Worth the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “Trap?”

  “You know what I’m talking about. You’ve always loved to piss me off. I swear, I think you used to do that shit on purpose, but if you ever do that in front of my daughter again, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t.”

  “Heh. I’d like to see you try.” I shrug, trying not to laugh as we walk toward the truck. Climbing in, I toss my bag on the floorboard and do something completely out of character. Looking at him, I apologize. “Weston, I get it. We’re not kids anymore. I’m sorry ‘bout that.” Pulling down the sun visor, I flip open the mirror and begin to pull my hair up into a messy ponytail. Weston looks in my direction and shakes his head.

  “What?”

  “You make that look so simple. Do you know it took me almost a year to get a ponytail perfected and then Bryndle wanted to change it up to a French braid. I don’t know what I’m going to do when she wants to try something off one of those videos she’s watched. She’s showed me them, and I keep praying that phase will pass.”

  Pulling the ponytail tight, I close the mirror and lift the sun visor before looking his way. For some reason, I can feel the passion in his words and how desperately he wants to make her beautiful even if it makes him lose his man card.

  “Well, if you ever need me to help you out in that department, I’m only a farm away.”

  “Thanks, because she’s already starting to change and it’s scaring the hell outta me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Weston gets uncomfortable in his seat, and I place my hand on his arm. “We don’t have to talk about it, but just know, I don’t mind answering your questions about stuff. There was a time I wasn’t a girlie girl either, and now look at me.” Weston avoids looking at me. “All it took was college and my life changed dramatically. I’m still that tomboy deep down, but I love this side of me too. You’ve got to learn to balance it.”

  “If you say so,” he replies as we continue down the road.

  Chapter 8

  Weston

  There’s something about a truck ride that can either make you feel free or trapped without a way to escape. I’m positive that this morning one of my prayers was answered. It was like Timber parked herself in this truck and said everything I needed to hear. I’ve cussed Hannah so many times for leaving us, but in the next moment I’d pray for a female to help me out. Sure, my mom did little things before she passed and I’ve had offers, but none were as genuine as this one. The moment she pulled her hair into that ponytail she looked like the old Timber, but her touch on my arm made me feel something you should never feel for your best friend’s sister.

  Pulling up to Mr. Strange’s farm, I see that Scarlett is no longer in the pasture. She must be in the barn, and I hope he doesn’t have anything valuable in there because this could get out of hand.

  Timber and I make our way to greet Mr. Strange, and he informs us that the horse had a rough night. Undoubtedly, she tried to break down the barn stall. He seems relatively calm so I am going to assume the damage was minimal. Why in the world didn’t I take her yesterday? I look to Timber and she nods, knowing what I’m thinking. We’ve got to assess her again without Bryndle around and it could get dangerous.

  We spend a few moments with Mr. Strange before he excuses himself so that we can do our work. I pause before we enter the barn.

  “Let me check it out before we both go in.”

  “Hell no, I didn’t come with you to sit back, besides being the rodeo’s vet in Houston has helped me come to love these wild ones.”

  “Fine,” I say as I open the door and hear her moving around. She’s not bucking or being too crazy, but I can sense that she doesn’t like the enclosure or something about this place.

  We walk calmly toward her and she watches us intently. “Hey there, pretty girl,” I say as I inch closer to her. I extend my hand toward her. She pauses and looks at me with caution.

  “Hey there, Scarlett. My Bryndle couldn’t come today. She’s got school, but I know she’s excited for you to come to our house. It’s okay.” I continue to talk to her as I inch closer. When I’m within arms distance I feel someone else close by and realize that Timber has wasted no time moving with me. She begins to talk to Scarlett as well.

  “Hey, pretty girl. I need to take a look at ya. Make sure you didn’t hurt yourself last night so we can get going.”

  The horse seems to calm to the sound of Timber’s voice. I take her and slide on a bridle. She lets me do it with ease and Timber begins to check her once more. Opening her bag, Timber begins to prepare the vaccines. One by one she quickly administers them and Scarlett seems to handle them well.

  Once they are finished, I take the lead rope and attach it to the bridle. I hope to guide her out of the barn with minimal issues.

  She does okay as we walk through the barn and into the sunlight, but as we step closer to the trailer anxiety begins to set in. Within a second she has reared back and I’m holding the rope with extra force. Timber drops her bag and takes a step forward.

  “Shh,” she says as she tries to calm the horse. “It’s okay, Scarlett. I promise. Weston here’s nothing but a big baby. Don’t let that hard face and muscles fool you. He’s going to take great care of you. I promise.” What the hell? Big baby my ass.

  As the horse begins to rear again, she takes another step forward and clearly isn’t worried about the danger she has placed herself in. When Scarlett’s hooves tickle the ground, Timber slides her hand down the horse’s mane. “Calm down or he’s not gonna let you stay.”

  All I can think is that this horse would much rather be running wild and free than on a farm. After a little more prodding, Scarlett finally enters the trailer. Timber helps me close the gate and once we ensure that everything is secured, we talk to Mr. Strange before heading back to the farm.

  I don’t say a word on our way back to the farm. I’ve got a million things on my mind, including the girl beside me. I’m the damn horse whisperer, not her. She takes out her phone and does that famous finger scroll I’ve watched Bryndle do so many times. I try not to roll my eyes.

  Arriving back at the farm, I see that Forrest and the guys are hard at work in the orchard. Harvesting at Parker’s Peaches is in full swing and I can’t wait to see the profits this year. It’s amazing how one restaurant using our peaches has changed our life. We’re a small orchard, but as long as we can guarantee a crop, Border Cafe places their order for the entire season of peaches. That is one of the best peach cobblers I’ve ever eaten, and it’s a good thing my mama isn’t around to know that I think that.

  “Man, you’ve got them working like crazy, and you’re just having fun with a horse. Is that all you do around here?” she says with sass.

  “Hell no, I work my ass off.”

  “Whoa tiger, I was just messin’ with ya. I know how hard you work and you always have, but you’re slacking today. Scarlett here has put you behind I’m sure.”

  “Yeah, but she needs to be taken care of. Mr. Strange had no clue what to do with her. I don’t know what he thought he was doing putting her in that stall.”

  “I know, right?” she says with a smile. “That was destined for destruction.” She glances at the time. “I’ve got about an hour before I need to be back at the clinic. You want me to help you with her?”

  “I don’t need help.”

  “Shit. You keep telling yourself that. Especially in another two years when Bryndle thinks she’s bleeding to death.” Oh dear Lord, she had to go there. I think I’m going to be sick. “See ya later. I’ll stop by tomorrow if that’s okay.”

  “Sure.”

  “Oh and Weston, you’ll be alright. Growing up sucks, doesn’t it?”

  “You have no idea,” I say as I walk to the back of the trailer and begin to put Scarlett in her new forever home. Never in my life did I think a wild horse would be a permanent fixture on our farm. That little girl really does have me wrapped around her finger.

  Timber

  Taking my bag, I walk
back to my truck and then decide to go and say hello to my brother. I find him arm deep in peaches.

  “Looks like this season’s going to be mouthwatering.”

  “Yeah. I told you yesterday it was going to be a good’un. Just hope they last all season since they are early.”

  “Isn’t that why there’s like fifty different types of peaches out here?”

  “Four, not fifty, and you’re right. We should be fine, but farming is always a gamble.”

  “So what we betting on?”

  “Shut up, smart ass.”

  “Why thank you,” I say as I get ready to leave.

  “Hey Timber, how’s Weston?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Just asking from a female perspective. You know he doesn’t talk about shit going on.”

  “He seems fine. Hell, do you really think he’s going to spill his guts to me? I’ve been home like a day, dumb ass.”

  Before I know what’s going on, Forrest launches a peach my direction.

  “Y’all aren’t throwing our profit around are you?” I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear Weston behind us.

  “Heck no, that one couldn’t be sold and she needs to go to the clinic,” Forrest states. I can tell there’s something that I don’t know. What? I have no idea.

  “Fine. I’m gone, but you throw something at me like that again and the outcome will be different.”

  He shakes his head as I turn to walk to my truck. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I pause and take in the sight in front of me. Two of my best friends are still thick as thieves. Years ago I walked away and thought I might never come back. Living in Houston was amazing and working the rodeo is something I’ll never forget, but I hadn’t realized how much I’d actually been missing.

  Chapter 9

  Weston

  A few minutes past three, I see Paw’s truck coming down the drive. I’m thankful for him. He still works around the farm most days, but he always stops to get our girl. That’s their time, and I often wonder what they do when I’m not around. It’s obvious she gets whatever she wants, but I wonder what they talk about or the secrets they share.

  With the slam of a door I hear Bryndle hurry toward the pen out back. It’s separate from the barn to ensure that the horse feels safe and secure. It’s been here since after I gave up the rodeo. It was my way of still taking part. Today, when someone in our area needs help with a horse, I’m the guy. I’ve thought about what it would be like to go back to rodeoing, but I know if I do, it will consume my life and I have more than myself to worry about these days.

  Paw deeded the farm to me after Mama died. He wanted to make sure it was in good hands. After taking over the farm, I knew I needed someone else to partner with me – someone that understood what Parker’s Peaches was about, and that’s where Forrest comes in. It’s our little secret. I named him general manager of the farm and able to run anything around this place if something would happen to me until Bryndle is old enough to decide if she wants to continue this business. I’d never want to push it on her.

  “Daddy! Is she here?” Bryndle asks as she runs up to me.

  “Let’s go see,” I say as she throws her backpack on the ground and takes off toward the pen. “Stay out of the pen, Sweet Peach!”

  Glancing at Paw, he smiles. “She’s been talking about this horse since I picked her up. I can tell you right now that if you’d have given her to Timber, she’d never have forgiven you.”

  “Nah, she’d have gotten over it.”

  “Watcha mean?”

  “We got caught in a Timber tornado yesterday and Bryndle’s exact words were that she liked her.”

  He starts to shake his head, “Um, that’s gonna be trouble.”

  “You’re telling me. As long as she doesn’t show Bryndle the crap we used to pull, I’ll be okay. Want to go check her out?”

  We walk to the pen and as we approach, I see that Bryndle has obeyed my requests this time. Thank goodness, but my bet is she’s only obeying so that we keep Scarlett. Dad and I stand and watch her for a moment. I smile looking at my little girl. She has a heart for these creatures like me. There’s something about a wild animal that calls to me. I want to set it free but conquer it at the same time.

  “She’s gonna be good with her,” Dad says.

  “Yeah, you know what she asked me the other night? I thought I was gonna lose it.”

  “To saddle bronc ride.” I stop and stare at him. He freaking knew. “Weston, we talk about it a lot. She’s asked about your stories her entire life, and over the past few months she’s gotten pretty curious about it. I’m not saying you should let her try it, but don’t rule it out. Plus, I’ve been thinking. What if you tried it again?”

  “No, and no.”

  “I heard there’s a few spots open to the public at the rodeo in August. Think about it. I know what scared you, but I know you want to be back on one.”

  “I do, but what about Bryndle? I don’t want her to come. Not until I know for sure it’s a done deal.”

  “I’ll keep her. Plus, you’ve not had a night out in God knows how long. She can stay with me and go to church. It will be fine.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “There’s one in South Carolina in two weeks.” Damn him. Now my brain is spinning.

  We approach Bryndle, who is talking up a storm to Scarlett. “What you think, Sweet Peach?”

  “I love her already.” And so do I.

  The remainder of the evening I show Bryndle everything it takes to work with Scarlett and show her what she can do to help. She’s promised to feed her every morning. In the afternoons once she’s finished her homework, she’s allowed to work with her with my assistance.

  When she’s content, I help the guys finish up on the farm and check on Scarlett once more. Then Bryndle and I clean up and head toward Brandy’s to grab a burger and fries.

  Timber

  Once Daddy and I finish with the last patient, I head to the house to get a shower and figure out what I’m going to do for supper tonight. Walking inside, Mama is standing in the kitchen staring in the fridge. “It’s not gonna cook itself,” I say with a laugh.

  “I know! I wish someone would tell me what to cook. That’s my hardest decision of the day.”

  “I’ve got an idea. Let’s grab a burger at Brandy’s. When we were in there the other night my mouth started watering.”

  “Sounds good to me. Go let your daddy know.” I go tell Dad while he’s taking his boots off on the back porch and then I hurry to the loft to take a fast shower. After I’m done, I toss on a pair of shorts and my Shug & Honey tank. I pull my hair up in a messy ponytail and slide on my boots. Looking in the mirror, I realize I need a little bling. I grab my Jess Mo studs and wait for my parents in the living room.

  Arriving at Brandy’s, I find a booth and slide in. Marsha comes and takes our drink order and I take in my surroundings. As a kid, we’d come here before the rowdy crowd showed up and as a teenager we were the rowdy crowd.

  “Some things never change, do they?” I hear over my shoulder and look up to see Weston and Bryndle.

  “It’s amazing. It’s like I’m in a time warp. I swear it wasn’t like this with Forrest and them the other night...” His face goes pale, and I’m almost afraid he’s about to pass out. “Want to sit with us?”

  “Nah, we don’t want to impose.”

  “Oh hogwash! Take a seat, Weston. Besides I need a little Bryndle time,” Mama says, looking in her direction.

  “Hey, Maw!” Bryndle says with a smile and it’s obvious she hangs around my nephew James too much.

  Weston looks to Bryndle and her face lights up, so we move from the booth to the table next to us. When Marsha returns, I about fall off my seat and onto the floor when she literally stares Weston down from head to toe. I swear if he were edible, he’d be crumbs by now. However, he is so dang clueless.

  We order and as we wait for our food, Mama and Bryndle begin to talk.
I had no clue how much Mama knows about her. I look to Weston and he shrugs his shoulders. Bryndle begins to talk about the upcoming school dance and I can see Weston start to squirm so I jump in.

  “So tell me, when is this dance?”

  “Next week. It’s a reward for our positive behavior. It’s during the school day too.”

  “Okay, and aren’t we always supposed to have positive behavior at school?” I question.

  “Oh how it’s changed, Timber. They now get these stamps and a party for behaving. All we got was a paddling for misbehaving.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Yeah, it’s called PBIS. I have to have four stamps a day. I can’t wait for the dance. I found this cute hairstyle I want to try, but I haven’t showed Daddy yet.”

  “Really? I just mastered the French braid.”

  “Show me,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket and tapping the YouTube app. Bryndle quickly finds it and shows it to me. “You want a Gaga Bow?”

  “Yes! They are so cute! I know Daddy can do it,” she says with sheer confidence.

  Looking at Weston I can see the uncertainty in his eyes. “How ‘bout this. I’ll come and help you get ready that morning.”

  “Can she, Daddy?”

  “Sure.” He mouths thank you as Bryndle erupts.

  “Yessss! I already have a dress too.”

  “You do?” Weston asks in confusion.

  “Yeah, Paw took me to get it one afternoon.” I almost choke on my beer when I realize how this little girl truly knows how to work all the men in her life.

  “What’s it like?” my mama asks. Bryndle continues to go on and on about the dress and the dance. When the food arrives, we all get quiet and enjoy it. As I take a bite, I swear it’s better than sex.

  “Good huh?” Weston asks.

  “It’s better than I remember.”

  After we finish, I can see that Bryndle is starting to get tired. Weston excuses them, but as he begins to stand my mama begins to speak.