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“If you’re going to be here while I’m working, you get to help. Simple as that.”
She rolled her eyes and took the shovel. “Fine, but I’m not going to be happy about it.”
He didn’t even seem to try to hide his smile, and that fact alone brought a grin to her own face.
Katrina moved into the stall beside him. “So, what’s your plan? Are you going to keep this place operating like Mr. Granger had it going?”
“I don’t even know what that means,” Simon shot a look over the side of the stall before he lunged forward and scooped up the old hay from the previous residents.
“What I mean is that Mr. Granger clearly used this as a dairy farm. He had a whole herd of cows and some goats and chickens. But mostly cows.”
“Yeah, I’m aware.”
Katrina placed a hand on her hip. “Or you could use the land to grow crops that the other ranchers need. Or?—”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” Simon murmured. “I guess I never really thought about it.”
She lifted a brow. “Really? You’ve known about this for the last month, and you haven’t decided how you want to run it?”
“What do you expect?” He smirked at her. “I’m not the planner you are. I’m just trying to keep my head above water. There’s a lot to do. I didn’t realize how much I’d need to get done before I can bring Maisy and Jewel from where they’re being boarded.”
Katrina paused. “I didn’t realize you still had your grandpa’s horses.”
A soft smile touched his lips even as he continued working. “Of course I do. They were too young to do anything with when we were teens, but I’ve been working with them a lot lately and I can’t wait for them to come here. I bet they’ll love the pastures—all that space to run around.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
They continued working in silence for a few minutes before she stopped again. “How is everything going now that the estate is settled?”
This time, Simon slowed his work as he glanced at her sideways. “I really am in over my head.”
“Well, what did Daniel say? You called him, right?” Based on the chagrined look on his face, she had her answer. “Simon! I told you to talk to him. He’s gonna be your best shot at getting this place where you want it to be.”
“I know. But it’s like you said. If I don’t know what I’m going to do with this place, then what good will his help be? I need a plan, right?”
Her hands on her hips, she stood there probably looking more like an unhappy parent than his friend. Slowly, she dropped her arms. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. So let’s figure that out.”
“You don’t have to help with that.”
“Sure I do. When I needed someone to help me get out of my funk, you were there. Tell me what your passions are.”
He shot her a funny look then laughed. “I don’t think?—”
“Don’tthink. Just blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind. What kind of place do you want to run? Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“Training horses,” he blurted. His eyes widened and his brows shot up.
Her expression mirrored his. “Really?”
He put the shovel down and leaned it against the wall. “Yeah. I guess so.”
“Where did that come from?”
Simon shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t even have that much experience with horses besides Maisy and Jewel. I don’t know if I’d be any good at it.”
She worried her lower lip.
“What?” he demanded. “I know that look. You’re not sure about something.”
