Heart & Hope (Rosewood Ranch #2)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

REED

R uby Robbins. Hell’s hounds on heat, that’s a pretty fuckin’ name.

Fuck, she’s like nothin’ else.

Gives a completely new meaning to the phrase R I hope that’s okay?”

Ruby sits in the spot by Ma’s and dumps her tote on the floor. “Of course! This is an amazing start. You’re very organized.” She smiles at Ma as she sits and waves me off. I stand, my frozen gaze swinging between them, before I clear my throat, wipe a hand through my hair, and head to the kitchen. There’s gotta be some iced tea in here somewhere. I pull the refrigerator open and listen as they chatter away.

Two peas in a pod.

I pour three glasses of iced tea and deliver two over to the table. Ma glances up with a smile and Ruby takes one from my hand without looking up. Her fingers brush mine as the glass leaves my hand. She continues to talk to Ma about whatever they are planning. Flowers or something.

I glance at the clock in the kitchen. Ugh, almost ten. Hudson will be hunting me shortly. Or worse, sending that hellhound of his after me.

“Alright, I have chores to get to ladies, have fun.” I wave as I wander out the back door, grabbing my hat from the hook as I go.

Ten minutes later, I have Magnet saddled and mounted up, before pushing him into a trot down the lane toward the southern paddocks. Harry wants the herd of weaners shifted further downfield to let the pasture rest. Shouldn’t take more than an hour or so.

Hudson’s truck is at the paddock gate of his brood mares. He walks around between them, checking them over. Always fussing over them, my big brother. And Ruby is back at the homestead, completely immersed in planning Ma’s party. You can tell she loves it, the way she lights up talking about her work. I wish I had that. Something I loved to sink my teeth into.

I push Magnet into a lope.

The grey gelding picks up a steady rhythm. I sit back in the saddle. This is one of the few parts of ranching I actually enjoy. Me and Magnet, the wind whipping past. A thousand pounds of pure power.

When I reach the paddock with grazing cattle, I slow Magnet to a walk and lean down and slide the gate latch open. Maneuvering the gelding around, I pull the gate shut and trot around the herd. The gate for the next pasture runs along the back fence. I head for that, running an eye over the animals as I pass.

No obvious signs of anything amiss.

Harry always wants an update. I open the gate and lope back before pushing the herd onto greener pastures, literally. When all are squared away in their fresh field, I head home. Hopefully, I can catch Rubes before she goes.

Rubes.

Reedsy and Rubes.

R & R.

Now that could be a very dangerous thought...

I chuckle at my lame joke and urge Magnet into a flat-out gallop. Something about the chance of not seeing her before she heads back to town has my gut in knots. The gelding obliges, ears flat back as we sail over the dirt road that winds through the laneway.

When we reach the paddock before the barn, I slow him to a trot. Something Huddo taught me a long time ago—the last leg home should always be controlled. Bolting horses is not something you want to build into your riding repertoire.

The dirt-covered Mercedes is still there. I all but fly out of the saddle and lead the gelding to the wash down bay, before making quick work of his rinse off and returning the tack to the barn. As I let Magnet loose in his paddock, Ruby walks from the front door with Ma.

I jog over, halter still in hand. “All done?”

Ruby takes me in from head to toe and smiles. “For the minute. There’s some more prep work, and we need to confirm some things before anyone gets to relax. Oh, and I need you to help me with something.”

“Thank you for coming all the way out again, Ruby,” Ma says, giving her a tight hug before walking back to the house.

Ruby’s gaze snags on my hat. “Stellar hat, Reedsy.”

I dip it before tugging it off and plopping it on her head. It falls forward as she lifts her chin, trying to peer out from underneath, her hands still tight around the handles of her tote. I lift it up for her as she huffs a soft laugh. “Think it’s a little big.”

“It looks good on you. You should come for a ride with me one day before you head back to the city. If you want, that is...” I run my hand across the back of my neck. I have no idea what her plans are, really. Or how long she is staying here for. “What did you need?”

“Oh. Was there anything you think your mom would like for her party that she wouldn’t have told me about?” she asks, handing the hat back.

I let it hang between my fingers.

“Fireworks.” I nod and pull the best serious face I can muster.

“Really, fireworks? She doesn’t seem like an explosive sky kind of gal.” Ruby is grinning at me now.

I laugh and shove the hat on my head. “Yeah, that one may have been my childhood dream ever since these birthday parties of Ma’s have been a thing. Which is my whole life, come to think of it.”

“Okay, well, if you think of anything, text me, okay?”

“Will do.”

She starts for her car. “Oh, and Reedsy. I’ll be back next week, maybe we could go for a ride then?”

The grin that stretches my face won’t quit. I will be counting down the seconds to that little bit of Ruby and Reed R & R.

“Yes, ma’am.”