There was a feed room behind it, and there was a built-in shelving unit on one wall. There were chargers lined up and some were empty, some had walkies on them.
“The rules is, if you go outside of yelling distance, you take one with you. No matter how short time or safe seeming task. It’s non-negotiable. If you don’t have one, you go pick one up from whichever barn and return it where you took it. If you can’t remember at the end of the day—trust me that happens more often than you’d think—you can bring it here. Tommy will check the distribution every week at least once so no barn is left without extras. All the barn managers have one, as do the Harringtons and Russ. That’s another rule.”
I nodded and took in the organization of everything. It seemed like a very handy system. “Copy that. Seems real smart.”
“I’m sure Crew told you how this came to be. They just expanded on that over the years as the operation grew.”
“And then grew some more.” I grinned.
“Oh yes.” She clapped my arm with her calloused hand. “Go get your kid. Then in the morning, check with Crew if he needs you. If he doesn’t, see you tomorrow!”
I tipped my ball cap at her and went off to find my son. I had a feeling I’d have to remind him to chew his dinner and then after a bath, he’d fall asleep pretty fast.
Then again, I wouldn’t be far behind. Everything ached in that pleasant way of getting back to manual labor. I was built for this shit, meant to do it. It was my purpose.
Well, that, and being the best dad I could be for Tony. Everything else was secondary.
Chapter 8
Crew
One of Dad’s favorite idioms was “Good stallions make great geldings.”
It was something I agreed wholeheartedly with. Our breeding program was about bettering the breed, increasing diversity, and producing quality horses. We did what was best for the horse. Period.
The yearling in front of me was a stallion prospect out of our mare, Helen Mirren. Gray coat, flaxen mane and tail, just like his dam. But more than that, he had her good mind and excellent confirmation. He was poetry in motion as I worked him on the lunge line.
Most of our colts I knew would end up as geldings, but this guy? He had the potential to be an excellent stud. Which is why we’d hung onto him until we could see how he grew. I thought he was going to be amazing. He had the natural floaty gait weloved to see and changed leads like a pro. Demi thought he was something special, too.
We didn’t keep stallions here at Blue Creek Ranch but he was a testament to our program.
“B2 to CH.”
The sudden noise caused the yearling to startle but we’d work on that eventually. He was just a baby.
“Easy,” I murmured, and he settled. I keyed the two-way. “Go for Crew.”
“Where you at?” Wyanne asked, voice low.
“Round pen with King,” I answered. “You need me?”
“I’ll be right there. Over.”
I didn’t bother to respond and clipped the two-way back to my belt. I had King change directions and he walked on. I clicked my tongue and got him to go faster, the lope as pretty as ever. Yeah, we’d make a good sale with this one.
Ten minutes later, Wy squeezed through the gate and into the pen. I kept my eyes on King, not because he was unpredictable but because it was safer for everyone if I did. Wy waited for King to lope past, then hurried to my side. She turned with me as I kept working King.
“What’s up?”
“Mal’s great,” she began with no preamble. “Levelheaded, hard worker, good problem solver. He knows animals, treats them with respect. And he shows initiative. If he sees something that needs doing, he just does it. He doesn’t have to be told. Three days and he’s already my favorite. I’m keeping him.”
I chuckled. “That’s good to hear. Not that I expected anything less. What’s the ‘but’?”
She glanced at me then turned her attention back to King. “Why would there be a ‘but’?”
“Because you sought me out instead of just telling me at the manager’s meeting. What gives?”
Wy didn’t answer for a long few seconds, but she shifted on her feet. She’d worked for me for almost ten years and was one of my most trusted employees. She was trying to figure out what to say or more likely if sheshouldsay it. I waited her out. I wouldn’t get anywhere if I tried to rush her.
