AllFreeNovel
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Thatwasinteresting.
An offer of employment, or at least an opportunity to talk about it. This was his chance to get back to work on a true working ranch, to leave behind the world of agritourism and dude ranches, and be a full-time, true cowboy again.
He could stay on at Littlecreek until the opening day event, just like he’d promised Takis, and then, provided the pay was right, he could head straight over to Rosy Pastures to get back to his roots.
Chuck made a mental note to call Tyson back later on. Right now though, he had a more important call to make. He shuffled quietly out of the makeshift bed, and dialed Trent’s number.
“I knew it.” Damn, his brother was smug.
“Yeah, yeah, sure you did.”
“It’s obvious. The way you are with the animals, you’re the same with people.”
“I didn’t even say I know for sure.”
Trent snorted with laughter. “Little brother, if someone says to you, ‘I think I’m a Daddy,’ then, believe me, they’re a Daddy.”
Chuck didn’t live with his brothers in the ranch house anymore. Ever since Takis had moved in, he’d taken residence in a small cabin he’d built with his father in the small woodland around the creek. It was — technically — a treehouse, since you entered at ground level, and walked up to the treetops. But it was more solid than an actual treehouse — they’d driven in foundations, and there was no actual weight resting on any of the trees it surrounded.
It meant that, luckily, he could talk without Takis hearing.
“Whatever you say.”
“The Daddy thing, I buy,” his brother said. “Honestly I’m having more time accepting that you care this much for Millie.”
“Huh?”
“Frankly, you’ve shown so little interest in women recently that I thought you were gay.”
“Told you. Hadn’t found the right one—“
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” His brother sounded genuinely excited, which could mean only one thing. He’d worked something out. “You’re in love with her. Always have been.”
Chuck was stunned. Was it really that obvious? He searched for the right words but ended up gawping like a fish in a tank.
“Fuck, Chuck. This is wild. How did I not see this before? How could I have been so blind? I figured it out in the end though!” Trent sounded so happy he was practically laughing.
Chuck was distracted, just for a moment, by the sight of a chipmunk, prancing along the branch of a nearby tree.
“Yeah, well… congratulations, I guess.”
“No, man, congratulations toyou. This is fucking huge. Duke’s gonna be so damn happy.”
“Don’t tell Duke.”
“Are you kidding me? Duke’ll sniff this out quicker than a hog snuffling for truffles.”
Chuck sighed. “Fine. Tell Duke. Fuck. But tell him not to tell—“ Chuck cut himself off. This was ridiculous. “Look, I’m not calling you to gossip. I need help, Trent. She’s vulnerable. Last night she was so drunk it could have killed her — seriously.”
“I understand. This is a dangerous time for her.”
“Right.”
“Firstly, and most importantly, now isn’t the time for discipline,” said Trent. “Not right away.”
“It’s not?” Chuck’s head was spinning.
“Radical empathy. That’s what’s required. Understanding. Kindness. Sympathy.”
