by Kennedy Fox
Their jaws lock, but they don’t talk back. I get the feeling they get themselves into a lot of trouble by their parents’ reaction.
Kiera sweeps loose strands of blond hair out of her face. “Oh, Gavin, these are our two boys, Knox and Kane. You’ll see them around doing the guided horse tours at the B&B. They also feed them in the morning and shovel shit in the afternoon, which will be the least of their worries if they keep driving me crazy.”
Their faces contort, but they have manners and shake my hand.
“Nice to meet you,” they say. There’s no way I could tell them apart, even if I tried.
During my interview with Jackson and Kiera, they explained how busy they’ve been with training and how they desperately needed extra help with the wild horses. I went through all my experience, and a week later, they offered me a position. I had some other obligations at home first and couldn’t start immediately, but they were willing to wait. When I got the call, there wasn’t a doubt in my bones about accepting the job. The money was great, I’d have a place to stay, and the landscape was vast and beautiful. Though Houston will always be home, I was ready to escape to a small town away from the lifestyle I’d led. I fell in love with Eldorado the first time I visited. There’s something magical about the ranch that I can’t explain.
“I’ll meet y’all outside,” Alex tells the twins. One of them releases a grunt while the other rolls his eyes.
Kiera sighs once they’re out of sight. “I wish they were more like their sister. Kaitlyn does things without being disrespectful.”
Jackson chuckles and turns to me. “That’s our youngest. She just left for her second year of college, but she’ll be back during the holidays and breaks. I’m sure you’ll see her around then.”
The phone rings, and Keira answers and immediately begins scribbling on a notepad. “How about next week? Could probably fit you in on Monday. Yep. See ya then.” She ends the call, then looks up at me. “I hope you’re ready to start workin’ this afternoon,” she tells me.
“I sure am. Been looking forward to it,” I admit, which seems to please them both. The exhaustion on their faces is evident. I’m glad I can relieve some of the pressure and stress they’ve had running this huge empire by themselves.
“Great,” Jackson says, patting me on the back. “We’ve got a packed training schedule for the next five years.”
My eyes widen in shock.
“That might be a slight exaggeration.” Kiera snorts. “But the rest of the year and next will be really busy, though. Since our competitor closed shop, business has been booming.”
“That’s great.” I smile.
“Have you eaten?” Jackson abruptly changes the subject, but Kiera doesn’t seem to mind and goes back to her calendar.
“Actually, no,” I respond.
Jackson immediately shakes his head. “Unacceptable.” Swinging open the office door, he finds Alex standing by the truck talking to the twins and moves toward him. “Not feeding our new employee on his first day is ridiculous. The man has to eat!”
Alex rolls his eyes and flips him off. Jackson turns toward me. “Alex will take you to the B&B for breakfast. It’s tradition. Then I’ll show you ’round here.”
Kiera comes outside and frowns. “Don’t be a bad influence.”
“Yeah, yeah. Haven’t heard that all my life.” He chuckles. “Really happy you took our offer. Now go eat. I’ll see you back here in an hour.”
“Is that a firm hour?” Alex asks. “Or do we have time?”
Jackson shrugs. “Take however long you need, considering it’s his first day. Make sure he tries the blueberry pancakes,” he tells Alex, then looks at me. “My niece makes the best stacks in Texas,” Jackson says with a grin.
“Sounds like I need to.” I smile. Alex and I climb into the truck while Knox and Kane ride in the back.
Alex drives us across the property on the road that leads to the shop. “Sorry. I should’ve thought about bringin’ ya to the B&B for breakfast since we were so close. Slipped my mind, though.”
“No need to apologize. I should’ve eaten before I left the house. I typically do,” I explain.
“Nah. Not anymore. Breakfast at the B&B is something you should add to your daily schedule. It’s served from six to ten every day with enough to feed a small army—or rather all the ranch hands on-site.” He chuckles.
Alex parks in the front by a ton of other work trucks. I check my phone and see it’s just past seven. Knox and Kane climb out of the bed, and I follow Alex up the steps. Once we’re inside, the smell of bacon and pancakes has my stomach growling. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.
The tall ceilings and wooden floors of the B&B give me the same feeling as when I’d visit my grandma’s house. We enter the buffet area, and I am surprised by the amount of food even though Alex warned me. We grab plates, and I notice the ample seating inside the dining room for the guests.
“There’s seating outside too,” Alex explains, piling sausage and scrambled eggs on his plate.
“Showing him how to do it right,” a man says from behind, and my brows furrow.
He holds out his hand and takes mine. “I’m John, nice to meet you.”
I glance at Alex. “Jackson didn’t say he was a twin, did he?”
I shake my head.
“I’m the non-crazy one,” John explains with a chuckle. “I run the B&B.”
“Gotcha. I was slightly confused for a second,” I admit.
John takes in a deep breath. “I’m sure you were. Most people are. Thankfully, Jackson’s somewhat settled down in his old age, or I’m sure some sort of joke would’ve been played on ya. Trust me when I say it’s not been easy having the same face as him.”
His admission has me chuckling. “I can only imagine.”
“Don’t let me interrupt you. Enjoy your food. If you need anything, let me know,” John says, then walks away to greet some of the guests who enter. It would be impossible to sleep in late with the delicious smells wafting through the house.
Alex and I sit at a table by the large windows that oversee the backyard, and Knox and Kane make their way to a bigger table. Though it’s the last day of August, it’s by no means cool, so hopefully, the temperatures will drop soon. The humidity here isn’t like it is in Houston, but it’s still hot as hell.
“So, how long has this place been here?” I ask, interested in the history of the B&B.
“Almost thirty years. It was John’s idea to turn the old farmhouse into a nature getaway. Ever since we remodeled and fixed it up, we’ve been booked solid. Some regulars have booked the same weeks for the past few decades and have made visiting here a tradition in their family, which Mama loves.”
I take a bite of the blueberry pancakes like Jackson suggested, and I swallow it down. My eyes go wide as I take bigger bites until my plate is clean.
“Good, huh?” Alex grins. “My niece, John’s daughter, is the head chef. Took all Mama’s recipes and added some of her culinary skills to them. She plans all the meals, and with her small team, she prepares hot food every day for every meal.”
“You Bishops are the jacks-of-all-trades,” I say, impressed with how much they’ve accomplished.
“Not to mention my older brother Evan is a doctor and so is his wife. So, if an apocalypse happens, you’re in the right place.” Alex says around a mouthful. It makes me smile.
Seconds later, Diesel and Riley enter, going back and forth with each other just like they were this morning, but now it all makes sense.
Alex shakes his head. “They act like that all the time.”
Another guy I haven’t met yet is following them. As soon as the guys see me, they walk up and give hellos and introductions.
“Grayson, this is Gavin. He’s helping Uncle Jackson with the horses,” Riley says, popping a piece of bacon in his mouth.
“Nice to meet ya.” We say it at the same time, then laugh.
“I work with Diesel, but hope to one day be traini
ng horses too,” Grayson tells me.
“I’m the best boss he’s ever had!” Diesel nearly yells. Grayson rolls his eyes.
“Let’s eat,” Riley announces, getting antsy, and they follow him to sit with Knox and Kane.
I get up and put another stack of pancakes on my plate, then cover them with syrup. As I take a big bite of pancakes, I think about the night I had with a girl the last time I was here. I think I remember Maize mentioning someone named Grayson, and I wonder if it’s the same guy. It’s a small town, so it’s possible.
I think about that night we spent together often and wish I would’ve asked her for her number. I’ve thought about her and the chemistry we shared. It’s been impossible to get her out of my system, and it’s not from a lack of trying.
We finish eating, and Knox and Kane decide to ride with Riley. Alex delivers me to Jackson, who’s sweating his ass off with a shovel in his hand.
Alex rolls down the window. “Hey, old man. I brought Gavin back as demanded.”
Jackson gruffs. “Thank you, captain obvious.”
“Thanks for showing me around,” I tell Alex as I get out of the truck.
“Anytime!” Alex says out the open window, then gives me a wave before leaving.
Jackson sets the shovel down and walks over to me, wiping the sweat from his brow. “How was breakfast?”
“Great. Reminds me of my ma’s cookin’,” I admit. “I think I ate ten pancakes.”
“Told ya! Anyway, guess we should get you acquainted with the training area.”
We walk over to the different sections and barns. Among the several corrals is enough room to train several horses at once. Before I got hired, Kiera and Jackson explained their experience and what they were looking for in an employee. For the past few years, they’ve been doing everything on their own with their kids’ help. They want to expand, but without help, that’s not possible.
“Right now, we’re training eight horses. Two will be picked up by the end of the week, and one was delivered about an hour ago. The others are at different stages but only have a few more weeks to go. We’re also getting some new mares on Monday.”
I nod and make a mental note. We walk to the edge of the training area, and Jackson shows me an obstacle course set up for barrel racing. It’s impressive, but it seems everything the Bishops do is.
“The kids usually feed the horses in the morning, and I make them clean out stalls in the afternoons. For the most part, they’re doing different tasks around the ranch. They’re good kids, but damn, they make me feel old.”
I give him a side-grin. “My ma always said to be good growing up, or my payback would be having kids who were worse than me. Guess they’re yours.”
“Damn right they are,” he admits, shaking his head. “Oh, that colt delivered this morning will be your first project. He’s in the stable being fed but thought you could get started with him today. Spunky as hell and has a bad attitude.”
“Just my type.” I chuckle.
“Fireball should be a good start for you,” he tells me, leading me to the barn.
The colt looks like he’s around two and doesn’t pay any attention to us.
“Apparently, he’s a fucker, I mean bucker. Same thing, though.” Jackson leans against the gate.
“Has he had any saddle practice?” I ask, wanting to know the history and what level we’re starting on.
“The owners have done nothing but put a halter on him and led him on rides. He’s an asshole, and they want him broken in enough for their grandkids to ride.”
Fireball starts pawing his hoof on the ground, and I smile. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about work. Jackson shows me the location of all the gear, then he leaves me to myself. Taking my time, I lead Fireball out to the arena, and we get started.
The afternoon passes by quickly, and I work with Fireball until we’re both exhausted. I started slow with leading and saddle practice, and he hated every minute. Repetition is key when training and breaking animals. After we finish working, I rinse him down and put him in the pasture, where he immediately starts rolling.
“You are an asshole,” I yell at him, then walk to the office, remembering I left my truck at the shop this morning. Jackson’s got his feet up on the desk when I enter.
“Can you possibly give me a ride to the shop?” I ask, and he’s more than willing.
We hop in the truck, and on the way over, he asks me how things went this afternoon.
I grin. “Great, but you’re right, he does have an attitude. I think he’ll realize who’s in charge, though, hopefully.”
Jackson chuckles. “He better.”
He pulls up next to my truck, and I thank him before I get out and wave as he drives off. As I’m pulling my keys from my pocket, Riley and Diesel exit the shop. They look like they’ve both had a hell of a day.
“There you are,” Riley says. “We both stupidly forgot to get your number earlier.”
I pull my phone out, and we exchange info.
“Want me to pick you up on the way there?” Riley asks.
“Yeah, that’d be great. Just need to take a shower first.”
Diesel looks down at all the dirt on his clothes. “Good idea.”
“Awesome! I’ll pick you up around eight-ish,” Riley tells me, then turns to Diesel. “You need a ride too?”
“Nah, man, I’m gonna stay until close to hang out with your sister.” He elbows him. Riley lets out a groan. A roar of laughter escapes Diesel, and I can tell he’s getting a kick out of rubbing this in his best friend’s face.
“I’m probably only going to stay for a drink, then go home, if that’s cool with you,” he tells me.
“That’s fine. I gotta be up early for work in the morning anyway.”
“See,” Riley says with a finger to his chest. “Some of us are responsible adults.”
Diesel laughs. “I’m responsible, ask my girlfriend.”
Riley’s ready to punch him in the face but doesn’t. I tell them both goodbye and get in the truck and leave. I replay my day, and I realize I’m tired. By the time I walk up the steps and enter the cabin, I’m more than ready to wash off the sweat of the day.
I’m not used to being here yet, but I’m sure it will eventually feel like home. On the walls are photographs of horses and fences, rolling hills and old tractors. The décor is exactly what one would expect to see on a ranch. I go to my bedroom, grab some clothes, then take a shower.
By the time I’m finished, I still have a few hours before Riley arrives. I could have driven myself, but he’s not staying that long anyway, so it’s not a big deal. My eyes are tired, and I end up falling asleep on the couch until knocks tap on the door. I get up, and Riley’s standing there with a smile. “Ready?”
“Yep,” I tell him, grabbing my keys and walking out with him.
We drive over to the saloon, and Maize comes to mind. She was drinking her worries away, looking so goddamn gorgeous. I’m tempted to ask Riley if he knows her since this is a small town, but I don’t. If we’re meant to see each other again, we will.
“So how’d you end up here, considering you used to ride professionally?” he asks on the way.
“After I won a few championships, I was ready to get out of Houston. Eldorado seemed like the perfect place to settle down and not be in the hustle or bustle of a big city. It's the exact opposite of what I’m used to, and I love training horses.”
“Oh, so you’re from Houston. I didn’t realize people were into riding and stuff there,” he admits.
A lot of people think that, especially if they don’t know the landscape.
“My parents live on the outskirts, not downtown or anything. But yeah, there’s a lot of riding that goes on, and the Houston Rodeo is one of the biggest in Texas. It’s a popular thing to do. When I watched the bull riders there as a kid, I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up. Plus, I’m somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.”
Riley
laughs. “You’d have to be to get on the back of one of those animals.”
We pull into the parking lot, and a small smile touches my lips when we walk inside.
“Looks like Diesel’s already here,” Riley mutters as we walk toward the bar. He’s chatting with people, but Riley interrupts him. “Uh…anyway.” He clears his throat. “This is Gavin. He’ll be working with Jackson training horses.”
Kenzie’s eyes go wide, and recognition flashes behind them. I wonder if she remembers me from the bar that night, but she doesn’t say a word. Neither do I. My heart races, and I wonder if Maize is here too.
I meet Rowan, and when I turn my head, I see Maize sitting there as pretty as ever. I have so many damn questions I can barely contain myself.
“This is my other cousin, Maize. She’s the cook at the B&B.”
I smirk, realizing I was eating her food this morning. “Ooh, the one who makes the amazing pancakes.”
Maize slightly turns to shake my hand, and that’s when she sees me. She blinks hard, as if she expects me to disappear. I wish she’d say something, and I open my mouth, but Rowan interrupts me, thankfully. There are too many people around to ask her what the hell happened that night.
“So, Gavin, where’re you from?” Rowan asks, moving the conversation away from Maize, who’s acting awkward as hell.
“Houston. But I’ve traveled a lot in the past twelve years or so. I’ve been all over the state.”
“Gavin’s a retired bull rider,” Riley explains. “Trains riders now on the side.”
“Oh my God,” Kenzie gushes in the same tone she did the night I first met her. “That is so cool. I would love to see you ride.”
I’m well aware of her personality and how she acts, and I smile at her. She has to remember me.
Taking a seat at the bar, I order a drink as Rowan walks up to Diesel. She’s obviously Alex’s daughter, and I don’t doubt for a second he wouldn’t kick Diesel’s ass if he hurt her. Noticing the way they look at each other, though, I can tell it’s the real deal. While I’m sipping my beer, Maize gets up and walks away, then Rowan follows her.
Diesel brings up my bull riding days, and I get lost in conversation. When I turn to order another drink, I realize Maize never returned. It makes me think that bailing on people might just be her thing.