Page 144 of Blue Jean Summer

There wasn’t anyone I wanted to go through the mountains and valleys of life with other than Hayes Wilder.

“I can walk, you know,” I grunted as he began to move again.

“Are you going to walk back inside and start working again?”

The answer was yes, but I wasn’t about to incriminate myself.

“Uh-huh,” Hayes teased after a beat of silence. “That’s what I thought.”

“Come on,” I groaned.

We didn’t even make it out of the rose garden before I was being upended again. I caught sight of long legs and freshly oiled hooves before I landed on my feet. Maisey and Elvis looked at me like I was the weird one.

I let out a low whistle when I looked at the new saddles they sported. “You two look fancy.” I spotted the SS logo that had been branded behind the pommel. “Custom saddles from Savannah?”

“I figured they were overdue for an upgrade,” Hayes said as he set my boots in front of me and held his hands out so I wouldn’t topple over as I put them on.

I smoothed my hand over the detailed design that had been branded into the edges of the saddle.

Hayes wore a mischievous smile as he grabbed my ass and gave me a boost. “Up you go.”

We took off, trotting up toward the cottage. I gave a wave to two of the volunteers who were outside with our little herd of cows.

Blanche, the matriarch of the bunch, stood sentry over the little ones as the volunteers made sure the bedding in the shelter was fresh, the water was clean, and they were happy and healthy.

“Did I tell you that the permits to start selling milk were approved?” I asked.

Hayes looked over from his spot on Maisey’s back. “No shit?”

“Got the email this morning.”

Hayes grinned. “That’s my girl. Does that mean the business program is a go?”

Jeremiah and Mike had cornered me about partnering with them to start a similar venture to the agricultural appreciation program that encouraged kids to dive into the business world. Since we had a growing herd of cows and more milk than we knew what to do with, the three of us set out to get a permanent pasteurization process in place and the appropriate permits to sell it.

“I think we’ll launch in the fall. It’s not exactly the ideal time of year for an ice-cream stand, but we can set up a booth at the Apple Festival,” I said.

For the kids who weren’t particularly interested in livestock and agriculture, the young business owner program would teach them skills like marketing and accounting, understanding labor costs and the cost of goods when creating products. But it would also engage them in making business plans and learning how to strategize.

Besides, math was way more fun when it has to do with ice cream.

Jeremiah and Mike were taking the reins, but I was on deck to advise and connect the two programs. They had hordes of business owners clamoring to get involved, and even more students.

“Is this what you imagined life looking like after you hung up your crown?” he asked as we took a left by the front gates and followed the property line to the mountains.

“No,” I said with an honest-to-goodness laugh. “Not at all.” I surveyed the rolling hills and plains. “I definitely didn’t expect to be living here. Or to have two social initiatives up and running.” I nudged my shoulder in his direction. “I definitely didn’t expect you.”

“That makes two of us,” he said with another smile.

I decided to call him out on it. “You’re in a good mood today.”

Hayes chuckled as he tugged on the reins to get Maisey to take a turn, edging around the foothills.

“You’re not going to tell me why you’re in a good mood?” I asked.

Hayes shrugged. “Just am.”

“That’s suspicious,” I sang as we passed Levi’s house. “Are we heading up to the kissing rock?” I asked.