AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walk over to a bucket and drop the brush in, letting it clang nice and loud. I slap my hands against my pant legs to get the dust off them and shake them out. Then, I pour oats into Mab’sfeed bin outside her stall before walking her in and sliding the gate closed behind her. Once I get her settled, I turn to Case, still working to organize my response. In all honesty, I know he means well. He’s wrong. On multiple levels. But I’m not so far gone in my own problems I can’t see his pep talk for what it is: a compliment. However, one can’t live off compliments and good feelings.
I release a slow breath. “First of all, Mab’s not my horse. She’s Camilla’s. I don’t own a horse of my own. So trail rides and exercising the boarders is all the riding time I get. I’m happy to do it. Some of the boarders are visited by their owners once every couple ofmonths.” I jab my thumb at my chest. “I’m the one who gets to be with them day in and day out, and I feel very lucky.
“Secondly, as I’m sure you know, entering rodeos costs entry fees, and a trailer to transport the horse. And a truck to transport the trailer to transport the horse. I can’t even afford a saddle to put on my hypothetical horse.
“So while traveling the country winning belt buckles sounds really dreamy”—there’s an ache in my chest at the truth of this—“it’s not in the cards for me. It might be for Queen Mab, though. Andthatis why I work her so hard.” I inhale through my nose, swallowing against the encroaching tightness in my throat. “Someday, a barrel racer is gonna show up here and fall in love with her, and I want her to be ready for her chance.”
Case’s eyes are stormy. He runs a frustrated hand through his hair, making it stand on end, which, just so we’re clear, isnotattractivein the slightest. “Butyouare a barrel racer, Winnie. That’s what I am trying to say. You’re better than anyone I’ve seen, and I’ve seen plenty.”
I bite back a frustrated scream and shake my head, my patience running thin. Compliment or no, this needs to be nipped in the bud. “I’m not being stubborn or obtuse here, Michaels. I know my worth, and just because you call someone something doesn’t make it so.”
“I’m not sure you’re hearing me—”
That’s it. I’m gonna punch him. And then I’ll punch my little brother and then come back and punch Case one more time for good measure. What is with all these boys trying to mansplain my own life to me?
“I understand perfectly. I think you’re the one getting too high off the fumes of your SUV and keto lunches.I’m perfectly aware of how fast Mab and I are.We’re a great team here at the ranch, but this is where that ends, because rodeo isn’t in my future. Not everyone can chase their dreams in the daytime.” I swallow hard again, my indignation turning to dust and clogging my throat. “Some of us only live them out in our sleep.” Just then, the alarm buzzes from my cell phone at my hip, and I sigh. Time to pick up Garrett. “I’ve got to go.”
Case looks like he wants to argue, but wisely steps back.
His expression seems confused, and I wonder if it’s because no one has turned him down before. Maybe he’s used to everyone always being grateful for the attention. He seemssoout of sorts I almost feel bad for all the truth-giving I’ve dumped on his expensive boots. I try to soften my demeanor a little as I pull my jacket off the hook by the door and slide it over my shoulders. “Listen, Michaels. I appreciate the nice things you said and even your enthusiasm. Misguided as you might be, it’s nice to hear someone thinks I can be more than I am.”
“I’m not wrong,” he insists in a low voice.
“And I’m not either. Let’s call it a draw. And if you see my little brother out this weekend, kick his ass for me, okay? I’m tired of pretending not to notice when he sneaks out.”
Garrett is in full-blown tears when I pull up to her school a few minutes later.
“What happened?” I ask, immediately double-checking I’m not late on the car dashboard clock.
She hiccups. “Just drive, please.”
I stare at her before glancing at the small group of kids standing in the pickup line, talking in a huddle and casting loaded glances at my little sister. Silently, I pull away from the curb and drive us out of the school parking lot. My sister sniffles but says nothing. Eventually, I pull off the road a few miles from home and park in a Dollar General lot.
“Out with it. What happened?”
Garrett shakes her head quickly, and I can tell she’s holding her breath to keep the tears in. She finally releases a shaky exhale. “It’s so stupid, I don’t even want to talk about it.”
“I had one of those days, too. How about you tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine?”
She takes a minute to consider, but I’m patient. I know her curiosity will win out. It always does.
“Can I use a cuss?”
I press my lips together, working to keep my face serious. We have a deal in our house. Until age thirteen, only one cuss per year. It’s reupped on your birthday.
“If you’re sure it’s worth it. You have four months to go.”
“Oh, it’s worth it,” she mutters. “Callie fucking Foster told everyone I got my new shoes from a trash bin outside the Goodwill.”
I suck in sharply. “Fuck,” I echo.
Garrett nods. “I tried to tell everyone I got them brand-new, but Callie is like the president, and everyone listens to her about everything. So all day, everyone was making faces when they walked near me, pretending I stink like a dumpster.”
Ugh. When will kids get a new line? I remember them doing the exact same thing to me when I was her age.
I lean forward and sniff. “Nope. Only the same old sweet-smelling Garrett.”
She leans over and does the same to me with a wrinkled nose.
