Page 72 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Asher closed the scrapbook and stood. “Why didn’t you give this to me before?”

“I’ve found there’s a right time for things,” Big E explained. “You might have heard me, but I don’t know if you were open to listen, in here.” Big E put a hand over his chest.

Asher understood and tucked the notebook carefully into a drawer in the bedside table. “Thank you for this and not giving up on me.”

“You’re family.” Big E smiled. “I don’t know any other way.”

Asher was glad to have Elias Blackwell in his corner. A quick change into his jeans, cotton shirt and favorite cowboy hat, then Asher met Big E and they headed to the stables.

The lunch hour was quickly approaching just as Big E and Asher made it out to the pasture patrol to exercise the trio and check on Pride. They worked with the horses through lunch and only just finished cooling them down when Joe showed up.

Asher and Big E joined Joe at the pasture fence.

“Welcome back,” Joe said. “Heard from Owen you were here. He’s expecting you at the parade float this afternoon for final touches.”

“I will be there.” Asher grinned. “I’m looking forward to seeing it.” There was a special cowgirl he was looking forward to seeing even more. He just had not quite figured out what he was going to say to Kelley when he finally saw her.I’m backseemed a little less than satisfactory. AndI’m sorryseemed hardly enough for his spirited cowgirl.

“I owe you an apology.” Joe stepped forward and reached an arm over toward Asher. “For not listening about Derby Dreamer.”

Asher gave Joe a solid handshake and a nod.

“I’ve got no excuse except pride,” Joe admitted and scratched his weathered cheek. “Seems I’ve been fighting to prove time wrong. To prove I haven’t lost a step the past few years.”

“Getting older doesn’t mean a cowboy stops making mistakes.” Big E braced his arms on the fence and considered Joe.

Asher knew his fair share about making mistakes. He was going to get to righting a few shortly. Just as soon as he got his cowgirl alone.

“But age does give us the insight to own up to our mistakes faster,” Joe said, his words wry. He took off his cowboy hat and tapped it against his leg. “And I’m doing that now.”

“Appreciate it,” Asher said, and noted the shadows under the older cowboy’s eyes and that his hair was more gray than brown. “Looks like you’ve got more on your mind, though.”

“I need to step away,” Joe said.

Surprised, Asher asked, “For how long?”

“I’m still figuring that out.” Joe brushed the dust off his hat brim. “I watched Walter fade away on these lands. I don’t want that. If the legacy I leave is that I was fully present with my wife and kids and grandkids in my final years, then that is more than enough for me.”

“Family first,” Big E said, with clear approval.

“Take all the time you need,” Asher said, repeating the words his own boss had told him when Asher turned down the London job offer and requested an extended leave. “But can you tell me what happened? Was there something more to it than Derby Dreamer?”

“Watching Derby Dreamer falter on that warm-up track at the Rising Star Classic all but did my heart in,” Joe confessed. “But the truth is I haven’t been at my best since Walter passed. That’s no good for the horses or anyone.”

Asher nodded and realized he was starting to find his best. Perhaps for the first time.

“Walter and me, we did real good. We were a team. We trusted each other and we were loyal to the end. That’s why we made magic on the track together,” Joe explained and held Asher’s gaze. “Now it’s time for you to take the reins, Asher. You’ve got it in you. Find your own team and you will make your own magic.”

Joe had his back, too. Just like that, his foundation was feeling even more steady. Asher asked, “When are you leaving?”

“I’ll tie up a few things here. Speak to the staff and take off before the week is out,” Joe said, a small grin on his face. “I got time to make up for with my wife and family. I’m going to get to that vacation we put off for far too long. I don’t want any regrets.”

Handshakes all around and Joe walked away.

“I know a thing or two about regrets,” Big E said and propped his boot on the bottom fence post. “I had quite a collection myself at one time.”

“What did you do?” Asher asked.

“Dusted ’em off, put on my boots and got down to the business of going toe-to-toe with each one,” Big E said, amusement in his tone. Yet, there was a solemn glint in his gaze as if it was a hard-won fight.