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I nod, because this way it takes my mom’s attention off me. “That would be a big help.”
“Okay, so, Riggs runs the ranch. He is the top dog now; he has eight cowboys underneath him and in the bunkhouse. All new faces from when you last visited. Young blood with a couple of older guys to keep them rowdy asses in line,” Austin scoffs.
“Bet Jorge is happy that Riggs stayed home,” I mutter quietly and I feel my heart constrict. I always knew Jorge wanted his boys home, here in Lovelock Bay and to continue their legacy.
“Yeah, he is.” Austin’s tone is clipped and I notice how he sits a little taller, but I don’t push for any more out of him even though I want to know everything there is to know about Riggs Rivera.
“Obviously as you heard, Marty is now commissioner, we’re pleased for him. He is so much more than a cowboy. Tripp is now Sheriff, Chip went out with a bang though.”
“Oh really?” my brows raise, I remember Chip. He was the livestock commissioner when I lived back here, he had always been the Sheriff and I am surprised it didn’t go down to one of his three sons.
“Yeah, bullet straight through the chest.” I don’t miss the glint of a smile that crosses Austin’s lips.
“Oh, you meant literally out with a bang,” I choke on my intake of breath and reach for my wine, swallowing a large mouthful down and it instantly warms my throat. It’s earthy and has hints of dark cherries and liquorice. It’s delicious. Licking my lips I take another mouthful and get ready for the next lot of information that Austin is about to drop on me.
“Yeah, the sheriff got a tip off that it was something to do with the Rivera’s because Jorge is one of the biggest livestock movers on this side of the state, but they couldn’t find anything. Jorge is a lot of things, but a murderer or fraudster is definitely not something you could pin on that grumpy fucker.”
I snort a silent laugh as I take another mouthful of my wine. It was the truth. Jorge was a lot of things, maybe a little twisted in the name of the law and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t have a few people buried deep in his pocket, but he wouldn’t harm anyone intentionally.
“And here, all is well?” I ask as I place my wine on the table, my fingers tapping the base of the wine glass in a steady rhythm.
“As well as it can be, we’re still selling and raising beautiful, strong horses. We’re all ready for spring, you’ll have to come down to the stables tomorrow. Meet some of our girls. We only have two stallions now, one Mustang and an American Quarter Horse. We have a couple down at Bob’s in the next town along, Norwood Bay. He has a couple of Arabians, some Morgan horses and an American Paint Horse. So, we have a nice variety.” Austin beams. “I hope you can witness it; I really do hope you’re here for good, Penny.” His hand reaches for mine as he gives it a squeeze and I have to swallow the lump down in my throat at his small show of affection.
I just about manage a hum in agreement as my tears build behind my eyes.
“I’ve started going to a couple of the shows to see some of our bred horses compete. There’s something enchanting about watching the horse you reared, broke in and sold on. You’ll have to come with me next time, I’m trying to rope Riggs and the boys in, give us a little weekend away.”
He elbows me.
“You sure you want me to gate crash yourboys’weekend?”
“Ah come on Penny, don’t be like that,” he nudges me a little harder now and I smile like crazy. In that moment it makes me realise just how much I have missed our simple family dinners.
“The next one is March, so, hopefully if you’re still here you can ride up with us. It’s in North Dakota, you up for it?”
“Let’s see, yeah?” I say softly not wanting to get his hopes up because honestly, I have no idea where I’ll be in March.
Silence fills the room for just a moment as I pop a carrot into my mouth and bite down.
“We’re heading down to the Old Dusty Boot tomorrow night; me, the Rivera boys, Harlow and Marty.”
Harlow.
“Sounds good,” I lie. Nerves cascade through me, my skin prickling with anxiousness, but I mask it well.
“Great,” Austin chimes and we fall into light conversation whilst we finish our dinner, I felt stuffed but then mom served up her apple and cinnamon pie and my god, it was delicious.
* * *
Wrapped up in a scarf,large, padded coat and fluffy socks, I sat on the decked porch and looked into the night sky. The sky was so clear here. We didn’t get nights like this in LA. It was too bright. There was something so calming and almost healing looking up at a clear night sky; at small, burned out stars thousands of lightyears away, still burning bright in our atmosphere. Sipping my fourth glass of wine, my head was beginning to get a little hazy, but it was warming me from the inside out. My cheeks were no doubt flushed and the sadness that was suffocating me was also slowly seeping away.
It was just me and the night.
The stars twinkling above me.
Crickets dancing.
The odd fireflies lighting up and my eyes fixate on them.
