Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“But Bandit is your horse, and you’ve had a lot of shit happening recently,” Cole murmured, but JB didn’t reply. The man in front of him was exhausted with worry, and it was all coming to a head with his horse taking ill.
With the decision made in his head, Cole pushed to his feet and picked up both of their coffees. He carried them back to the kitchen with JB calling behind him.
“Hey! You just teasing me with coffee because I didn’t eat enough of your cookin’?”
“Nope, I’ve got a different idea.” He opened and closed cabinets until he located the large thermos he’d spotted a few days earlier. After quickly rinsing it out, he poured both their coffees inside along with a little extra from the pot before screwing on the lid again.
As he stepped out of the kitchen, he found JB standing beside his chair. He held up the thermos and smiled. “Let’s go keep Bandit company for a while.”
“You sure?” JB flashed his first hint of a real smile, and Cole did not want to think about the almost giddy rush of excitement that ran through his veins. That smile, knowing he’d put it there, was getting addictive.
“Of course. Come on.”
Together they crossed the yard toward the horse barn. Crickets chirped in the growing darkness, and there were some noises from the cattle enclosure that were starting to grow familiar to Cole’s ears. A couple of ranch hands nodded or waved as they either headed to their vehicles to leave for the day or to the bunkhouse for food and sleep. Warm lights blazed in the windows of the main house, offering up a welcoming feeling.
There was an overwhelming sense of peace on the ranch as night fell. In all the chaos, there was a feeling of order and predictability. Even when unexpected things happened, like Bandit’s illness, people acted with a practiced ease.
But Cole had no doubt that all this comfort he felt here was thanks to the man walking beside him. JB had made him feel welcome and wanted since they first met at the airport. Cole was the interloper, the intruder, but JB smiled and took it all in stride. He answered every one of Cole’s questions with unaffected good humor and patience.
JB led the way down past the stalls to the last one that appeared to be a little bigger than the others. Danny was just stepping into the aisle and closing the door. A light was on, illuminating a beautiful horse with a long white patch on his nose.
“Hey, Boss!” Danny called out, lifting one hand in greeting. “I brought Bandit in from another walk. He’s grumpy but moving okay.”
“Thanks, Danny. You can take a break. Cole and I are going to sit with him for a while. I’ll text you when we’re going to head out,” JB instructed.
“Really? Thanks! I’m gonna grab a bite to eat and catch up on The Masked Singer before Owen spoils it for me.” The young man strolled through the stable, whistling to himself as he disappeared into the night.
JB walked over and Bandit immediately met him, eagerly accepting head rubs like an overgrown dog. He nuzzled JB’s pockets, earning a weary laugh.
“No, not tonight. This is what you get for eating things you shouldn’t. No treats until you pass this fucking mess,” JB said with a wealth of love in his voice.
Bandit gave a huff and pulled his head into the stall, turning away from JB until the man laughed softly. “He’s pouting.”
Cole came to stand next to JB, his eyes sweeping over the creature. “Looks that way. How’s he doing?”
“As I expected. The doc didn’t give him strong pain meds, so he’s only a little out of it. He’s not happy from being uncomfortable and not getting his evening treats from me.”
JB motioned over to a spot near an empty stall where a couple of bales of straw had been stacked. JB dropped down on the straw with a heavy sigh and Cole sat beside him. He placed the thermos on the floor of the barn and stretched out his legs in front of him while resting his shoulders against the rough wooden wall.
“How long have you had Bandit?”
A slow sigh slipped from JB as he stretched out like Cole, his eyes locked on the horse across from them. “Two, almost three years.” He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “So stupid. When you grow up on a ranch, you have to get used to the idea of animals dying. Cattle are sent off to slaughter. Horses come and go. I’ve had at least a dozen dogs. It’s life. You love them while you can, and then let them go. I don’t get why this stupid horse has me so bound up.”
“Because this happened while people are shooting at you, and someone is trying to buy your ranch, and your crazy neighbors are acting even crazier than normal.” He reached down and plucked a piece of straw out of the bale and held it up in front of JB’s face. “This is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”