He nods once before exiting the barn and trusting me with my duties today. I like that about Gunner. No micromanaging.
I’m lost in my thoughts, my shovel scraping the floor as I hum quietly to myself, when a booming voice fills the barn.
“Colt! You in here?”
Jesse’s voice echoes in the empty barn, and I exit from the stall I was cleaning.
“Yeah, Jesse. I’m here.”
He waves for me to join him and, after leaning my shovel on the stall, I remove my work gloves and meet him at the front of the barn.
“You’re the only one I trust with this Colt.”
“With what?”
He leans against the closest stall, and a softness crosses his face that I don’t see very often. “I need you to show the new social media guy all the best parts of the ranch. Tell him stories, take him places, take him on rides. Teach him how to fly fish. Show him the best of everything.” He steps forward and squeezes my shoulder. “I know you don’t like big changes, but you’re great at what you do, and I know you love it here. So work alongside this guy for me, okay?”
Jesse doesn’t ask much of me except to do a great job and represent Snow Creek Ranch to the best of my abilities. I knew this was coming, and now that it’s here, I can’t hide from it any longer.
“Of course I will, Jesse. Do you have anything specific in mind for me to start with? Or…well, anything?”
He shakes his head and claps me on the shoulder before stepping back. “Just sell all the best things about Snow Creek Ranch. I know you won’t let me down, Colt. I’ll find you later.”
Jesse nods once, effectively ending the conversation, before turning and leaving the barn. The door bumps softly behind him, and once again I’m alone in the barn.
“Okay, then.”
Returning to the stall I was working in, I try not tothink of how much my days might change with this new development. It’s best to just do my work and let the day unfold.
Something good will come of it eventually. It always does once I ride it out. Until then, I’ll enjoy my morning.
“See you all tomorrow,”I call out to the horses with a laugh.
Trixie actually bobs her head like she understands, and I stroll from the barn to my truck. Jesse never came to find me later, like he said he would, and somehow I made it through the day without thinking about it too much. Which is probably for the best.
Before hopping into my truck, I notice a piece of paper under the wiper blade and pluck it out before sliding behind the steering wheel. After pressing the button to start my truck—I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that—I unfold the note.
Colt,
Since you didn’t answer your cell, I’m assuming you left it at home again.
Guy’s name is Ethan. He’ll find you in the barn tomorrow morning. Don’t worry about doing chores with the others. Just do what Ethan needs. Gunner knows you’re unavailable as well. Ethan is your priority.
Jesse
With a puff of my cheeks, I set the paper on the seat next to me and shift the truck into gear. Tomorrow it all starts then. My fingers grip the wheel harderthan necessary as I drive. The scenery I love to watch along the road is a blur as my chest grows tighter.
Once I’m on a straight stretch, I pull over to unbuckle. After flinging the door open, I jump out and fill my lungs with several deep inhales.
“Get it together, Colt. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a bout of anxiety like this one. Probably something I should examine and talk about, but for now, I’ll keep it to myself. The tightness loosens, and I slump against the side of the truck. God, I wish I weren’t like this.
Change.
It’s both my biggest thrill and my downfall. It’s not that I hate trying new things. Not even close. I enjoy new things. I even tried sushi once, and surprisingly, I quite liked it. It’s my comfort of routine vanishing that unsettles me. I knew this was coming, and I knew it would change things for me on the job.
However, knowing and preparing are two separate things.
