Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Brady scowls. “How does a second grader flunk math?”
“I asked him that. He told me he hates it, so he doesn’t care about it.”
“I mean, I hate math,” Brady says with a grim nod.
“Don’t tell him that. Anyway, between the kids, losing that filly yesterday, and having a mountain lion on the property killing my beef that I can’t seem to catch, it’s been a shit week.”
“Fair enough,” Brady says.
“When do you start rodeo stuff? I’ll need to hire another hand before you go.”
Brady shrugs. “In about a month or so. Shows start in May. I can still work here; I’ll just be in and out through the summer, as usual.”
“Yeah, but I want to make sure I have the coverage here so you don’t feel like you have to hurry home. I know what your first love is, and it’s not the ranch.”
“I do love that rodeo ring,” he says with a grin. “She can be a bitch of a mistress, but I can’t get enough of her. You never have issues finding hands. Especially with that new bunkhouse. It’s fucking nice.”
“The old one was falling apart. I want our guys to like living here. Besides, we’re making a shit ton of money now. The ranch should reflect that.”
Brady nods and then changes the subject. “Speaking of a shit ton of money, I spoke to Ryan this morning.”
I concentrate on pulling my gloves back on. “Yeah? I think he flies in tomorrow morning.”
“He does. Mom wants to do dinner on Friday night at your place, since it’s the biggest. That okay with you?”
“Sure. She cooks dinner almost every day at my house anyway.”
“Are you ever going to stop being pissed at Ryan?”
“I’m not pissed.” I grab my tools and walk down the fence, not at all interested in discussing our brother. “Let’s get back to work.”
“Right. You’re not pissed, and I’m a vampire.”
“Is that so? Maybe you’re the one killing my beef.”
“Ha. Ha. You’re a regular comedian.”
“Hey, Mom, is everything okay at the house?”
“Of course, it is. I’m just out in the garden, getting things ready for some flowers to brighten it up this summer. The kids are inside. They helped me for a while, but then they wanted to go in and play some video games, and I didn’t see the harm in it.”
“I’m glad it’s been uneventful. I’ll be home in about thirty. We’re just finishing up a few things.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you when you get here, honey.”
I hang up and have a quick meeting with my guys, setting up a game plan through the weekend. The week has gone by fast.
Hell, every week goes by fast these days.
“My niece’s birthday is Sunday,” Bruiser says. He’s a big guy, about six-foot-seven and all muscle. And he’s all gooey when it comes to his niece.
“Then I guess you’d better take Sunday off,” I reply with a nod.
“Thanks, boss.”
“There’s something on this property killing my beef. Keep an eye out. We have wildlife cameras set up, but so far, we haven’t caught anything.”
“We saw bear tracks,” Lucky says, looking up from his notebook.
“I know, but this feels more like a mountain lion to me,” I reply and turn to Brady. “What do you think?”
“Could be a wolf, or a pair of wolves,” Brady says. “Hell, it could be any of the above.”
“We’ll keep an eye out,” Lucky says, making notes in his ratty old notebook. He’s had the same small spiral notebook tucked into the pocket of his work shirt since I was a kid.
At least, it’s always looked like the same notebook.
After a few more minutes of catching up, I break the meeting and head for the house.
My kids have been on break all week, and I’ve hardly seen them. Tomorrow’s Friday, and I didn’t spend any time with them at all.
I’m a fucking jerk.
Tomorrow, I have to take Holly to the eye doctor for a checkup, and I figured I’d take Johnny with us and spring for lunch when we’re done.
They’ll like that.
“Hey, Mom,” I call out when I see her gathering some weeds and tossing them into a trash bin.
“Hi, honey. How did it go today?”
“It was fine. Want to come in for some iced tea?”
“Actually, I’m meeting your father in town for dinner in just a little while. I’d better get on home and change out of these dirty clothes. I have some lasagna in the oven for the three of you. Have a good evening.”
“Thanks. You can leave that. I’ll clean it up. Maybe later, I’ll light a little fire outside and roast marshmallows with the kids.”
“Oh, they’ll love that. Have fun. And I’ll take you up on cleaning this up for me.”
She pulls her gloves off, then reaches up and cups my face.
“My boy. You always were the quiet, serious one. Don’t forget to have a little fun.”