Ranch Daddy

That afternoon we were moving a group of cattle to another pasture so we could replace some fencing. I’d warned Riley to stay focused, but he’d gotten distracted by one of our cattle dogs. They were fun to watch as they did their job, but they weren’t there for his entertainment. Some cattle had escaped and led us on a hell of a chase. I sent Riley on with the rest of the herd, putting Angelo, my most experienced hand in charge, and took Vic with me to chase down the stray cattle. I needed to work with someone level-headed for a change.

By the time we got back to the barn, I was pissed as hell. When I saw Riley smiling and laughing with Casey, the youngest of the hands, as they splashed water on each other when they should have been washing up, my temper boiled over. “What the hell were you thinking out there?”

Riley tensed. When he turned to face me, I saw fury in his eyes. “I’m new at this, okay? I was never allowed to help with the cattle when I was a kid.”

That’s a good thing if this is how you’re going to react. I managed not to say that out loud. I was not going to treat him like his dad did, no matter how angry I was.

“This didn’t happen because you’re learning. It happened because you let yourself get distracted. You knew what to do, you just didn’t do it.” I glanced at the time. “And now I’m late for my weekly planning meeting with your dad.”

I caught the flash of fear in Riley’s eyes, though he covered it quickly. Was he wondering if I was going to say something about his screw up? “I guess you better get going then.” Riley threw down the towel he’d been holding and strutted toward the door. “I’m out of here.”

Several of the hands sucked in their breaths. They knew better than to talk to me like that. “Turn around, Riley.”

At first, he didn’t stop. “Riley.”

His back rose and fell like he’d taken a big breath, then he turned to face me. “Yes?”

“Apologize for your attitude.”

He glared at me. “I’m not a fucking kid.”

You’re sure as shit acting like one. “That’s right. You’re an adult who takes responsibility for his actions and knows how to speak respectfully to others.”

He kicked at the dusty floor, but his defiant posture softened. “Fine. I’m sorry. I should have paid attention.”

I could have called him on the things he’d said to me, but getting him to apologize without a fight was enough of a victory. It showed my men I wasn’t going to take shit from Riley just because he was the boss’s son. It also showed Riley I cared enough to make him follow my rules, unlike his dad who just let things go until it embarrassed him publicly or affected him financially.

“That’s better. You can go now. I’ll see you at the usual time tomorrow.”

Mr. Lawson had taken a phone meeting since I was late, so he told me to come back after dinner. When I entered the main house later that evening, I heard Lawson’s raised voice from down the hall, but he stopped speaking before I could make out his words. The office door was halfway open, so I entered. Riley was there, standing in front of his father’s desk like a boy called before the principal. His shoulders were rigid with tension. Fuck. What had I walked in on?

Riley glanced my way briefly, then looked back toward his feet.

“I understand some cattle had to be chased down,” Lawson said. “And that’s why you were late for our meeting,”

“That’s right, sir.”

“Whose fault was that? My son’s? I could have guessed this kind of thing would happen if he was given real responsibilities.”

Riley was standing right there, but his father didn’t even look at him. I clenched my fists at my sides.

“It wasn’t anyone’s fault, sir. Sometimes a few get away.”

“Not if they’re being watched carefully.” Had someone told him what had happened? Had Riley confessed because he thought I would tell his dad eventually? “When I asked you to put my son to work, I expected you to start with small jobs. Having him responsible for keeping the herd together—”

“He wasn’t. He was shadowing someone else.” That wasn’t true, and Riley knew it. I felt him look at me, but I kept my gaze locked with his father’s.

“Hmmpf. Well, just keep an eye on him yourself next time.” I couldn’t do that if I was going to lead the drive, as Lawson would know if he regularly did the work he expected his son to do.

“Dad, I can—”

He glared at Riley. “I don’t need your input. You obviously don’t know how to manage yourself, or you wouldn’t be here. I know I’m asking Blake to perform a miracle, but it’s my last hope. I’ve got to do something with you.”