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“If you’re not cool with it, then…”
“We need the money.” He grimaced. “I mean, we’re doing okay, but we’re not making as much money from on crops as we need to keep the ranch going.”
“I guess it’s quite expensive, huh?”
“You can say that again. So we’re investing and getting a loan, hopefully. I guess Beau’s the one taking care of that.”
“You sound… angry, almost,” I said carefully, not wanting to upset him.
“I guess. I just feel helpless, you know? I’m not the oldest. I’m not the second oldest. I don’t really have much of a say in what happens.”
“But don’t you all have an equal say?”
“I mean, yeah, there are seven brothers, and we all have a vote, along with my mom and my dad, of course, but really it’s up to Beau and Austin. They’re the ones in charge. They make most of the decisions.”
“But Wyatt, he’s buying those horses, right?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“I mean, that’s good, don’t you think?”
“Wyatt’s a good kid, and I think he can make a real success of horse breeding or whatever it is he’s doing.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just frustrated.”
“Why?” I walked up and touched him lightly on the shoulder. “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s got you so upset? It can’t just be because Beau and Austin are the oldest.”
“I guess I just feel like I don’t have any real input. I’m not doing anything. I’m just following orders. And I’m not a follower. I’m a leader. I was born to lead and, well, I’m not getting to do it here.”
“Do you want to leave Horseshoe Ranch?” Suddenly, it hit me. “Are you not happy here?”
He stared at me for a few seconds, the light in his eyes dimming. “Sounds sacrilegious when you say it.”
“You don’t want to be here.”
He let out a long sigh. “I had an opportunity to buy a smaller ranch, something that I could run and maintain, but, I mean, I can’t do that, obviously.”
“Why? Money?”
“No, I have money. We all have a trust fund, but I just wouldn’t feel right leaving the family to do this, you know?”
“But is it your dream?”
“My dream is for Horseshoe Ranch to be around for many generations. I want my kids to see where I grew up, where their grandparents grew up, and where their great-great-grandparents grew up. I want my grandkids to sit on my knee at that rocking chair in the living room, you know?”
“I get it. It’s a family legacy.”
“Exactly. And if I have to stay here and just follow orders, then that’s what I’ll do.” He looked around. “I guess I should fix the roof.”
“You’re a good guy, Chet.”
“Really? Do you really think I’m a good guy, Arya, or are you just saying that to try and make me feel better about my situation?”
“Maybe both.” I laughed. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, you can just sit pretty and—” he paused. “Sorry, is that not PC?”
“You can call me pretty if you want,” I said.
“Can I call you beautiful?”
