by Bellus, HJ
“Hank’s full of cow poop.”
“That’s what I told him.” Her toothy grin reflects back at me.
“He listens to his dad too much,” I reassure her.
“Daddy.” I stop walking and turn my face to hers.
“Yes, baby.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Miss Ava Ann Slatter.”
Her little arms wrap tightly around my neck as I make my way to the headstone.
“Daddy.”
“Yes,” I answer. Ava and her new twenty-questions game is nothing new and the most entertaining part of my day. I’ll admit, it can be a bit annoying the days she’s working with me on the ranch.
“When can I start wearing makeup?”
“When you’re thirty.”
“A girl in my class snuck her momma’s lipstick and wore it to school.”
“I don’t care. Miss Ava, you’re too darn pretty for that shit.”
“Daddy, you just said shit.”
“I did.”
The bright silver cross she wears every single day lays perfectly on her little shirt. It’s the only piece of jewelry she’s faithful to. She’s all cowgirl.
And if I thought the life of a cowboy was rough, I had no idea what being a dad to a little four-year-old girl would do to me. She keeps me on my toes, has me picking out her pink or purple outfits for preschool, and even painting her toes. And it’s at these times I’m the happiest in life.
“I love my new horse. Can we ride when we get home?”
“We sure can, princess.”
“Daddy, that was the bestest birthday present any girl could ask for.”
“I’m glad you love your Lollipop. She’ll be your best friend growing up.”
Challis already has Ava walking the barrels and tossing a rope. The girl is going to be a force to be reckoned with.
I tuck her head down on my shoulder to protect her sweet face from the drizzling rain. Running my hands through her shiny brown hair always soothes my soul from the inside out. Her delicate little scent, the touch of her tiny hand, or her giggle always warms my heart. She’s my life and little miracle bug.
The headstone we came to visit finally comes into view. The weather is shitty, but it’s something that I never, ever miss. My phone rings in my pocket; the name sprawling across the screen makes me smile like a fool. I hand it over to my little secretary and watch her slide her finger across the screen and answer it as I set her on her feet.
“Hi, Mommy.” Her face lights up, and I guess I was wrong—this is when I’m happiest.
“Um, Daddy bought me ice cream and it was two scoops before dinner.”
“Hey.” I warn her, tilting my cowboy hat to the side.
She continues to ramble on to her mother, and I’ve never let a day pass by where my knees don’t hit the ground and I thank God for my two miracles. Ava and Clover. I’ve loved Clover like a madman every single day since I went to her bedside that day in the hospital. She’s my absolute everything.
Ava continues to talk to her mother as I kneel down in front of the headstone with Silver Star’s Ranch brand centered on the top. Directly below is my favorite picture of Granddad encased in a thick glass. “Buried with his boots, hat, and pride.” It’s not a quote we would’ve picked out for him, but it’s the one he insisted on.
My life’s been a bitch with lots and lots of pain mixed into it. But the day Granddad took his last breath with all of his boys surrounding him was downright cruel, leaving us all hollow for a long time. My eyes water up just like they do every time I visit him here.
“Here, Daddy. Mommy said you’re in trouble,” she sings out in a sing-songy voice, handing my phone back to me.
“You little rat.” I pull her into me, settling her right in front of me as we both study the headstone.
“I’m sorry this makes you sad, Daddy.” She wipes a stray tear from my cheek with her finger.
“I’m proud. I’m very proud, sweet Ava. I’m proud to be a Slatter, proud to be your dad, and proud to teach you the ways of Silver Star.”
“We’re here to brand a legacy, Daddy.” Her tender little hand covers the top of mine.
I look up to the sky and know beyond a doubt Granddad is here with us walking by our sides.
“Now it’s story time. What story are you telling me today?” She angles her head just enough to place a kiss on my cheek.
“I’ll tell you about the time Granddad gave me my first horse.”
THE END
Where the Slatters are now…
Maverik’s days are filled with giggles and mischief from Hazel and Hank. There’s lots of yelling, hugs, and kisses. Maverik works on the ranch day in and day out with Marvel. And even though Ella fought the idea the whole way, lil’ Mav is riding bucking horses and currently leading the pack his freshman year of high school. Ella gave up the hopes of getting a job contributing to the family and finally realized raising her four kids, Maverik included, was job enough for her.
Maverik’s favorite time of the day is still staring down at his name on his wife’s ribs before he sends up his silent prayers of thanks to the man upstairs.
Merek’s back out on the road with his little family. Challis and Merek have their hands full with a little cowgirl of their own. Paisley is the perfect combination of her mother and father. She’s feisty, determined, and quick-witted. God, bless their souls.
Merek’s never been happier after winning his last world title a few years back and is now on the road with Challis. He hasn’t been on a bucking horse in over a year because he’s been too busy helping Challis chase her dream. That’s right, she’s back to running barrels and kicking ass, and is set to go to the National Final Rodeo in Las Vegas in December with all of the Slatters there cheering her on.
There’s no other place Merek would rather be than beside his wife helping her saddle her horse and chasing Paisley around in the dirt behind the scenes at a rodeo. His heart is full, gold buckle case filled to the brim…life is good.
Merek never misses a chance to slap his wife on the ass or grope her publicly. Some things really never change.
Thriving on the ranch each day never letting his praying knees get lazy. Marvel wakes up to Ava snuggled between him and Clover and places a kiss on each of their foreheads before he gets up for the day. Clover is an amazing mother, taking her nurturing to all new levels at times. Marvel knows it stems from her shitty-ass mother and just sits back and smiles watching his wife love her daughter likes she’s a little goddess.
Ava, Hazel, and Hank reign hell on the ranch with several forts tucked away in the corners. Each of them has horses and go for long rides out in the pasture. Ava loves her aunt Challis when she’s home and can’t wait to run barrels like she does.
Clover’s content staying home and helping on the ranch. Her love for horses has deepened and grown over the years. Training colts has become one of her favorite hobbies. She also visits the nursing home twice a week. Clover came to the conclusion that she may have saved Marvel, but it was Granddad who saved her. She misses nursing and visiting with the patients so the nursing home volunteer work fills the void perfectly.
And every Tuesday, Marvel drives his daughter and wife to Ava’s dance lessons in that damn yellow VW bug with a shit eating grin on his face.
Author’s Note About Granddad:
Life is a funny creature. We live and we die. Blank slates laid before us to color a beautiful masterpiece. Marve Slatter aka Granddad did just that, creating a gorgeous canvas filled with love, respect, and honor. He fought for each day of his life toward the end, soaking up his boys’ happiness and his great grandkids that just kept coming. They won’t remember him or cherish memories in their hearts like Maverik, Merek, and Marvel do, but he left them the greatest gift. Silver Star. Granddad’s ranch will remain strong, drenched in honor and loyalty with generations of Slatter cowboys and cowgirls.
And he knew it would because…those boys of his were horny bu
ggers with determination.
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgements
As always, I have to tip my hat to my readers and friends who inspire me every single day to keep writing. Without your support these characters would never be born. This collaboration turned out to be such an amazing project. I’d like to thank the Henslee family for opening up their farm and offering up their son to be the cover model. It was an amazing day with lots of laughter. Truly a blessed feeling to have such support and encouragement. Plus, Talyn nailed Marvel. Also, a huge shout-out to Jeni B who spent a day with us capturing perfect images for us. An amazing Idaho project!
Social Media Links
Website: www.hjbellus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHjBellus
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7079478.H_J_Bellus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HJBellus
Next Release From HJ Bellus
The Hunted
A Romantic Suspense with a twist
BRANDING A LEGACY PLAYLIST
Live Forever by Little Big Town is the song that was on repeat while I was writing Marvel’s story.
Live Forever- Little Big Town
Cowboy Take Me Away- Dixie Chicks
Change Your Mind- Nashville Cast
If I Drink This Beer- Nashville Cast
Black Roses- Nashville Cast
Church Pew or Bar Stool- Jason Aldean
Heartache That Don’t Stop Hurting- Jason Aldean
See You Again- Carrie Underwood
Wine After Whiskey- Carrie Underwood
Someone New- Hozier
Famous In A Small Town- Miranda Lambert
Little Miss- Sugarland
I Need My Girl- Blake Shelton
Miss That Girl- Jason Aldean
I’m Not the Only One- Sam Smith
Run Out of Honky Tonks- Justin Moore
Drinking Class- Lee Brice
Day Drinking- Little Big Town
I Never Told You- Colbie Calliat
Kick The Dust Up - Luke Bryan
Country Must Be Country Wide- Brantley Gilbert
My Kind of Crazy- Brantley Gilbert
Gonna- Blake Shelton
Strip It Down- Luke Bryan
Bathroom Sink- Miranda Lambert
Gonna Know We Were Here- Jason Aldean
Stone Cold Sober- Brantley Gilbert
Beautiful Drug- Zac Brown Band
Dibs- Kelsea Ballerini
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely- The Band Perry
Tennessee Whiskey- Chris Stapleton
Mr. Misunderstood- Eric Church
Faster Gun- Little Big Town
Run Away With You- Big & Rich
We Went- Randy Houser
