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“It’s payday!”
“Are you sure?” I’m messing with him, but it’s too easy at his age.
He nods frantically. “Yes!”
“Did you hang the hay nets in the first few stalls?” I adjust my ponytail.
“Yep. I even cleaned some of them. I’m gonna finish doin’ that, then feed them so I can be home before dark.”
“Good idea. Once I’m done here, I’ll come find you.” I take the bridle out of the horse's mouth, then grab a brush and start at the top of his back down to his hind quarters.
Zach smiles wide. “Awesome! I’ve got some things to buy.”
I look at him over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes at what an eleven-year-old would need to buy. “Like what?”
“My friend’s birthday is coming up after July Fourth, and I want to get her somethin’,” he explains.
“Ohh…your girlfriend?”
“No, gross!” His face wrinkles, and he reminds me so much of Riley it’s scary. “She’s just my friend who’s a girl!”
“Whatever you say,” I sing-song as he storms away. I chuckle to myself, realizing I act the same way when people call me out. Riling him up is much more fun than being on the receiving end of it.
After everything is put up, I check the time, then go to my office and grab the cash I set aside for Zach. Ever since he’s been on summer break, the kid has worked his butt off without me having to micromanage his every move. He works harder than some of the adult ranch hands. Without him, I wouldn’t have had nearly as much time to finalize things for the horse rescue.
I’ve been keeping up with construction and ordering all the supplies we need. Some of the ranch hands have helped build the corral and finish adding locks and doors to the stalls.
When I meet up with him, sweat drips from his forehead. Working in the late-June heat is miserable for everyone, including the horses.
He sets down the shovel and looks up at me.
“Ready?” I ask, and he holds up his palm. When I went to the bank, I got mostly fives, tens, and a couple of twenties so he has a variety.
I count out two-hundred dollars, and his eyes light up at how thick the stack is.
“Oh wait. Can I borrow a hundred?” I ask with a smirk.
“Sure,” he says, handing me half of what I’ve given him.
Laughing, I shake my head. “I was just jokin’. You’re too sweet.”.
“I think you overpaid me, though,” he tells me, flipping through it.
“No, I didn’t. You earned that. Consider it a bonus. But don’t spend it all in one place for your girlfriend.”
He shoves it in his pocket, pride radiating off him. “She’s a friend who’s a girl!”
“What’s her name again? Lilac? Lily? Layla?”
“Lilia!” he corrects with an eye roll. “And she wants fairy lights and a vanity mirror for her room. Think I’ll have enough money?”
I chuckle. “Yes, you’ll have plenty. Make sure to also get her a sweet birthday card with a handwritten note. Chicks dig that.”
“Ugh.” He smacks a hand on his forehead.
Laughing, I watch as he gets back to what he was doing.
“You still gonna have time to feed the horses before dark?” I ask when I check the time.
