Page 51 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

“Don’t you work for the department of transportation?” Olivia asks.

“I do. But I’m ready for a change. Don’t want to spend my life alone on the road. I want to be here, with my family.” His eyes twinkle at me, turning my insides to jelly.

“I mean, he’s already family. His sister married our brother,” James offers.

Reid scratches his beard in contemplation, Izzy softly finger combing his hair, whispering in his ear. Olivia, Greyson, and James chatter excitedly about the possibilities.

“If you’re serious, you’re hired,” Reid decides.

“Fuck yea!” Connor shouts. “I mean, yes, I’m serious. Thank you for the opportunity. Delilah and I were talking about me becoming a farrier and working on the ranch that way. But this’ll be the perfect way to learn my way around the ranch and the horses. If it’s alright, I’d still like to look into a farrier program. I could do both,” he offers, hope filling his voice.

“Didn’t think you’d be the solution to all my problems, Hayes.” Reid shifts Izzy off his lap and comes to stand in front of us. Connor gets to his feet and the men shake hands, sealing the deal.

“Welcome to Lucky Spurs Ranch.”

“I’ll put in my notice Monday morning. There’s always a surplus of folks wanting seasonal work, so I doubt they’ll make me work my notice. Can I get with you once I have a solid end date?” Connor asks.

I disappear into my head, tuning out the logistics, the excitement, and the planning. Everything’s fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle. Everyone’s finding their place at Lucky Spurs Ranch, and it feels right.

It’s too easy. Too convenient. But maybe life doesn’t always have to be hard. Maybe sometimes things fall into place the way they’re meant to.

Connor transforms before my eyes. He wasn’t unhappy before, but he wasn’t fulfilled or challenged, either. This may be the perfect solution to make his life complete.

If only I got to be in that life as more than just a friend.

26

Inever considered myself a city boy. I worked in the mountains with fucking asphalt for god sake—but I was sorely underprepared for what waited for me at Lucky Spurs Ranch.

Working on a ranch is a whole new level of exhaustion. My days begin even earlier than before—too early to be called morning in my opinion—and end later.

I’d complain about the long hours if it weren’t for loving everything I’m learning from Reid and from the farrier program I signed up for. Never would’ve guessed I’d find my place with horses, but here I am, covered in their shit and smiling about it.

Reid started me out taking over the day-to-day care of the horses and facilities. Took me a few days but soon I was a pro at feeding, watering, and turning the beasts out for the day.

Now he’s got me managing supplies and coordinating with the veterinarian and other folks that work with the ranch.

He’s still managing the boarding schedule, but I’ve been shadowing him on all boarding activities since day one, so it’s a matter of time before he sets me loose with that responsibility.

I didn’t realize how burnt out I was working on the highway, but the slower pace at the ranch soothes my soul. Each morning, crossing over the property line onto the ranch drops my shoulders from my ears, and I can breathe.

Don’t have anything to rush home for each night since Delilah carpools with me nearly every day to do her own learning on the ranch. I’m more at peace than I’ve ever been that she’s safe and happy both at home and out in the world.

I’m comforted that on top of my already obsessive claim on Delilah, Reid takes over-protective to a whole new level. Nothing goes on at the ranch without him knowing about it, and he’ll kill anyone who comes to harm his family, which includes Delilah, and strangely, me.

On the odd day I’m not at the ranch or am separated from Delilah, I’m relieved her sister, Reid, James, Mr. and Mrs. Andersen, and often times Greyson or Olivia, are nearby.

Our busy schedules have helped Delilah and I ease back into spending time together, and the awkwardness has faded. We aren’t back to where we were, but it’s better, and that’s all I can ask for at this point.

It’s quitting time on Friday and the whole family’s coming out to celebrate Reid’s birthday with a bonfire. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen are tucked in for the night, babysitting Greyson’s daughter Harper, so he can let loose tonight.

“Thirty-four, huh? Last year of your early thirties,” James taunts his younger brother.

“Still younger than you, dickhead,” Reid retorts.

“Dickhead? Seriously? That’s all you’ve got? Isabelle’s made you soft.” James teases.

“I’ll show you soft.” Izzy grabs a s’mores skewer and chases a laughing James threatening to stick it up his ass.