Rocked & Romanced, page 27
"Well, when you have fourteen just between the siblings, their spouses, and kids, then you add in-laws, yeah it grows fast. It was overwhelming at first, but you get used to it. It's a lot of people who have your back when you need it. But when they get together to get something done, it gets finished fast. I wouldn't trade them for anything."
"I wish I had a group of people outside of you, Mom, and Dad that I trusted like that."
It's so hard to know who to trust on tour. So many people want to dig their claws in and ride the train to fame, or even get their fifteen minutes in. It's easier to just keep everyone out.
"You can have it too, Savannah. You’re my sister, so that means they have your back. They will do anything for you, too. We'd love you to settle here, even just between tours."
"I wish. When I'm not touring, I'm recording music, and I have to be in Nashville."
"I know. This is just my way of saying I miss you and wish you were around more."
"I miss you, too. I really do love it here and wish I could spend more time here, but unless it's forced like this, I'm just not sure how."
Chapter 4
Ford
Even though my mom finally convinced my dad to retire from the ranch and hand it over to me, he still can't fully let go. That's why every Friday, he calls for an update on the ranch.
I don't mind, as it allows me to catch up with them, and I know he's always there to talk things over. Though this week, I'm not sure what he will say about the stallion I got from Mike. I still haven't given the horse a name and know I need, too.
It's always been the lady of the ranch, who names the new horses, and since I'm not married, the lady of the ranch is still my mother. So, I take a photo of Stallion, while he's out in the pen, and then send it to my parents.
Me: This guy is new and needs a name.
Dad: Can't wait to hear all about him. Will talk with you soon.
Mom: His coat is whiskey colored, so I think his name should be Whiskey.
Me: Whiskey it is. He was abused, so he needs a lot of extra love.
Mom: You will do great with him.
I keep watching Whiskey, as he moves around the pen and then stops to look at me.
"Well, Whiskey, it looks like you like it here. I’ll give you the weekend to get acclimated to your new surroundings, but Monday morning, we start getting to know each other."
He nods his head and snorts like he understands everything I said. Who knows, maybe he does? I hope to gain his trust, but I want him to trust people in general again, too.
I also need to see how he does with other horses, because if he’s going to be used as a stud horse, then he needs to be good around them. He has a long road ahead of him, but I think he's up for the challenge.
Heading into the house to my office, I get ready for my dad's weekly call. I pull up the books on the computer that my sister set up. Though I know my dad was hesitant about switching his way of doing things, but now appreciates it, because he can watch how things are going from wherever they are.
As I'm going through my emails, the phone rings, and I don't even check the caller ID.
"Hey, Dad."
"Wrong person, unless you know something I don't." My friend, Brice, chuckles.
"Sorry, just expecting my dad's weekly call any time now."
"I figured, but I wanted to see if you have dinner plans. I was thinking of picking something up at WJ's and bringing it over. It's been a while since we hung out. We have both been busy."
"Yeah, that's fine. You know what I like."
"Okay, see you in a few hours." He says and hangs up.
Brice is the town doctor, and we've been friends for a long time. While my mom home schooled me and my sister here on the ranch, she made sure we had friends.
My mom is friends with Brice's mom, so they were always over here having lunch on the weekends, and Brice and I would hang out in the barn or go riding with my dad.
Now, he's the town doctor and just as busy as any rancher. He also owns a small plot of land with a few animals as well.
When the phone rings this time, I check the caller ID, and sure enough, it's my dad.
"Hey, Dad," I answer.
"Son, let's talk about Whiskey."
I knew that was going to be the first thing he wanted to hear about because my mom is sitting right there and will be asking.
So, I go on and tell them about how he came to be at Mike's ranch, how Mike called, the price we landed on for him, and how I think I can work with him. We talk about his first few days here at the ranch, too.
“If you can earn his trust, he sounds like a solid horse," Dad says.
"I think so, too. There was something in his eyes. It reminded me of Phantom when we first got him."
Phantom is my horse and has been since we got him just before I turned sixteen. He was being sent to a slaughterhouse and had been abused and neglected for a while before my dad rescued him.
It took us a while to earn his trust, but he took to me first, and my dad said it was a sign he was meant to be mine. I worked with him all summer, and my mom gave me a break on schoolwork, saying learning to build trust in a horse is a lesson that will serve me for years to come.
I didn't understand it then, but I know now. Earning a horse’s trust is a lot like earning a person's trust. You have to work at it and actually warrant it.
"Well, if that's the case, you know what to do, and how to gain his trust. What do you plan to do with him, once you do?" Dad asks.
"Well, if he's okay around other horses, I'd like to look at using him as a stud. He won't get much money, but I think he’ll do okay. I know a few young guys here who are itching to get on the rodeo circuit, so I might see if we can up his value with some buckles, and then get one of them to ride him."
"Don't get any ideas of trying to enter him into some shows yourself to up his value!" Mom yells from the background.
"I never had any interest in rodeo, and I don't plan to start now. If anything, I’ll find someone to ride him." I assure her, but I know she will still worry.
"What’s going on in town?" Mom asks, wanting to stay current on town gossip.
I hesitate a moment. I would normally tell Mom and Dad that Lilly's sister is in town and that we had lunch together when I picked up Whiskey. But I know Savannah is trying to keep a low profile and the fewer people who know she’s here the better.
Plus, my mom is good at picking up, when there’s something more between me and a woman, and the fact that I haven't stopped thinking about Savannah would be something my mom would harp on.
I don't need to give her any more ammo than she already has. She's as bad as Lilly is with trying to set me up with someone. I know it's because she wants me to be as happy as she and dad are, but it doesn't help.
"I'm not sure, really. I was only off the ranch to pick up Whiskey at Mike and Lilly's this week. Brice is coming over for dinner, so he will know what I missed." I tell her.
"Well, you be sure to call me, if there’s anything good. I don't want to be too far out of the loop when I talk to the ladies on Sunday."
The ladies are the church ladies and otherwise known as the town gossips. They know your business, talk and debate your business, and tell you about their opinions on it. They meet every Sunday at church, but also at the beauty shop, during the week.
They are also fiercely protective of people in town and don't take well to outsiders, so while they may know your business, they won't tell it to just anyone. At least, there’s that.
Mom hasn't been able to completely step away from all things Rock Springs, since her move. She still talks with the girls every Sunday to keep up on what’s going on.
We all talk some more about the ranch business, and how Lilly and Mike are doing, and plans for Whiskey, before we hang up. I’m able to finish going through my emails before Brice arrives.
"Ford?" He calls out.
Brice is one of those friends who doesn't knock now that I've taken over the ranch. He just walks right in and makes himself at home. So, when I come out of the office, he’s already setting up the food at the table.
WJ's is the local bar in town that also has the best food around. Nick, the chef, has won many awards and could easily work in some fancy Dallas restaurants, but he grew up here in Rock Springs, and this is where he wants to live.
So, Jason, who owns WJ's, brought him in as a partner, and then opened the restaurant side. The place has been booming ever since and has even been featured on a few TV shows.
"Hey, great timing! Just finished the call with my dad," I tell him.
"Please, tell me you have something stronger than beer," Brice says, as he finishes setting up dinner.
"That kind of a week?" I ask, as I head to the kitchen and get the whiskey.
"Yes, it seems every kid decided to get stitches this week. Outside of my practice in medical school, I've never done so many stitches." He slumps in the chair across from me, as I pour him a drink.
"We have had our fair share of stitches, too. I'm sure you remember how stupid we used to be. We'd jump off things we shouldn't and jump into piles of things we shouldn't," I chuckle.
"Yeah, but it's worse now with social media. They see other kids posting videos of doing something, so then they try to copy it, and of course, fail miserably at it. I miss the days when the most fun was running around hay bales in the field. Now, they’re doing all these stunts on tractors."
We take a few bites of food before he changes the subject.
"So, rumor is you got yourself a new horse?" I shake my head in disbelief about how he heard about it so fast.
Besides the beauty shop that Megan owns and the diner, Brice's office is the next place for town gossip. People talk as they’re being treated.
I go on to tell him about how I came to get to the horse from Mike, but once again, leaving out anything about Savannah. Though, I know as soon as Brice knows about Savannah, I will have a ton of questions to answer. Questions I'm not ready for.
"What did your mom name him?"
I hold up my glass.
"Whiskey." I chuckle, as Brice shakes his head.
"Whiskey and Phantom. Sounds like a stunt team."
"I hope they get along. I'm not sure what I’ll do if they don't."
"You are already attached to him, aren't you?" Brice asks and watches me, as I answer him.
"Yeah, there was something between us the day I saw him in Mike's barn. Like maybe he knew he could trust me. I plan to start working with him on Monday, so we will see."
"How are your parents doing?" He thankfully switches the subject.
"They’re good. My mom is hoping you have some town gossip since I haven't been in town this week."
"Let's see. Mrs. Willow and some of the older church ladies are planning a trip to Vegas. I guess they are all upset she got to go for Nick and Maggie's bachelor and bachelorette party earlier this year."
"Oh, yes. We all know about that. The one where Anna Mae and Royce came back married."
Royce is Maggie's brother and is now married to Anna Mae. Royce had been trying to get Anna Mae to go out with him for a year, before the trip. When they woke up married one night after a lot of drinking in Vegas, they were the town gossip for a long time.
Things worked out for them, though. They’re happily married and expecting their first kid.
"Oh, Anna Mae's brother, Jesse, moved to town a few weeks ago. He just got divorced, because his wife was cheating on him. He's staying with Anna Mae and Royce for the time being," Brice says.
"I knew that. He seems like a nice guy. We should get together with him sometime."
"I agree, though it might not be for a while. Anna Mae and Royce are having some work done on their house, getting it ready for the baby, and I guess there was some damage from the blizzard last year. They are heading out to Walker Lake, while the construction is being done."
Royce's other sister, Ella, married Jason, who owns WJ's. He’s also Blaze's older brother. Their family has a lake house in Walker Lake, Texas, which is several hours north from here; closer to Amarillo. So, I assume that's where they will be staying.
"Makes sense. It’s best Anna Mae isn't around the construction, while pregnant," I say.
"Yep," he agrees.
Then, he goes on to give me more gossip for my mom, regarding some of the other people in town. After some consideration, I decide I need to talk to someone.
"Okay, I'm going to tell you something, but this isn't something for the town gossip. You can't tell anyone."
"Of course, man. Friend code first, always." Brice says, sitting up straight in his seat.
I know I can trust him. He's one of my best friends and always has had my back. He doesn't spread gossip about those close to him, even if he will sit here and tell me what he's heard all week.
"When I went to Mike and Lilly's to check out Whiskey, Lilly's sister was there."
"Savannah? I thought she was on tour."
"Yeah, I'm not sure what happened, but she’s here for a while and doesn't want people to know."
"I don't blame her," Brice says, studying me.
It doesn’t take him long before he picks up on the real reason I need to talk to him.
"Something happen?" He asks.
"Not really. Lilly asked me to stay for lunch, which I did, and it was an obvious setup, but I don't know. She wasn't the rock star sister I pictured her. In fact, she was very down to earth. When I saw her in the barn, she was relaxed and calm, and Black Diamond took right to her."
"Ahhh, you like her?"
"I don't know. The girl that I had lunch with. Yeah, I like her, but I don't think that's the real her."
"You won't know unless you get to know her."
"I don't think that’s such a great idea."
I don't know if I'm telling him or myself that.
Either way, it really isn't a good idea.
Chapter 5
Savannah
Why did I agree to this? There’s a lot I will do for my sister, but I think I should have put my foot down on a blind date.
I know she wants me to be happy, and I'm sure she’s thinking this will take my mind off the tour and all that mess. I know her intentions are good, but as I walk into WJ's, I have this sudden urge to run.
Though, I don't mean just run out of WJ's but run across state lines kind of run. The only thing stopping me is thinking about the conversation I’d have with Lilly later.
Walking in, I take a look around WJ's. It hasn't changed much. Still the country bar you'd expect, but bigger now that they added more dining. There’s a dance floor and a small stage where they have live music. What catches my eye, is the wall made of reclaimed barn wood and brands from the local ranches all burned into the wood.
The bar itself is pretty large and is the focal point of the place. Above the bar is an American flag made of beer cans. Jason is behind the bar tonight with a guy I don't know, but it makes me relax, seeing a friendly face.
When Jason sees me, he waves, and I wave back. Then, a cowboy at the counter turns to look at me. It's Ford.
My heart starts racing that he's here, and he looks so damn good in those wranglers, button-down shirts, cowboy hat, and boots. I haven't been able to stop thinking about him, since our lunch with Lilly and Mike.
Maybe, that's why I agreed to this date to try to get him out of my head. I look around for my date, who’s a ranch hand at another ranch in town.
"Savannah?" A cowboy approaches me.
I give him a friendly smile. "Yes?"
"I'm Dennis." He says with a smile.
Ah, my date. I look him over, and he isn't too bad looking. Not really my normal type. A bit too skinny, like he hasn't been working on the ranch long, or he doesn't do much manual labor. But he's tan, and he’s in wranglers and boots.
"Nice to meet you." I smile at him and let him lead me to a table, even though I'm not a fan of his hand on my lower back.
Ford seems to watch us the whole time, and I can feel his eyes on me. I sit facing the bar and give a quick lookup to confirm Ford is indeed turned in his chair to watch the rest of the room.
Dennis sits with his back to the bar across from me. Then, he says the one sentence that lets me know from the start this isn't going to work.
"Wow, you are beautiful. I've never been on a date with someone famous before." He runs his eyes over me again in a creepier way.
Trying not to cringe, but I fail because I don't like his eyes on me. Since I never know what to say to that comment, I just smile.
"I haven't been here in a while. Has Nick added anything new to the menu?" I ask.
"Who's Nick?" He says, looking confused.
"The chef here," I tell him and wonder how long this guy has been in town if he has no idea who Nick is.
"Nah, a place like this doesn't have a fancy chef. We are in the boonies, sweetheart," he chuckles.
I turn the menu to the back, where Nick's profile is, along with the awards and competitions he's won, and the TV shows WJ's has been featured in. Then, I set it on the table and tap my finger on it.
He looks at me and shock crosses his face.
"So, how long are you in town for?" I ask.
"I started at the ranch about a month ago."
"Is that when you came to town?" I ask since he conveniently avoided my question.
"Yeah, something like that."
Okay, mister shady. I shake my head and glace up, finding Ford still watching me. His face has no emotion on it, but it's clear his eyes are on me. I try to offer a friendly smile, but I get nothing back.
Dennis looks back behind him at the bar.
"See someone you know?" He asks.
"It's a small town, and I know quite a few people here. Jason, who owns part of the bar, is serving drinks. He's the brother of my sister's best friend’s husband. At the bar, is my brother-in-law’s best friend. Jason's sister, Megan, and her husband, Hunter, are on the dance floor, and then Brice, the town doctor, is at the table over there with a few other ranchers."
