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Finn looked around. “Where are the cows?”
J.T. took his hand. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
The three of them walked across the grass to the far edge of the hill. Down below was a meadow with a hundred head of cattle grazing on the sweet grass.
Finn stopped walking when he saw them. “Whoa.”
Joey laughed. “Indeed. That’s a lot of cows.”
“There are a lot more. Probably in the trees across the valley. Or over by the spring. There’s another small pond where it comes up from underground. Not a pond really, I guess. More of a giant mud puddle.”
The wind swirled for a minute, bringing the smell of cows and manure up to them. Joey laughed. “Yeah. Those are cows alright.”
“That is the smell of a successful ranch.”
“I suppose it is.”
They headed back toward the oak trees. “Are you guys ready for some lunch? Granddad packed it, so I’m not sure what it is.” Finn ran ahead and J.T. called after him. “Don’t get too close to the horses.”
“I won’t.” He headed for a tree with low branches on it, perfect for climbing. “Mom, can I climb the tree?”
“Yes. Just don’t go too high.” She looked at J.T. “He loves climbing trees.”
“Show me a boy who doesn’t.”
“Have you climbed any trees since…”
“Don’t remind me. I’ve fallen off horses, maybe fifty times. Never got hurt. I fall out of one tree and break my arm.”
“You were very brave.”
“I had to be. I wasn’t about to cry in front of my girlfriend.”
Joey laughed. “I wouldn’t have judged you.”
“Fortunately, it was between football and baseball season.”
“I loved watching you play. Baseball more than football. I was always afraid you were going to get hurt on the football field.”
“Well, I didn’t play very much. Sawyer was the big football guy.”
“Mmm. Yeah.” She grinned at J.T. “I’m kidding. I only had eyes for you. He was just your little brother.”
“He still is.”
“Not so little anymore, though.”
“Yeah. I think we’ve established that.” He took the lunch tote from the back of Pablo’s saddle and they sat in the grass.
“You have to admit, he’s pretty impressive.”
“He is that.” He took out three sandwiches and handed two of them to Joey. “A little intimidating, actually. But he works hard. And I’m proud of him.”
“How do you feel about the boxing?” Finn ran over and sat next to Joey as she handed him his sandwich.
J.T. thought about the question. “I don’t get it, really. But he’s good at it. And he loves it. I guess the worst part is it takes him away from home.”
“Do you miss him when he’s gone?”
