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1
Garrett Macklin never wanted anything different than this life. As he slowly rode his horse towards the barn, he thought back over his day. Rising with the sun had been his life for as long as he could remember. Even as a teenager, he had been eager to be up with his dad and older brothers working the ranch. Now he lived on his own piece of the property, but after breakfast at the main house, he spent his day with the cattle. Some of his brothers hurried off to their own houses to be with their wives and family, and Garrett thought that was great for them.
But it wasn’t for him. Bachelor life was the plan. Sure, he could see his brothers were happy, but they also needed time away when they had a baby or their wife called with a broken oven in the middle of the day.
Garrett preferred to be with the horses and cattle. His days had a predictable rhythm, and he liked it. And when the cow got out in the middle of the night, he was the first one on the scene. And no one was at home texting to ask if he was done yet and when he was coming home.
In the barn, he jumped down from his horse.
“Long day?” his brother Jenson asked, looking up from where he was brushing down his own horse.
Garrett chuckled. “Aren’t they all?”
Jenson nodded. “Seems like it. But today was busier than some.”
“Yeah, it’s not over either. I’m going to grab some dinner, but then I’ve got to get back out to the pasture. One of the cows is in labor. She seems to be doing fine, but I want to check on her.”
Jenson patted Garrett on the shoulder as he walked past. “Thanks for taking up the slack. I know it’s been a busy season. I want to be here, but Sierra needs me at home tonight. The baby has an ear infection and he was up all night. He only wants to be held, and she’s had a rough day of it.”
Garrett gave him a half smile. “No problem. Happy to help.”
“Thanks, bro. I owe you one. We’ll all pay you back one day when you decide to settle down.”
“Nah, you don’t owe me anything. And I have no plans to settle down.”
Jenson laughed. “Then maybe one day we’ll just let you take a vacation.”
“What’s a vacation?” Garrett asked.
“It’s a mysterious thing. I’ve heard about it but never experienced it myself. Something about going and staying somewhere nice and relaxing.” Jenson shrugged. “If you take one, you’ll have to tell me about it.”
Garrett nodded. “Will do.” But he knew full well he wouldn’t be taking a vacation. He couldn’t exactly picture himself sitting on a beach with his feet propped up. Besides, his cowboy tan that was dark on his arms and face, but pale white everywhere else, would likely blind anyone who happened to walk by.
No, the closest thing he got to a vacation was driving a few hours away for a cattle auction. Riding in a truck was practically relaxing compared to chasing cattle.
He finished with his horse and double-checked that his tack was put away neatly. Nothing worse than finding his gear tangled up when he was in a hurry, or worse, damaged from being hung the wrong way.
Garrett quickened his pace as he walked towards the house. He didn’t know what his mom was making for dinner tonight, but whatever it was, it would be delicious as always. He knocked the dirt off his boots and removed his hat as he walked inside the house he’d grown up in. Voices echoing from the kitchen told him his brothers and their families were already waiting.
“Garrett, so glad you could join us,” his youngest brother Colton called out from where he leaned against the counter.
Garrett acknowledged him with a jerk of his head. “Well, you know, some of us have to put in a full day’s work before we take a break,” he said with a competitive edge to his voice.
“Oh, I put in a full day,” Colton said. “I was mending a broken fence while you were still dreaming about that time I beat you at the school track and field day. What was it? The hundred yard dash?”
Garrett scoffed. “You never beat me in a foot race in your life.”
Colton snapped his fingers. “Oh, right, right, it was the long jump.”
Lawson joined the conversation. “I beat both of you in the long jump.”
Colton and Garrett exchanged a look. “No way,” they said in unison.
“Besides,” Garrett said, “if either of you beat me in anything, it was probably because I was tired from winning the relay race, after I was up all night with the cows.”
Colton rolled his eyes. “Whatever, bro. You just keep telling yourself that.”
Mom stepped in and put one of her hands on each of them. “Alright, boys, enough of that. Let’s see who can be the most helpful at carrying the food to the table and setting out plates and silverware.”
