so well and I want to give back to them as badly as Angus does.
We lean against his truck, taking in the view. My hand drifts into his. He doesn’t express his emotions in the best of ways, but when you get past his shell, there’s a good heart in there.
The things I’m feeling are so complex that I’m not sure how to really deal with them. We turn to face one another. There’s a slight smile on his face, and he’s so handsome, his eyes glistening in the moonlight.
I’m amazed what I’m feeling about Angus Rowdy, of all people. I always thought he was an asshole, but I guess I was wrong. He shares a long gaze with me as well, us leaning into one another. Something’s going to happen, and my heart is racing.
A loud whinnying echoes through the night. It sounds painful. Angus snaps away and goes to the barn, and I’m quick to follow. I’ve been learning a bit about the ranch these past few years, but I defer to people who grew up here like Angus.
“Oh, Cheddar,” he says, looking into the stable.
Cheddar is one of the ranch’s mares. She’s pregnant, or at least, was pregnant. She’s currently in the process of concluding that journey.
“I remember when Cheddar herself was a filly,” Angus says. “It wasn’t that long ago. It’s amazing how times change.”
I watch the scene, as the mare gives birth to her new foal. Angus watches intently as well, but he’s prepared to step in if Cheddar needs it. Cheddar is having no problems, it seems, beyond the normal trials of labor.
There’s a beauty to the whole scene. It’s messy, but that’s nature. The tiny horse emerges from its mother, and the mare tends to it, licking its snout to let it know who birthed it. The two horses’ eyes meet, and my heart melts. The bond of mother and child. I instinctively yearn for it.
I don’t even notice that my hand met Angus’s as we watched Cheddar begin her family. A gut feeling brings my eyes to the man I suddenly realize I want to build my own family with. It’s hard to deny the reality of it all, and just as overwhelming and beautiful as watching Cheddar give birth.
I never really considered it before, but I think Angus is destined to be the stallion to my mare.
5
ANGUS
Her arms slip around my waist, naturally and silently, just as her fingers met mine. Without even thinking about it, we have grown a whole lot closer than I ever anticipated us being, and quite fast too.
I didn’t expect seeing Cheddar give birth would make her break down like this. It tickles something inside of me too, yes. She’s crying, her tears soaking my shirt. I chuckle softly.
“I’m sorry,” she says, stepping back.
“Sorry for what? Crying? It’s a pretty impressive sight, a wonder of nature.”
“No... just... I don't know.” She shakes her head, wracked with emotion. She’s fidgeting in place, trying to figure out what she wants to say. “Thanks for helping me back there.”
“You already thanked me. And I already told you it was no big deal. I’d do anything for you, Dolly.”
She let out a long sigh. “Because I’m your sister’s best friend?”
The tension between us is so strong. She’s looking for an out here. Does she realize how awkward this is for me? I feel so much for her, but her friendship with my sister does hang over us. Not to mention if the whole town thinks I’m an asshole, I have no idea what that would mean for her to be associated with me.
We stand in silence, watching Cheddar nurse her newborn foal. Our hands meet again. Our eyes drifting toward one another. And then she’s in my arms once more. Our embrace is tighter this time. I want her, and she wants me. We edge along...
Only for lights to blind the two of us, another truck rolling up on the ranch.
I shield my eyes as I walk out of the barn.
The truck doors open and slam shut. It’s Red and Annie. “Didn’t expect you all back so soon,” I call.
“We got kinda tired of the whole scene,” my little sister says. “That incident took the wind out of our sails and we decided to head back and check up on you two.”
“Oh, we’re doing fine,” Dolly says as she comes up behind me, putting on her own bright, smiling face and acting like nothing happened between us back in that barn.