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)
“Good warning.”
The conversation fell away, but it was one of those rare times in Cole’s life where it didn’t feel awkward. He didn’t talk a lot at work, but nobody really expected it because they were all so busy. In social situations, he struggled to make small talk. It was always so awkward and painful.
But not with JB.
The silence was comfortable and restful. The beauty of the world rolled out in front of them, and it didn’t demand comment. Just quiet appreciation for the sharpness of the green grass and waving yellow stalks in the light breeze. The sky was a crisp blue flecked with white wisps of clouds. In the distance, he could see the cows grazing on the grass and gathering in the shades of some of the trees that dotted the terrain. There was a peacefulness to the area that he’d never experienced before.
And he was exploring this beauty on the back of a horse while wearing a goddamn cowboy hat. If someone had told him ten years earlier that he would be doing this, he’d have laughed his ass off. It had never been on a to-do list or a bucket list. How could he have dreamed of living his whole life without experiencing this?
Cole finally broke the silence with the one question that kept repeating in his head. “JB, you mind if I ask why you joined the Army?”
JB’s smile twisted into something of a smirk for a moment. “Well, this ranch has been in my family for three generations now. Started by my cranky old grandpappy who loved horses and lots of space. Growing up, I always knew I’d take over the ranch one day and probably hand it down to my kids. I love this ranch, this way of life. Always have.”
“But…” Cole said when JB fell off, staring into space.
“But,” JB continued with a chuckle, “there’s a whole great big world out there to explore. I knew if I finished school and took over this ranch, then this ranch was all I was ever going to see. But if I went into the Army, I could see some of the world, experience some new things, and maybe do something good for my country.” He held up both hands with the palms up on either side of him like they were a set of scales. “Two birds, one stone. That sort of thing.”
“So, you always intended to return and take over the ranch.”
“Oh, yeah. I figured I’d go in and do my four years, then come back here.” He snorted and shook his head. “During the last year of my first tour, I was put in a squad with Keegan.”
“And you had to sign up for another four.”
JB laughed. “Yup. Had to see what that crazy fool was going to do next. It also didn’t hurt that I was good at what I did.”
“You didn’t mind coming home, then.”
JB grinned at him. “Would you?”
Cole could only shake his head. He could not imagine a world where this would be a bad place to call home.
“Now what about you? I can’t—” JB suddenly cut off what he was saying and stood up in his stirrups. He squinted, staring off at what looked like a black spot in the field.
“What’s wrong?” Cole asked. He squinted against the sun as well, but he still couldn’t make out what JB was looking at.
“Not sure. Maybe we should check it out.” All the joking and laughter were gone from JB’s voice. This was serious. There was no missing it with the hardness that entered JB’s jaw or the tension that now tightened his shoulders.
But to the man’s credit, he didn’t push Bandit to more than a walk, keeping to a pace Cole was comfortable with.
“You can go ahead of me if you want,” Cole offered, not wanting to hinder JB’s work.
The cowboy flashed him a tight smile as he looked over at Cole. “I ain’t leaving you.” The smile disappeared when he looked forward again. “Besides, looks like the deed is done now.”
As they got closer, it was clear that two black cows were lying on their sides. They weren’t stirring. Not even a twitch of the ear to chase away the flies. The other cows had moved a good distance off, seeming to stay away from this patch of ground.
“Shit,” JB swore as he pulled Bandit to a neat halt and jumped down.
Cole hesitated, not sure if he should dismount since he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get on Dopey again without the mounting block. As JB got closer to the cows, Cole figured he would be of more use on the ground than observing from astride Dopey.
Tightly gripping the horn, he leaned forward and started to swing his leg around the same way he’d seen JB do it.