“I need your help,” Red beckoned. “We’re shorthanded for a ride, so I guess we’re going to find out if you remember which side of a saddle is up.”
Nate grinned, it would be nice to hit the trail. He liked his work around the barn, it kept him out of the way of others, but he didn’t mind showing the old man he still had what it took.
“I’m ready,” The young man smiled as a graying red eyebrow shot upward. “Are you riding or are you too old?”
“Why you no good…” Red took a playful swat at Nate as he ducked out the door. “You watch it sunshine, or I’ll sic Nan on you next time you come for Sunday dinner.”
“You win, you win,” Nate laughed waving his hands in surrender as they headed for the barn. “I don’t ever want to be on the wrong side of Nancy. She scares me.”
Red’s sharp bark of laughter made Nate grin. “That woman is the best thing that ever happened to me. The years haven’t always been kind, and me being on the road with the rodeo so much took a toll, but she never let go.”
“You two had struggles?” Nate sounded surprised.
“Everyone has troubles, son.” Red looked up his light eyes dancing. “It’s how we get through them that determines who and what we are on judgment day.”
Nate let Red’s words trickle into his brain as Chase Haven handed him the reins of a leggy chestnut. “You up for riding drag?” the tall, blonde wrangler asked. “Just keep behind and watch for trouble.”
“You got it, boss,” Nate replied, tipping his head. Chase Haven had been a rodeo star a few years ago. One of Wyoming’s best bronc riders he had made a name for himself across the country. Nate still struggled to match the smiling wrangler, husband, and father, with the once volatile rider he had watched competing over the years.
“I see he’s givin’ you the good job again.” Kade Ballard pulled his team of oversized red mules to a stop in the yard while wranglers helped guests climb up onto patient horses.
“Hey Kade,” Nate turned to look at the huge cowboy looking relaxed on the seat of his large, red, antique, freight wagon. “Are you picking up guests?”
“We’re getting a group in soon.” Kade nodded. “I’ll be down there when the van arrives and give everyone a ride back to the house.” One of the mules cocked a hip and sighed impatiently, making Kade chuckle. “I guess these two think they’ve been neglected lately.”
“Is it true your family has kept a draft team at the ranch since it was first founded?” Nate asked curiously as he gauged the time before all the riders were ready.
“Not quite that long, but yes. My great-great-great something grandfather arrived here and married one of the original cattleman’s daughters. Hank Ballard had a team of Clydesdales when he took a job here on the Broken J.”
Nate shook his head wondering about traditions and keepsakes. His grandparents had sold the ranch when he was fifteen, moving to a smaller retirement town in Iowa near family. He didn’t have much left from his time on the ranch. What was it like to have roots that went that deep? he wondered. “It’s an interesting tradition,” he finally managed, Kade’s chuckle catching him by surprise.
“That’s only half of it,” the big man’s eyes twinkled. “Every team also bears the name of that original team, Jack and Scott.”
The two mules lifted their heads, standing square and preparing to lean into the highly polished harness.
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. Every single one of them, even these two.”
“Riders Ho!” The call echoed over the line of riders, flanked by wranglers and Nate turned to his horse, struggling to get a foot in the stirrup and swing up in anything resembling a smooth mount. He didn’t bother to look back at Kade who had clicked to his team chuckling as he trotted toward the parking area at the other side of the ranch.
Chapter 5
“Rainy, stop being a pain,” Anne snapped. “Your mom and dad can watch Lucas while we go to town. It’s time you have some fun.”
“Anne we’ve only been here a day, why don’t we wait?” Rainy hedged.
“No, we’re going tonight. Your mom already said she would watch Lucas. She had a long day with that trail ride and just wants to stay home and enjoy a slow supper and early night.”
“Go on honey,” Dana Smythe walked into the room, Lucas riding a stick horse on her heels. “You’re a young woman, go have some fun.”
“I don’t know.” Again Rainy looked at her son who was galloping around their room.
“Grama’s gonna take me for a ride in the big wagon,” Lucas said. “She promised.”
“See, he’s happy,” Dana added. “There’s an easy ride at sunset tonight, and this little man will be asleep by the time we come back.”
“Naha,” Lucas stopped his prancing and glared at his grandmother. “I’m staying awake the whole time.”
“Of course you are.” Dana winked at her daughter. “You and I have a date don’t we Lucas, so your mama can go out with Anne.”
“You can go, Mommy.” The boy turned bright eyes on her. “Bring me candy.”
“See, Rainy, you can go.”
“I’ll bring you a treat,” Rainy agreed, looking at her son. “Now give me a kiss, and you can go with Mimi.”
Lucas pushed his oversized hat back on his head and pecked his mother on the lips. “Giddy-up!” he shouted a second later racing off after his grandmother.
“Now, hair and make-up!” Anne squealed, rubbing her hands together with glee.
Rainy groaned but took a seat, there was no point arguing with Anne. She would get her way sooner or later. Besides, she didn’t need to look like a dowdy mom for her night on the town.
***
Country music blasted as Anne dragged Rainy into the western-themed bar in Tipton.
“It’s loud,” she called pulling her hand
