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He nodded to me once as I rode past him, William behind me on his horse.
“You remember what to do, Filly?” William said and I rolled my eyes at his new nickname for me. It was better than Little Ant, so I wasn’t going to say anything.
“I remember,” I said as Callie pulled the reins, jarring me in my seat.
A few of the men laughed as they watched me, earning them a glare from William.
“Jack, Barry you take the front. Wyatt, you and Simmo take the rear. John and Ben, take the right flank, and Anya and I will take the left.” William said as everyone headed out.
The cattle dog Digger ran alongside us as we approached the herd, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I let myself fall into the familiarity of a muster.
As we slowly moved through the paddocks, Jack and Barry alternating as they opened each gate and one Wyatt or Simmo closing it behind us, I inhaled the scent of dust, cattle, horse, and sweat.
It was home. I almost hated William for bringing me out here and I had a sneaking suspicion that he was doing it deliberately to remind me what this place meant.
I scanned the cattle when I noticed a steer break away from the main herd. I nudged Callie, loosened my grin on the reins, and leaned forward as she moved into a canter.
“Heya!” I yelled as we came around the outside of the steer, directing it back.
“Go on, git!” I shouted over the sound of his bellows, grinning as he found his way back to the main herd.
“Guess you haven’t forgotten everything,” William said with a grin as we finally made it to paddock nine at the top of the property.
I held back as we watched the cattle spread out, William beside me as we waited for Jack to close the gate on the last stragglers.
“It’s hard work but there’s nothing quite like it.” He said softly as he looked over the Mountain ridge in the distance.
I didn’t say anything as I looked in the same direction. Could I do it? Could I sell this place knowing that others may not have a place to live and work anymore?
Callie suddenly whinnied, veering abruptly away from William’s horse.
“Ah, shit. Arrow. That isn’t polite.” He said as I clung to the saddle, nearly falling off.
“He has a tendency to bite and apparently he has a thing for Janie here.” He said as Wyatt came over on Outlaw.
“I thought her name was Callie?” Wyatt said in confusion and William grinned.
“That’s what Anya calls her because she doesn’t like to admit what her real name is.” He teased, turning Arrow around as we headed back.
“What’s her real name?” Wyatt asked and I grimaced.
“Calamity Jane.” I huffed, earning some chuckles.
“Why would you call a horse that?” he said with a smile, and I glared at William for bringing it up.
“Because when Anya went to pick her up, the trailer detached from the truck causing some chaos on the road. Then when it was finally hitched again and we were loading Callie up, she got loose and ran amuck through the town.” William said as the others laughed.
By the time we made it back to the house, I was well and truly exhausted, my muscles aching and ass sore as hell from sitting in the saddle for so long.
Damien came flying outside, rage in his eyes and Callie backed away, shifting from foot to foot.
“Where the fuck have you been?” He shouted, waving his arms in the air and Callie threw her head back as I tried to control her.
“The lawyer has been calling nonstop and won’t talk to me. Fuck, Anya. You decided to take a fucking ride instead of doing business?” He continued and Callie reared once, then twice and I lost my seat, sliding from her back and hitting the ground with a solid thump.
“ANYA!” William shouted as I tried to gasp for breath, the wind knocked out of me.
Callie ran off and I saw Wyatt chase her as William’s face peered down at mine with concern.
