Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
It’s unnerving when one of the horses doesn’t seem right, especially a boarder like Buddy. Horses have always been sensitive creatures, but Buddy’s behavior today feels off. Normally, he’s a bundle of energy, practically bouncing to get out of his stall. But today, he seems disinterested, too calm. I hate that sinking feeling in my gut—when a horse gets sick, particularly one that's boarded here, I’m responsible. Making that phone call to the owner is never easy, and it always feels like a personal failure.
Joey nods, his eyes narrowing as he studies Buddy. “I’ll give him a call. It can’t hurt to have him checked. Any of the other horses acting weird?”
“No, just Buddy,” I reply, softly stroking the horse’s face, trying to reassure him. “You’re a good boy, Buddy. We’re gonna figure this out.”
Joey heads out to call Dr. Mike, our trusted vet, while I remain by Buddy’s side, trying to pinpoint what might be wrong. Moments later, Brian, one of my other ranch hands, walks in, wiping grease off his hands from working on the equipment.
“Hey, Violet, I changed the oil in the tractor. I’m heading out to the fields now unless you need something first,” he says, always reliable and ready to lend a hand.
I glance at him and smile, grateful for the dependable team I’ve been blessed with. There’s no way I could keep this place running smoothly on my own. Each of my ranch hands was hired by my father, and they all carry a deep respect for the ranch, treating it like their own.
“Thanks, Brian. You should definitely head to the fields, but could you send Cory in? Buddy’s not doing great, and I’ll need someone to help pick up the slack while we figure this out.”
Brian’s eyes sweep over Buddy before he gives a small nod. “He all right?”
“I hope so. Joey’s calling Dr. Mike now.”
Brian pats Buddy’s head, offering the horse a reassuring grin. “He’s tough. He’ll be just fine. I’ll send Cory over to help out.”
As he walks off, I let out a small sigh, my mind spinning not only with concern for Buddy but with other thoughts that have been bubbling under the surface. None of the ranch hands have mentioned Callum moving in, not a word or a curious glance. It’s almost as if they’re deliberately avoiding the subject. I don’t know if they’re trying to respect my privacy or if Joey’s already filled them in on what’s happening. Either way, I can’t ignore it forever.
I should explain everything to them. They deserve to know why Callum’s here and what’s going on. They’re as much a part of this ranch as I am, and keeping them in the dark doesn’t sit right with me.
But right now, all I can focus on is Buddy. I run my hand down his mane again, whispering softly to him. “Hang in there, big guy. We’re gonna figure this out.”
“Dr. Mike will be here in half an hour,” Joey says, his voice calm and steady as always.
Half an hour. That’s not too bad. I can manage that, but I’m not leaving Buddy's side until then. I nod, leaning against the wooden stall, still watching Buddy with concern. “Thanks, Joey.”
I hesitate for a moment, my thoughts swirling. Finally, I glance back up at him. “Have you talked to Brian and Cory? Told them about my situation with Callum?”
Joey removes his hat and wipes his brow before placing it back on his head, the familiar movement somehow comforting. “All I told them was that what happens in your house is your business.”
I sigh, nudging the clean hay with the toe of my boot, feeling the weight of the unspoken truth hanging between us. “I should tell them. It’s not right to keep them in the dark. They’ve been with me through everything, they deserve to know.”
“Hey, that’s up to you, Violet,” he says gently, his voice full of understanding. “You don’t owe anyone an explanation about your personal life. If you want to keep things private, that’s your right.”
I giggle softly as I look at him, noticing the deepening wrinkles around his eyes—marks of time and hard work. “You guys talk about your wives all the time. Like it’s nothing.”
Joey chuckles, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he shrugs. “That’s just a bunch of guys talking. You’ve heard of locker room talk, right? It’s the same out here on the ranch. Doesn’t mean much.”
A laugh escapes me, shaking my head at his candor. “You’re terrible, Joey.”
He grins wider, tipping his hat in mock acknowledgment. “Guilty as charged. But seriously, you do what you feel is right. If I might ask though... how’s everything going with you and Callum?”
His question hits harder than expected. I turn my attention back to Buddy, running my hands down the horse’s warm sides, trying to collect my thoughts. How do I answer that? It’s not easy to explain something that’s supposed to be a straightforward arrangement but has somehow twisted into something more complicated. Callum and I are married and live under the same roof, but the distance between us is undeniable, and yet, there are moments. Moments where everything feels real, where the connection between us feels deeper than either of us signed up for. Ever since he held me at his parents' house, I haven’t been able to shake the memory of how right it felt. How alive I felt in his arms.