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I wanted to fight him, but there was the small matter of him being my boss to consider. Cooper’s eyes were wide, and he was grinning from ear to ear. “Nobody can make my mom do anything,” he said as Kipp walked back to him.
“Oh Nora, you owe money to the swear jar too.” Kipp’s voice was so happy, and I was getting more irritated by the second. Stopping in my tracks, I took two deep breaths. “I would guess you’re thinking some bad words right now too, so you might as well add a few more.” He laughed, and I could have throttled him. Marching to the house, I changed into my boots and leaned against the wall. How was I supposed to work here? He made me irate and turned on all at the same time.
Keep it together, Nora. You need this job and it was perfect. Get your head in the game and quit thinking of him without his shirt on. Shaking my head, I headed back out to where Cooper and Kipp were already on their horse.
“See, isn’t that better?” Kipp said, smirking. I wasn’t about to let this know-it-all think he’d won, so I slid my foot into the stirrup and swung up onto the horse.
“Wow, Mom, that was good.”
“It sure was, Cooper. Better than some rugged cowboys I’ve seen.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him focus more on me and I knew he was assessing how I sat in the saddle.
“Are we sitting here all day talking, or are we going to find a horse?” All business, that’s what I had to focus on. No more flirting or whatever we were doing here.
The beauty around us was stunning. The hills seemed close enough to touch, the light breeze still held a little chill from the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and the birds chirped and flew as we rode in silence. We walked through the pasture all the horses were in.
Cooper pointed out every horse, bird, frog, and bug. He was so comfortable here, and had become a totally different kid in a matter of twenty-four hours. I couldn’t help the smile on my face as I watched him.
“All right. Have you decided?” Kipp asked. Every horse on the ranch looked good. I knew just by looking at these animals, they treated them well. They weren’t spooky or skittish, and barely even looked up from the grass they were munching on.
“I don’t know. I like them all,” Cooper said, turning to look at me. I shrugged and let him keep looking. “What do you think, Kipp?”
“Well, you see that smaller chestnut horse over there, just over by the palomino?” Cooper followed where his finger was pointing, and he nodded. “I kind of think she’d be good for you. I’ve been working with her, and she’s a good horse. Not too big, but by the time you need something bigger, she’ll be ready for retirement.”
“All right, that sounds good.” Cooper nodded. “Does she have a name yet?” he asked, beaming with pride.
“She’s nameless, you can call her whatever you like.” He patted Cooper on the shoulder.
“Cimmanim,” he said proudly.
“Cinnamon?” I asked.
“Yeah, that’s what I said. She looks like the cimmanim you have in the kitchen.” He nodded and looked back at his horse. “Kipp, can we get closer?”
“Of course we can.” Kipp nudged his horse forward and I followed.
“She’s beautiful,” Cooper whispered.
“That she is,” Kipp replied. Instead of watching the horse, I watched my son and the man who was acting like a father out of the kindness of his heart.
We took our time getting back to the house, and Cooper had fallen asleep. “Nora, get off your horse, and I will hand him down to you.” There was no hesitation in his voice. He was confident in what needed to be done.
My legs felt a little like jelly. It had been years since I’d been on a horse, but I wasn’t going to let on that I wasn't moving so well. Reaching up, Kipp cautiously handed Cooper to me, and I gave him the reins for my horse in exchange. “He did good today.” Kipp nodded with a smile.
“You made his day. He’s never going to forget it.” I smiled and kissed the top of Cooper’s head. “I’m going to put him down, and get started on supper.” Turning, I headed back toward the house.
Being here made me miss home. It was a feeling I hadn’t had since the day I walked out the door, but this idyllic day made me wonder what my parents were doing? Had they missed me? Or wondered about the grandchild they never met? Of course they didn’t. They sent you packing so stop worrying about what they’re doing. You’re surviving on your own without their judging and holier than thou attitude. My brain was in all kinds of places today. But that little nagging feeling was right. I couldn’t let them stop me from making my life with Cooper. It was just the two of us, and we were making things work.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KIPP
“You done playing dad to that kid today?” Nash grumbled as he walked out of the barn.
“What’s your problem? It’s not like you’ve never fucked off for the day. How’s your dad, by the way?” I stared back at him. What I had said was a low blow, but I was the one who didn’t take days off, who didn’t go to town on a Friday night and would be useless for the next two days. I was here, and I was working, so nobody, including my best friend, would make me feel guilty about taking a few hours to make a little boy happy. Nash walked away without another word.
Leading the horses into the barn, I took the saddles off and brushed them down. “You know he’s not mad at you right?” Ryder said, popping out of the tack room. “His dad called a few hours ago, hammered and needing a ride. So you’re the person he always talks to, right? And you were gone, looking like a happy little family and it put him in a mood.” Ryder moved toward the door and turned back to me. “Go find him. There’s nothing here that needs attention.”
“Thanks, Ryder,” I said as I hung up the bridles and put the saddles on their racks and went to find Nash.
