Page 9 of All of Us

“Yes. I will make sure he is comfortable on horseback. Can you send me his contact information so we can schedule something?”

“He’s a good man and is like a son to me, so I expect you to treat him as such. Like my family, not as your family, that would be weird.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll take care of it, Martin.”

“Thanks, Gentry.” He headed out of the barn, then turned around. “Make sure you keep it in your pants unless you plan to be in his life. He’s damaged but would be a real catch.” Then he got on a 4-wheeler and rode off.

Was he setting me up with this guy? I wouldn’t put it past him. The idea of being with someone wasn’t terrible. I just wanted someone who fit with me, and only one person who had ever done that. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I assumed it was Joe’s contact information.

After the morning feeding, I checked with my boss to see what our week held. On Wednesday and Saturday, I helped to collect semen. On Sunday and Monday, I was off work. We went over everything else that needed to be done, then I was left to figure it out.

Before I saddled up Dusty, I sent a quick text.

GENTRY

Hi, this is Gentry. I work for Martin Wilson. I’ve been asked to teach you how to ride.

With my phone in my pocket, I went about my day. When I returned to the barn a little after 1:00 p.m. I grabbed my lunch and decided to check social media. There was a message from Joe that had been sent mid-morning.

JOE

Oh. Okay. What do I do?

Something about his response made me chuckle.

GENTRY

Can you meet me tomorrow at Mr. Wilson's barn?

JOE

There are so many Mr. Wilson’s with barns. Which one?

I chuckled again. He wasn’t wrong.

GENTRY

Your brother’s barn. We are using one of his horses.

JOE

Depends on what time. I’ve got a man I need to spend some time with in the morning.

Around 1:00 p.m., okay?

His response intrigued me. I would learn more about it tomorrow.

GENTRY

That would be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.

JOE

I’m excited. I’ll see you then.

From the little bit of interaction I had with Joe, he seemed nice. I looked forward to tomorrow. I enjoyed meeting new people, and Arthur Wilson was such a nice person. I hoped his brother would be the same.

By the time 1:00 p.m. rolled around, I was sweaty and covered in cow shit. One of the water systems had broken, and I had been kneeling in wet mud in the pasture for the last few hours. I loaded Dusty in the horse trailer and drove up the road. The barn I was going to belonged to Montgomery Wilson, and I hoped there would be tack I could use.