Carl grinned. “Why you saying it like that? Sure, you didn’t grow up on a ranch, but you worked it plenty during the summers, and you’ve taken to it now. Nothing like working with animals o
n your own land. It’s what men have been doing ever since the time of the Bible, bro.” He spared me a glance. “Has it helped?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your nightmares.”
I nodded slowly. “It has, actually. I’ve had a couple, but in Texas, I was having them almost every night.”
“There you go, then. You were meant to be a rancher.”
“Let’s do it.”
“What?” He blinked, apparently surprised by my sudden agreement. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. On Monday, let’s go to the bank and get everything set up. I’m sure the McMillians aren’t gonna turn down a cash-only offer. I can’t think of a better way to use that settlement money.”
Carl was right. I did like working the ranch, and my heart and soul felt at peace. Even if I didn’t have a daughter in town, it’d make sense to stay. It was time to make a choice, so I made it.
“Hot damn, bro. We’re gonna be partners. Yes!”
* * *
A few hours later, I was standing in front of the cabin, taking in my new extended cab Ford F150. There was plenty of room in the back of a cab for a car seat.
Well, it was more used than new. About 50,000 miles on it. I could have afforded a brand new truck, but this one was in good shape, so I decided to save some money, and I got a good deal.
Besides, I was about to blow a lot more on the McMillian property on Monday. I had a lot of savings from both work and the settlement, but that didn’t mean money was no object.
Even though I was confident Carl and I could do a good job at expanding the ranching business, it still was a tough industry, and a tough summer or disease could cut into profits. I wanted to make sure I had some savings for the future.
The setting sun painted the sky as I thought over the events of that Saturday. It’d been a busy day between checking out the properties and getting the car.
I took a few breaths and slowly let them out. The truck I could drive out of town, but once Monday rolled around and I helped buy that property, that would seal it. I’d be back in Livingston permanently.
My stomach rumbled. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Aspyn had never called or texted me about my idea of going out to dinner, so it was time to head into the cabin and eat alone.
Things were moving along now. I just hoped it was for the best.
Chapter 19
Aspyn
Monday night, I gave Kadie a big kiss as she hugged me.
“You be good for Nana, okay, sweetie?”
She bobbed her head up and down. “I will, Mama.”
“And you play nice with Julie, okay?”
“I will, Mama.”
I gave her one more tight squeeze before standing and waving at my mama. I needed to get out of there, or I’d be hugging my daughter all night.
I turned, and Mama closed the door behind me.
A woman from our church was having surgery. Her husband wanted to stay in the county hospital with her and asked Mama to watch her daughter. She thought it’d be a good idea for the little girl to have someone to play with to keep her mind off the fact her parents were in the hospital.