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“Why did that sound so poetic?” she said. “Have you practiced that line on a lot of girls?”
“Never,” I said. “Maybe it’s you that brings out the poet in me.”
“Maybe it is,” she said.
“Wow, this is absolutely beautiful.” Olivia’s face lit up with happiness as she stared at the sunrise in front of the mountains. “I’ve never seen a sunrise like this before.”
“What? Not even in New York?” I laughed as she pushed me slightly.
“No, goofy. Not even in New York. It’s wondrous,” she said. “And look over there. Look at those cows.”
“You’ve never seen a cow before?”
“Yes, I’ve seen a cow, but I’ve never seen calves, and they just look so happy. And then the goats and chickens . . .”
“I guess, welcome to the ranch.”
“Do you have pigs as well?”
“We do.”
“Potbelly pigs?”
“We have one. He’s a big mess, but we love him.”
“Wow. It’s idyllic living here.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s idyllic. It’s a lot of work.” I sighed. “Anyway, I don’t want to talk about work. Not right now.”
“Sorry,” she said softly.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one that took it to that place.”
“I guess it’s always on your mind.”
“When you’re a cattleman, your whole life is the ranch,” I told her. “You have to think about the business twenty-four seven. It can be overwhelming.”
“If you were given a choice to not do it, would you still do it?” she asked. “What if one of your brothers said, ‘I want to run the ranch, let me do it. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this opportunity.’ What would you say?”
“That’s actually an interesting idea. I guess I’ve never really thought about it.”
“Really? With six brothers?”
“I’m the eldest, the responsible one. The one that’s taken on the majority of the tasks and chores. I guess I’ve always assumed this was my place at the head of the family. I mean, my dad’s still the head of the family, of course, but . . .”
“I know what you mean,” she said. “But if Austin or Chet or Wyatt or your other brothers asked to take over, what would you say?”
“That’s an interesting question.” I studied her for a few seconds, then shook my head. “You know, I don’t know that I’d want to give it up. I’ve always felt like this was a burden, but the thought of one of my brothers taking my place actually makes me sad. It makes me feel like I would be losing something.”
“I guess it’s your birthright, huh?”
“I guess so. It’s not like we’re royalty or anything, but I do feel like it’s something I’ve been destined for and something my firstborn son—”
“What about your daughter?” she interrupted me.
“Or daughter, if she wanted it. My firstborn, period.”
“It’s okay.” She laughed. “You don’t have to be PC with me. I’m sure that a woman would be capable of running a ranch, but I guess it’s more typical for a man to run it.”
