So, here we were, going over everything in the barn.

David cleared his throat. “One of the main things you always need to remember is to keep good records on everything from breeding, calving, culling, and weaning to your purchase and sales. Everything needs to be recorded, and you need to do it the day of. Don’t think that you’ll write it down the next day because I guarantee that you’ll forget.”

I nodded my head. “Yes, sir. My father showed me all of that about a year ago. I was in charge of keeping records of all the feed, hay, and fencing supplies.”

David smiled and shook his head. “Damn. Your father was already getting you ready to take over the ranch, wasn’t he? He was one smart man.”

I smiled weakly. “Yes, sir, he was.”

“What do you think would be the next important thing you need to concentrate on?”

I didn’t have to think long on this one. “Fences. Broken fences mean lost cattle, and that means lost money.”

David’s smile spread across his face like he was the proudest man in the world.

Billy started laughing. “Now, you are talking like my dad here talks.”

We all laughed.

David slapped me on the back. “Next?”

“Machinery needs to be checked daily in order to make sure everything is running. If something isn’t running, then it means loss of work time, which equals loss of money.”

“Your father did a good job, Garrett. You’ll want to also manage your grazing and your feeding. With us being in this drought, I’m sure your daddy told you that you only feed during times of need. Most of the time, the cattle are fine with hay.”

I nodded my head. I glanced back at the house when I heard a car pulling up. Emma.

Dr. and Mrs. Birk had been by a few times to check on us, and each time, Emma had come. I’d seen her the first two times, and every time since then, I’d taken off on my horse and just vanished. I couldn’t bear the idea of seeing her and having to tell her that I wasn’t going to college, so I had no real future to offer her. She probably wanted to move to a big city, like Austin, and live in a big house with lots of babies. I couldn’t give her that. I’d never be able to give her that.

“Keep up to date with vaccinations. That’s real important for healthy cattle.”

I nodded my head as I stepped back just enough to where I could see Emma, but she couldn’t see me.

“Also, be sure to fully prepare for calving season. Now, your daddy already has the breeding season managed and down.”

I glanced over toward Billy, and he looked at me. He had just jumped all over me this morning. He’d said Emma was worried sick about me and kept asking him if he had spoken with me. I hadn’t gone back to school yet, but that was all about to change. Mother had said she would stop eating if I didn’t get myself to school, so Monday would be my first day back.

“Always take care of your horses and stock dogs,” David said, snapping me out of my thoughts yet again.

“Yes, sir. Take care of the horses and dogs,” I said halfheartedly.

David followed my eyes to where I was looking, and he let out a laugh. “Garrett, you can’t keep avoiding her.”

I snapped my head over to Billy, and he just shrugged his shoulders. Never taking my eyes off of Billy, I said, “I’m not avoiding her. I just…I just don’t know what to say to her. I mean, she deserves more than what I can give her. I can’t give her anything.”

David grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me to face him. “Excuse me? You can’t give her anything? What about love? Respect? A beautiful home sitting on one of the most beautiful countrysides God has graced us with. So, you’re not going to college. I didn’t go to college, and your daddy didn’t go to college. Do you think your mother would have been happier if your father had a law degree?”

I swallowed hard. “No, sir, I don’t think she would have been.”

David looked back out and motioned with his head. “You’re not even going to give her a chance to decide for herself? Son, you don’t make decisions about a woman’s feelings—ever. You let her decide on her own. They are her feelings, and only she knows them.”

I turned back to David and smiled as I whispered, “That sounds like something my father would say.”

David’s eyes began to fill with tears. He quickly wiped at his eyes and then looked me square in the eyes. “No one will ever take the place of your daddy, but I want you to know that I’m here for you, Garrett. You’re like my own son. I’ll always be here for you.”

My heart began beating harder in my chest, and for the first time since I’d held my mother in my arms on that fateful day, I wanted to cry. I nodded my head and barely said, “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”

Billy stood up and walked up to us. He slapped us both on the back. “Well, hell, this is nice and all, but you better get your ass out there, Garrett, and show that girl how much you care about her.”

I stuck my hand out and shook Billy’s hand and then David’s.

Billy started laughing. “Now, maybe we can go on a double date—you and Emma with Marg and me.”

I let out a laugh and turned to make my way out of the barn. Everyone had gone into the house by this point. I walked up the stairs as I wiped my sweaty hands on my pants. I took a deep breath and opened the door. I walked into the living room, and Emma was standing at the window, looking out at the west pasture.

She slowly turned around and smiled when she saw me. It wasn’t the same smile I’d been getting from everyone else. It was different. Her eyes sparkled, and her face flushed.

“Your mama’s packing up a picnic. I thought maybe we could go for a ride, if you’re up to it,” Emma said as she tilted her head.

She gave me a look I’d never seen before. My dick jumped in my pants, and I had to shake my head to clear the thoughts I was having.

“That, um…that sounds, um…” Holy shit, what is wrong with me? I can’t even think clearly.

“Yesterday was my birthday. The least you can do is take me on a picnic, Mr. Mathews.”

My mother and Mrs. Birk came walking up behind me, and it was the first time in weeks I’d heard my mother laughing.

“Why, Garrett Mathews, you’re a mess. Run and clean up, and I’ll have Pete saddle up some horses for you and Emma Rose.”

I winked at Emma and turned to face my mother. “Yes, ma’am.”