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“At this rate, we’ll finish up ahead of schedule.” Aiden ripped open another box of floor planks and stacked them next to the completed section.
Franco pushed to a standing position. “This sure beats sitting at a computer all day like my dad does selling insurance.”
Thatch had to laugh. After growing up on a farm, he’d never had any interest in that kind of job either. “You go into construction, you’ll never be bored at work.” He knew that for a fact.
“So you’re a senior, right?” Aiden hauled over anotherstack of planks he’d already cut. “You have any idea what you want to do after high school?”
“I’ve been thinking about the navy.” The kid snapped in the floorboard and tapped it into place with a rubber mallet. “Like you guys. Maybe I could even be a SEAL someday.”
Thatch exchanged a look with Aiden. “It’s not an easy life.” Yet he wouldn’t trade it for anything. His service had made him a better person. “But being in the military is very rewarding.”
“I want to do something that matters.” Franco continued to work, paying attention to the details as he went. “I don’t want to get stuck in this town forever.” He paused and glanced up at Thatch. “Then, after I serve for a few years, maybe I could even be a bronc rider like you when I’m done.”
Uh-oh.
“Bronc rider?” Aiden dropped the box he was holding. “What the hell is he talking about? You’re not a bronc rider.”
Franco lurched to his feet. “Was I not supposed to say anything? Sorry, dude. I didn’t know your riding was some big secret.”
“Not a secret so much,” Thatch corrected. “More like a surprise.” Even though Aiden had never liked surprises.
“You’re not seriously riding broncs.” Aiden didn’t wait for him to answer. “Because that would be stupid. I’ve known some bronc riders. They can get pretty messed up.”
Thatch grinned at his friend. There wasn’t much Aiden didn’t know. He had strong opinions about nearly everything. “I started up last year. Trained at a place outside of Jackson and then started working on Kirby Leatherman’s house so he’d take me on as a student.”
“Why?” Aiden abandoned the boxes he’d been unpacking. “Getting shot wasn’t enough for you? You want to get yourself killed in an arena?”
Franco kept his head down and got back to work. Thatch didn’t blame him for not wanting to be a part of this conversation.
“I want to challenge myself.” He said the words in a pointed tone. Aiden was the same way. That was why his friend had been working on bringing Kyra’s ranch back—for the challenge. “I want to do something new instead of staying in the same place.” They’d both done that their entire lives. It was what he knew—moving on to the next step. Learning something. Growing.
“He’s awesome at it too.” Franco stood up again. “I’ve seen him ride. He’ll probably win at the Rodeo Days coming up.”
“You’re competing?”
He could read the healthy skepticism in his friend’s stare. That was fine. Let him doubt. Thatch would prove something to everyone. “It’ll be my first pro-rodeo competition.”
“He’s got a real shot at winning,” Franco added. “Even Kirby said so.”
“That’s not exactly what Kirby said.” But he appreciated the kid’s vote of confidence. Franco was his first fan.
An alarm went off from the kid’s phone in his pocket. “Uh-oh. I’ve gotta jet. I’ve got a marathon basketball practice tonight.”
Now was as good a time as any to be done working for the day anyway. They’d gotten far more done than he’d anticipated. Thatch sent the kid off with a handshake. “Thanks for your help today. You’re doing good work.”
“It’s actually been fun. I like it way better than whenI flipped burgers at the café.” He unbuckled his tool belt and left it on the table. “Minnie always kisses me on the cheek and leaves a lipstick mark.”
Aiden laughed. “She does that to all of us.”
“I’ll see ya next week.” Franco took off and left Thatch and Aiden staring each other down. It was something they’d done many times.
“Bronc riding, huh?” His friend crossed his arms. “I’m guessing the rib injury didn’t really happen on a hike, then.”
“Nope.” He shook his head in mock disbelief. “Come on. You know me better than that. Falling on a hike? I’m surprised you didn’t get suspicious then.”
“I should’ve known.” Aiden unplugged the table saw. “Why haven’t you said anything? We don’t keep stuff like this from each other.”
“I guess I wanted to wait and see if I was any good at it.” When he’d first signed up for the lessons, he’d thought it would be for fun. Something to do for entertainment. He hadn’t expected to get hooked. “Silas found out not long after I started, but I asked him not to say anything. You two have been so busy with your wives anyway. I figured I’d tell you right before the Rodeo Days.” Or he would’ve just let everyone find out when they announced his name at the arena.
