The Courage of a Cowboy

by Kristin Vayden

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” she answered, waiting to hear Laken’s voice.

  “Hey you! Just checking in. Anything on fire? Any insurance claims we need to make?” Laken joked.

  “Funny.”

  “No, but really, how is everything going? I feel super guilty about giving you and Jasper all this stuff to take care of.”

  “We’re fine. You just need to relax and enjoy the time with Cyler. And no, I don’t want any details.” Kessed’s eyes widened.

  “So, it’s going well?” Laken asked, her tone hopeful.

  “I haven’t killed him yet, so we’re good. You won’t have to bail me out of jail.”

  “Noted.” Laken paused, and Kessed narrowed her eyes.

  She could almost hear the gears turning in her best friend’s brain. “What is it?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Well, if you’re not killing each other, does that mean that maybe—”

  “No. Maybe. No. Just no.”

  “I heard a maybe.” Laken pounced like a cougar on a jackrabbit.

  “I slipped,” Kessed covered.

  “Liar face!”

  “Shit, you’re worse when I can’t just threaten you.”

  “The phone makes me feel invincible. That, and I’m a thousand miles away. If you hang up, I’ll just call back and—”

  “I’ll silence my phone?”

  “You’ll know… I’ll keep calling, and calling…” Laken replied in a creepy tone.

  “Weird. Crossing the weirdness line.” Kessed glanced out the window at the darkening sky.

  “Spill!” Laken encouraged.

  Kessed groaned. “There’s nothing to spill!”

  “No way, not buying it. The last time you said maybe was when we were in high school, and you were talking about my stupid-ass brother and—”

  “I was there, remember?”

  “Then you know that I’m not going to let this go,” Laken threatened.

  “Fine! I kissed him,” Kessed admitted, closing her eyes and resting her head against the bedframe, waiting for the realization to hit her friend then come back and give her whiplash from the assault of questions sure to follow.

  But there was nothing. Silence.

  Kessed opened her eyes then narrowed them. “Laken?”

  “I was waiting for more…” her friend encouraged.

  “That’s it! I kissed him. We’ve worked well together, and he feeds me French fries and doesn’t give me those fat judgment eyes when I order as much as he does.”

  “Marry him.”

  “Rein it in, Laken.”

  “Sorry, got carried away with the whole food revelation.” Laken sighed. “So, what’s the problem? I feel like you think there’s a problem. Does he not like you? Because I’m pretty sure he does. Cyler said he couldn’t keep his eyes off you at the wedding, which must have been pretty obvious because Cyler couldn’t keep his eyes off me.”

  Kessed grinned, truly happy for her friend. “Why do I feel like we’re passing notes in junior high again? Yes, he likes me.” As Kessed emphasized the word, a wave of insecurity washed over her.

  “Then what’s the problem, and if you say my brother, I might puke.”

  “Dramatic much?” Kessed sighed then bit her lip. “Maybe?”

  “You’re killing me! Seriously. You are killing me.”

  Kessed suppressed a grin. “It’s not so much Sterling as… the thought of it, you know? I mean, he’s what I’ve wanted for so long.”

  “But maybe he’s not what you need.” Laken cut to the heart of it. “Have you ever considered that?”

  Kessed glanced to the window at the setting sun. “You might be right. And before you go into your victory dance, I said might.”

  “Close enough!” Laken singsonged on the other line.

  “Why are we friends? You’re so annoying!”

  “You love me!”

  “Barely.”

  “Whatever. So, what are you doing to do?” Laken asked with eager anticipation.

  Kessed turned her gaze back to the ceiling. “Not sure. Just take it one day at a time. Slow. Take it slow.”

  “You’re so boring.”

  “Better boring than knocked up.”

  Laken giggled. “I guess that’s right… but you know there’s preventative ways—”

  “Turn off the nurse-mode. I don’t need the talk.”

  “If you need resources, or feel alone—”

  “We’re so done with this conversation,” Kessed interrupted, grinning at Laken’s laughter on the other line.

  “Slow is good. Be friends, learn about him. When do you see him next?”

  “Tomorrow. We’re getting your cows delivered, remember?”

  “Honestly, no. That’s Cyler’s department, and I’m staying out of it.”

  “Lucky you.”

  Laken sighed dreamily. “I am.”

  “And with that, I’m going to let you go and—”

  “Get lucky?” Laken finished.

  “Wasn’t going there, but thanks!” Kessed replied sarcastically. “Thanks for calling though. I kinda miss you.”

  “I almost miss you—if I had a chance. Cyler’s been—”

  “Bye!” Kessed hung up the phone before Laken could go into detail. It wasn’t that she was a prude as much as she didn’t want the specifics. She could guess, and that was enough. And Laken wandered into over-share territory a little too easily.

  As she set her phone to the side and sighed, she thought about the conversation. Laken had a way of cutting directly to the heart of the problem. It was both helpful and irritating all at once. Why is it that the heart of the problem usually wasn’t what I want it to be, but something that can seem so small but feel so huge? Kessed twisted her lips, thinking about Jasper.

  Honestly, she didn’t know where to go from there, but taking it slow—whatever that looked like—sounded safe. Safe was good. Safe wasn’t getting heartbroken; safe meant she could keep her options open.

  Even as she said the words in her head, she winced. It sounded fickle—disloyal—but it was the truth. Who wanted a broken heart? Not her. But she didn’t want to hurt Jasper either, and what if it didn’t work out?

  What if she accidently led him on?

  What if he didn’t like her after all?

  So much uncertainty, no wonder she was still single!

  She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, resting on the feather pillow and forcing her body to relax. It had been a long day, but the sun hadn’t set fully, and she felt like a kid going to bed when it was still light out.

  Even if it was getting close to nine thirty. The perks of living north meant more sunlight in fall. Kessed let her mind wander, thankful she was at least ready for bed, and before she knew it, her alarm sounded.

  Disoriented, she reached over and fumbled for her phone, growing more irritated by the moment when it wasn’t in its usual spot. Groaning, she reluctantly opened her eyes and patted around on the bed, searching. Her hand came in contact with the cool screen, and she switched the alarm off then froze.

  Alarm.

  Morning.

  How in the hell was it morning? She didn’t even remember going to bed. Her mind slowly clicked into gear even as she sunk back into the pillow. But oddly enough, she wasn’t overly tired.

  Benefits of going to bed embarrassingly early.

  Soon she was finished up readying for the day and padded to the kitchen for coffee. Cows. Today they dealt with the cows.

  Joy.

  After pouring a bowl of cereal, she waited for the inevitable knock on the door signaling Jasper’s arrival. But this time, she was anticipating it more. After talking with Laken, her perspective had altered. It had colored everything differently, and as such, had Kessed a bit on edge.
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br />   “Hello?” Jasper’s voice called, and Kessed jumped, missing the sound of his pickup due to her deep thoughts.

  “In here!” she called out, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear. Damn, it is irritating to care all of a sudden.

  “Morning,” Jasper mumbled softly, nodding once and turning to the coffeemaker, as was their usual routine.

  “Sleep well?” Kessed asked, hiding behind her mug.

  Jasper shrugged. “Yup.”

  “A man of few words,” she teased, feeling a bit more at ease.

  “You should try it. Especially in the morning,” he shot back, arching a dark brow challengingly.

  “Someone needs coffee.”

  “Someone needs to talk less in the morning. Silence is golden.” He whispered the last words as if to emphasize his point.

  “What?” Kessed asked with more volume than was necessary, just to piss him off.

  So much for caring. Again, probably why I am still single. Aw, to hell with it. She inwardly sighed.

  Jasper winced, set his coffee cup down, and strode over to where she sat, grinning. Her cheerfulness faded as he reached forward and placed his warm palm over her mouth then grinned. “Much better.”

  Kessed licked his hand, just to spite him.

  “Not going to work.” He sighed as if unimpressed by her attempt.

  So Kessed tried to bite.

  “Easy now.” Jasper chuckled and removed his hand then patted her on the head.

  “Not your pet,” Kessed grumbled.

  Jasper lifted his mug in salute. “No comment.”

  “Why do I feel like I’ve been insulted?” Kessed asked, lifting her mug again to sip her black coffee.

  Jasper shrugged, took the final swig of his coffee, and set the cup down. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be. When are the cows getting here anyway?” Kessed asked, standing.

  Jasper chuckled. “So, technically, they are cows, but cow usually implies it’s a female. These are steers. Gelded bulls. Just saying.”

  “Whatever. Boy cows.”

  “Steers.”

  “Steers. When are the steers getting here?”

  Jasper wiped his hand down his face. His lips pursed as if restraining his amusement. “This morning around ten. So, let’s get to the feed store, get some of those salt licks, arrange for grain to be delivered, and we’re good to go.”

  “Lead the way.” Kessed held out her hand toward the door.

  It didn’t take much time to pick up the salt licks and arrange for the grain delivery, and they’d made it back home long before necessary.

  Jasper drove around the ranch, pausing in each pasture segment and setting a large cube of salt and minerals in the dirt.

  The sky had started to take on a dark gray color as the wind picked up, and clouds converged around Rattlesnake Ridge. Being built on a semi-arid desert, Ellensburg didn’t get much rain, but with all the hills around, when there was precipitation, it was almost guaranteed to be a gully-washer, and flash floods ran rampant.

  As they drove back, Jasper put the truck in park. “Damn it.”

  “What?” Kessed turned to look where his gaze was focused.

  “Wind must have shut the gate. Maybe I didn’t lock it?” He tilted his head slightly then glanced around. There were several gates closed.

  “We gotta get those open.” Jasper moved to get out of the pickup but paused as he glanced in the rearview mirror. “Later apparently.”

  He nodded to the back, and Kessed turned. By the ranch house, a cloud of dust filtered through the air, signaling the arrival of the bull wagons, as Jasper had called them.

  “Well, first things first?” Kessed said by way of a reply.

  “Let’s get those steers taken care of.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Jasper studied the two trailers as they drew closer to the ranch. Disgusted with himself, he knew that the gates had closed because he’d been distracted yesterday, thinking about Kessed and not paying adequate attention to securing them against the fence.

  Kessed waited next to him, a constant distraction of the best and worst variety. Her hair wasn’t in its messy bun but braided down her back in a long, espresso-colored plait. Little strands of hair framed her face and teased the surely soft skin of her cheek as the breeze whirled around them. Impending rain scented the air and, based on the clouds, a fall thunderstorm was fixing to start up soon.

  Jogging to the barn, he quickly whistled to Margaret, knowing she’d perk up at the sound. Sure enough, the mare’s ears were facing front, her brown eyes alert and eager.

  “You want to round up some cattle today, huh, girl?” Jasper asked as he strode purposefully toward the tack room. In short work, he had Margaret saddled, bridled, and chomping at her bit, ready to go. In one smooth motion, he swung up into the saddle and encouraged her to head toward the sound of semitrucks crushing gravel beneath their heavy tires.

  Of their own volition, his eyes searched out Kessed, watching as she pushed her braid behind her back and met his gaze, arching a brow as if impressed.

  He could only wish.

  Though, as he moved Margaret toward the main gate, he had to admit that there was a subtle change in Kessed, but what exactly, he couldn’t put his finger on.

  She blushed slightly and turned away, not meeting his gaze when he turned his back to regard her.

  Margaret stomped impatiently, and Jasper patted her neck, crooning softly.

  When the trucks came to a stop, he rode around toward Kessed. “Can you open the gates full wide?” He motioned to the metal doors.

  “Yup.” Kessed gave a salute and strode off.

  Jasper rode toward the cab of the first truck then waited for the driver to step down.

  “You Cyler?” The gray-bearded man asked, his baseball cap shielding his face from the sun.

  “Nope, but I’m his ranch hand. Need me to sign?” Jasper reached out and took the clipboard from the man before signing his name.

  “That gate?” the driver asked, nodding in Kessed’s direction.

  “Yup.”

  “I’ll let Mark know.” He gestured to the other truck and walked away.

  Margaret sniffed the air, her ears perked toward the bull wagon, the scent of cow manure and sweat permeating the air around them. He clicked his tongue twice and gently kicked the mare’s flanks, and she immediately obeyed, walking forward toward the back of the trailer.

  “You want me to turn around and back up?” the driver asked, striding toward Jasper.

  “There’s plenty of room to turn, so that might be easiest.” Jasper glanced around the wide expanse of gravel between the barn and house. With only one horse, it would be much easier to herd the cattle into the pasture if it were much closer.

  “Give me five minutes,” the driver answered then hopped into the cab. He put the semi into gear.

  Soon the trailers were beeping as the first one backed up to the gate. After stopping, the driver walked around to Jasper.

  “You ready?”

  Jasper glanced at Kessed. “Climb up on the fence, so you’re not in the way in case they get a little wild.” He’d noted that the steers were restlessly pawing at the trailer’s floor, the metal sound ominous. Surely, they sensed the storm brewing as well.

  As soon as Kessed was out of the way, he nodded to the driver. “Let’s go.”

  The driver unhinged the back of the gate, and like a flood, the cattle piled out. Margaret whinnied at the rush, and Jasper moved to the side, flanking the trailer, keeping the cows moving toward the targeted opening. Once in a while, a steer would straggle, and he’d have to whip Margaret around to keep the line moving, but all in all, it was a painless process. As the cattle filtered through the gate, they dispersed, some sniffing a salt lick, others migrating toward the open field, thei
r noses taking them in the direction of water.

  The first truck pulled away, and the second pulled into its place. Much like the first time, the cattle eagerly exited the trailer and weren’t unnecessarily stubborn about entering the gate. Margret was quick to respond to any outliers and arched her neck high, clearly enjoying the movement and excitement.

  After the second truck finished, they drove off without a backward glance, probably on their way to the next load.

  Jasper rode over to where Kessed sat on the fence, looking more natural at the country scene than he’d have expected a few days ago. “Easy.” He shrugged, downplaying it a bit.

  “Just another day in paradise,” Kessed asserted, grinning. “What now, cowboy?” Her gaze took in Margaret, her eyes softening as she reached out and petted her velvet muzzle.

  “Now we go and secure those damn gates and get out of the rain,” Jasper answered.

  Kessed glanced up, frowning. “What rain?”

  As if nature decided to answer, a fat raindrop landed on her upturned cheek.

  “That rain,” Jasper teased, earning a glare.

  “Fantastic,” Kessed remarked dryly.

  “I’ll put Margaret away, and then we’ll take the pickup. It will be faster. Give me a few minutes.” Jasper didn’t wait for Kessed’s response but turned the horse around toward the barn. After taking off her saddle and bridle, he did a quick curry of her coat and tossed a few molasses oats in a bucket. Margaret’s appreciative sniff was all the thanks he received. He jogged across the gravel as the rain starting to come down in earnest. He slid into the truck where Kessed waited, her hair slightly damp from the onslaught.

  “Let’s get this over with.” Jasper put the truck in gear and headed down the road. Thankfully, there were probably only a few gates closed, but that didn’t mean he’d escape getting soaked to the bone. He only hoped the heavens waited to completely open till he was finished.

  As he pulled up beside the first gate, the sky let loose and poured down rain like an open firehose. “Well, damn,” Jasper muttered, his windshield wipers failing to keep up with the onslaught.

  “Have fun with that,” Kessed teased.

  Jasper sighed then reached behind the cab, pulling out his Stetson hat.