Page 44 of Wrangled
“An adorable monster until he opened his mouth and meowed like a cat. Not quite so ferocious-sounding then.”
My cheeks hurt from laughing as I reach up and lift the latch on Willow’s stall. “Like I said, people suck, but animals are awesome.”
He nods, his jaw tight as he looks away for a moment.
“What’s happened to him?”
“I pulled in every favor I could so I could take him home with me. I must have worn them down somehow because eventually they agreed.” He swallows, lost in his memories. “He led a team to us when we were held captive. He wasn’t a search-and-rescue dog. He had no training, but he found us. He found me. Another day and I wouldn’t have made it. Sepsis had set in, and…it wasn’t good. He saved me. Saved Hamish. And then before I had healed enough to collect him, someone hit him with a Humvee and killed him outright.”
I cover my mouth with my hand. “That poor baby.”
He looks at me then and nods. “He was a good dog.”
I can’t help myself. I walk up to him and press myself to his chest, wrapping my arms around him. For a moment, he does nothing. Eventually, I feel his arms wrap around me in a soft but firm grip.
“What was his name?”
“Garfield.”
I tip my head back to look at him. That damn secret smile of his plays around the edges of his mouth.
“And you wonder why he thought he was a cat?” A heavy head lands on my shoulder. “Oof, easy, Willow. Easy, no need to be jealous. I love you the most.
“Pick a horse and mount up. Tack is on the wall over there,” I tell Riggs as I get Willow’s bridle, bit, and reins ready, followed by the saddle pad and saddle. I attach the stirrups to the saddle, and once I’m done, I turn to find Riggs finishing up himself.
I walk Willow out, murmuring to her softly. Once we’re outside, I hook my foot in the stirrups, heave myself up, and swing my leg over before leaning down and stroking my hand over Willow’s mane. “That’s my girl.”
Sitting on her back, I take a deep breath, feeling the rush of memories hit me. So much damage was done on this land. But there is still beauty to be found, I remind myself as I press a kiss to Willow’s head before sitting up. When Riggs joins us, I’m wired and raring to go. He must see the excitement on my face because he looks at me with the same amusement someone might look at a child on Christmas morning.
“Show me what you got, Opie.”
“Opie?”
He doesn’t answer, but winks with his good eye before tearing off ahead of me.
“Oh, you sneak. Come on, Willow. Let’s show him how it’s done.”
Icould have ridden for hours. I forgot how much I loved it. Though I’m sure I’ll be sore later, my body not used to the rigorous torment I just put it through, it was so worth it. My only regret is having to cut it short. As we approach the house, I get a tingle. Visitors. I see them when I move toward the riding pen, two older men in Stetsons, leaning on the fence, talking as they watch us approach. They must have walked around when nobody answered. I slow down to a canter as Riggs moves up beside me.
“You ready for this?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Can I ask you a question that might piss you off?”
I look over at him. “What’s that?”
“Are you selling the cattle because you really don’t want a part of that anymore, or because you hate your father so much you want to erase every trace of him?”
I bite my lip so I don’t lash out. It’s a simple question, even if the answer is complicated.
“Perhaps a little of both. I have little interest in ranching. I have a lot of other ideas I want to try my hand at, though. Do I like knowing that selling off the parts of this place that he built will hurt him, fuck yes. But it’s more than that. I don’t want my home, my safe space, surrounded by people I don’t trust, and I don’t trust anyone, Riggs. So I’m not sure how I’d get around that.”
“You trust me, at least a little, or I wouldn’t be here.”
“Maybe, but this place is too big for me and you to work alone.”
He rubs his jaw. “Don’t sell off any of the land. And though I think downsizing is a good idea if your heart isn’t in it, don’t get rid of all the cattle yet. I just don’t want you to make a decision you might later regret.”
