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Trent hesitated. It had been a long time since he’d confided in anyone. He trusted his brothers and respected their counsel, but he didn’t feel particularly close to them right now. They had their little club. They were Daddies with Littles. A club that he was well and truly not a member of.
“Is it just the illness?” Chuck asked.
It was no good. He had to at least try to be sincere with them, even if they teased him for it. So, with a sigh, he recounted the situation—just how serious the mysterious illness plaguing their animals could be, the potential threat to the ranch, and—finally—his harsh dismissal of Patti’s offer to help.
“Sounds like you got a lot on your plate,” Chuck said sympathetically, clapping a hand on Trent’s shoulder. “But maybe you oughta give Patti’s offer some thought. She’s smart, capable, and she cares. That’s more than most folks can say.”
Trent frowned, considering his brother’s words as the cattle shifted restlessly in the pen. Patti had been nothing but kind to him, even when he’d been cold and distant. Perhaps it was time to let her in, to share the burden he’d been carrying for so long.
Maybe he could stay professional, and not add to her worries by sharing how he felt with her.
“Think about it, Trent,” Duke urged. “You don’t have to face this alone.”
He imagined it. What it might be like to work with her. Having her around him all day long. That big smile. Those beautiful eyes. Her positivity. Her willingness to learn. Her impossibly sexy, ridiculously hot ass.
No. It was hopeless.
“I do,” he shrugged. “Can’t take on a proper medic. You guys are busy. Patti’s… not qualified.”
Duke paced back and forth, his boots kicking up dust. Finally, he spoke his mind. “Trent, you’ve always handled these things on your own. Maybe there’s no reason to change that now. Maybe you’re right—Patti’s not qualified.”
This took Trent by surprise. Was his brother playing devil’s advocate? There had been a time when Duke had tried to avoid spending time with Anita, and she’d ended up being his Little.
Chuck looked furious. “Except Patti isn’t just anybody. Damn, Duke, you’re still a bonehead.” He leaned against the fence post with a knowing smile. “Trent, I’ve seen the way you look at Patti. And the way she looks at you. You oughta apologize and take her up on her offer. She could be a real help to you. And more.”
Trent clenched his jaw, his eyes darting between his brothers as their words warred within him. He knew Duke had a point – he’d always been self-reliant, and perhaps it was time he leaned on someone else for a change.
But as Trent’s gaze fell on Chuck, a small part of him recognized the truth in his brother’s words. Patti wasn’t just anyone, and his feelings for her were far from simple. It wasn’t easy for him to admit, but there was something about her that made him want to be a better man.
“Y’all might find this interesting,” Chuck continued, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Millie told me something. Patti’s been struggling in Little Space.”
“She has?” Trent couldn’t hide the guilt in his voice.
“Mmmhm. Apparently, she was more withdrawn than usual. Anxious. Struggled with decisions. Making up her mind.”
“It’s my fault, isn’t it?”
“You can fix it,” Chuck said. “In fact, you’re the only one who can fix it.”
“Maybe…” Trent hesitated, his heart pounding in his ears as he considered the possibility of letting Patti into his carefully guarded world. “Maybe I do owe her an apology.”
“Damn right you do,” Chuck agreed, flashing him a supportive grin.
More of the cows were sick. Nine in total. Trent collected samples and prepared them for the lab.
“Takis isn’t going to be happy,” Chuck said.
“He loves these animals. Bunny does too,” Trent agreed.
“More than that though,” Duke said, adjusting his cowboy hat to shield his eyes from the setting sun which was streaming into the barn. “Takis has been turning down requests left and right. Says he’s having to tighten the purse strings. Not going to be happy having to pay… how much did you say?”
“Considering we don’t know what we’re testing for, it’s… a lot. A couple thousand, maybe. We have to test each animal individually.”
“Yep,” Chuck said, “he’s not going to be happy. He’s refusing spending requests left, right, and center.”
Trent knew he had to be careful with money, but he didn’t know it was this bad. His mind raced as he considered the implications. He had always been focused on the animals’ wellbeing, often leaving the financial aspects to Takis and his brothers. But now, with a potential epidemic threatening their livelihood, he couldn’t ignore the monetary strain any longer.
“Maybe we could sell a few acres, or lease them out,” Duke suggested, his voice gruff.
