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“Daniel, my boy, how are you?”
“Hey, Mr. Conrad. Didn’t know you were here.”
“It wasn’t on the books until Shiloh here decided to throw a shoe.”
“Gotcha. Are you headed to the ranch when you leave here?”
“Sure am. Abe said there was a new rescue with overgrown hooves.”
“Yes, sir, Abe cut them back some, but he wants you to have a look at them. I doubt the poor thing has ever had a good trim.”
“I’ll get him all fixed up, no worries.”
“Thanks. Do you know where Mr. McCall is?”
“Right here, Daniel.”
I turned to see the man in question coming from the tack room, a saddle over his arm. “Morning, sir. Pops sent me over for the paperwork on the cattle exchange.”
“Morning. It’s up at the house on my desk.” He dropped the saddle on the railing to a stall and wiped his hands on his jeans before pulling out his phone. “Hey, sweetheart, I’m sending Daniel back up to the house. There is a brown envelope on my desk; could you grab it for him?” His smile grew as he listened to her response. “Sure, sure. I will. Absolutely, I’m sure he will, it's never too early or late for pound cake. Very well. Love you. I’ll be headed out in a few minutes. Yes, dear.” He chuckled and hung up, sliding his phone into his pocket.
“Randy, your boy here is all done. He shouldn’t lose this one.”
“Thank you, Ernie. Much appreciated. Ginny says to step up to the house; she’s made you a little thank you basket.”
“Aww shucks. That’s not necessary, but she really does make the best pound cake I’ve ever had.”
“I agree, but don’t tell Ma I said that.” I smiled.
“Never. Abigail makes the best pies in the state.” We all nodded at that. It was true.
“This is why we gain ten pounds walking into the church potlucks every month. It’s all desserts that no one in their right mind passes up,” Mr. McCall said.
Mr. Conrad chortled. “Amen to that.”
“Okay, you’re all making me hungry.” Mr. McCall picked up his saddle again. “Go on up to the house, Daniel, Ginny will get the papers for you.”
“Before I go, can I talk to you?”
“Sure, grab a blanket. You can help me saddle up Gus; the boys and I are going to check the fences after last night's winds.”
I did as instructed and followed him to the back stall. Gus was a big red giant of a horse. He was a gentle giant though. He stood tall at sixteen hands, loved to run, and had an ‘I can’t be bothered’ disposition about anything but work and treats. Seems every ranch has at least one of them.
“What’s on your mind, son?”
“Well, I know we already talked about me courting Keisha.”
“Courting, boy, I’m not that old, just call it dating.”
“But it’s more than that. I want to do this right; she deserves it.”
“That she does. If I thought you meant my daughter harm or ill will, you’d not be allowed to even look at her.”
“Yes, sir, I got you. I want, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to give her a ring.” I held up a hand at the sudden jerk of his head. “Not an engagement ring, nothing like that. Not yet.”
“Then what kind of a ring?”
“A promise ring.” I smiled. “I’d like to give it to her on Christmas Eve, at the party. I want to be more present and not rush things. Last thing I want to do is rush or—”
