Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Too stunned to make sense of what just happened, I stumble to say, “I’m glad it worked out.”
“I hear you’re leaving Friday, but if you’re looking for work, Davey won’t be back until next week. We sure could use the extra hands around here.”
My eyes trail upward to see Pris duck from the window. She wouldn’t let me fix my reaction today, so maybe I can fix it tomorrow. I reach my hand out. When he takes it to shake, I say, “I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning. Is it okay if I bring Beckett with me?”
“Bring him. I can show him how to clean out the horse stalls.” His chuckle bounces his belly before he turns, heading back to the house. “I’ll see you in the morn.”
Should I have said no? Probably.
Do I regret saying yes? Not one bit.
“See you tomorrow, Mr. Greene.” I get in the truck and start the engine. I miss the convenience of leaving the keys in the vehicle and not having it stolen. I turn around and head for my parents before Pris gets wind of the offer her dad just made.
Pris will be pissed.
I get back before the sun finally sets and hop out, excited to see Beck. He runs from the house like a dust devil let loose, right into my arms. Lifting him, I kiss the top of his head. “Missed you, buddy.”
“Missed you, too, Daddy.”
I shift him to my back, where he holds on like a little monkey. “Tell me everything about your day."
My mom stands in the doorway with a smile on her face. “Did you work up an appetite?”
It’s been a long time since I heard her ask that question. Hearing her now makes me homesick. “Sure did. What’s for dinner?” I asked that every night growing up. It’s weird how it’s starting to feel like I never left home.
“Rollingwood Ranch steaks tonight, baked potatoes, and—”
“Broccoli,” Beck snarks, and I’m already imagining his scrunched face. It’s not his favorite vegetable, but he won’t push it away. Even though Anna calls him picky, I’ve never seen it. He’s a good eater like his dad when he’s with me.
Rollingwood Ranch wasn’t such a name back then. It was just steaks from the Greenes. They were always the best. I step up onto the porch. “What’s the fancy occasion?”
“You and Beck being home.”
She’s about to walk inside, but I take her hand to stop her from leaving. Hugging her, I then kiss her cheek. “It’s good to be here again.” With her arms around both me and the monkey on my back, she sniffles. I release her and whisper, “Don’t cry. It won’t be so long next time.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” And a promise is something I always keep . . . except when it comes to the one I made my best friend. Fuck. Some friend I am.
We move inside, where Dad is putting the food on the table. He takes one look at me. “Shower or dinner?”
“Dinner. I’m starved.”
He sets a plate down on the table with cornbread squares and a bowl of broccoli next to it. “Sit. Eat. Looks like you’ve had a day.”
My mom sets a plate of food in front of Beck, then makes one up for me, though she doesn’t need to. I think part of her misses taking care of my brother and me. My dad is a good partner to her, but she’s a mom through and through.
“Thanks, Mom.” I dig into the steak, savoring how good it is. I’ve had the best steaks around the world, but nothing beats this one.
“You’re welcome.” She sits down with her own plate and asks, “What did Thomas have you do?”
“Not Mr. Greene. Pris had me herding with her today. Davey was out because his wife had a baby.”
“Oh, that’s great news,” she replies, clasping her hands in front of her. “I think I’ll deliver a meal out to them tomorrow.”
“I think they’ll appreciate that, Mary.” Dad takes a big bite, then washes it down with water. “So you were herding? How’d that go? It’s been a long time since you were driving a herd like that.”
I can feel my shoulders slump forward, the adrenaline of the day wearing off as exhaustion replaces it. “I’m sure I’ll feel it tomorrow.”
“Looks like you’re already feeling it,” my mom says with concern running through her eyes. “You might want an early night.”
“Yeah, I’ll get Beck to bed and head up after that. I promised him Beck and I would help out tomorrow again.”
Throwing his arms in the air, he says, “I want to herd cows.”
“Do you know what that means?”
“No,” he says so honestly. I miss this when we’re apart. The openness, the trust he instills in me, the love that he gives without question. I’m not the bad guy Anna calls me. To him, I’m his hero, and I intend to live up to the title like my dad did.