Chapter Text
Staring at the thin blanket they’d stretched out above their cot, Tank inhaled deeply through their nose, shut their eyes and sighed heavily, trying yet again to will themselves to go back to sleep.
It was still at least two more hours before they had to get up, and with the long day that stretched out in front of them, they were going to need every minute of rest they could get. Just because their day started two hours early didn’t mean they’d get to end it two hours sooner. Only meant they’d be working more than they needed to.
Another heavy sigh came from them, this one irritated, and they sat up, swinging their legs over the edge of the cot and bracing their elbows on their knees. Rubbing roughly at their face.
“Fuck it.”
Scratching roughly at their head, they stood up, smacking the blanket hung over the cot like a makeshift awning to knock away any spiders that had landed on it. Unfortunate detail about living in the barn—you were sharing it with the arachnids. It had only taken having one land on their face once before the blanket was hung as a canopy shield.
Stumbling over to the sink in the corner of the small room, Tank splashed icy water on their face and shook their head a couple times. Brushing teeth and hair before getting changed and stepping out of the storage room they’d converted into their bedroom.
The barn was dead silent, aside from a shuffle of hooves or a gentle snort. Not surprising, since it was three in the morning.
Still waiting for the feeling of exhaustion to set into their body and convince them to go back to bed, Tank muttered softly when they remained entirely alert and awake. Guess it was going to be a long day.
Muttering in irritation about sleep cycles, they ducked back into their room to grab gloves off the desk and their hat off its hook, then walked down the length of the barn towards the tool room. Stopping to stroke any curious noses that poked out of the thirty stalls they walked past.
“Yeah, I know. Believe me,” they grumped as they leaned against one stall door and itched at a roan mare’s jaw. “I’d prefer to be asleep right now too.” Chuckling at the snort they got in response, Tank pressed a quick kiss against the horse’s cheek before continuing on.
Standing in the doorway of the tool room, another long, irritated sigh left them before loading everything they’d need into the black wheelbarrow and heading for the closest stall. At least getting the stalls done early meant they’d be able to shower sooner.
By the time another soul entered the barn at five am, which was when Tank’s day was supposed to have started, they were two thirds of the way done with mucking out the stalls. Grunting in response as Asher’s head popped into view from the stall door.
“Well, good morning to you, early riser! Someone’s been busy!”
“Not by choice,” Tank huffed as they dumped another scoop of soiled shavings into the wheelbarrow. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“So you chose to work instead of laying in bed daydreaming?”
“I don’t daydream, Ash. I overthink and stress. At least working keeps my head blissfully empty.”
“Fair enough.” Asher folded his arms and leaned them against the stall door, watching the horse Tank was working next to lip at the salt block attached to the wall. “We’re getting a new shipment in today.”
That had Tank pausing, setting the scoop aside and walking over to lean against the stall door as well, arms draped over it to hang limply, chin resting on their bicep.
“How many?”
“Six.”
“Fucking hell, Ash… there’s already two dozen horses here. That’s gonna have all our stalls full. How many more does David need?”
“It’s fine, we got the horse show coming up. Besides, David didn’t buy them.” That had Tank pausing before smirking, able to see the fond shine in Asher’s eyes, even in the dim light of the barn.
“They’re settling in well and making waves already, huh?”
“Shit, Tank… Hasn’t even been a week, and the plans they got for this place…” He sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck and smiling sheepishly.
“Hey. David put them in charge of finances. Means he trusts their instincts. And if your clever little Babe thinks that we needed half a dozen more fresh stock to work with, then we probably do.” The flush that formed on Asher’s cheeks at the nickname he’d given the newest hire had Tank smirking.
“I mean, David’s got that show lined up next week, and we’re hoping to move up to a dozen in it, so yeah, it makes sense that we wanna replenish what we lose,” Asher admitted, letting out a gentle huff.
“So… what’s got you pouting, then?” they asked. When Asher just scowled, Tank barked out a sharp laugh. “You’re not grumpy that they bought six more horses. You’re just mad they didn’t run the choices by you first, aren’t you?”
“Usually you run said choices by the foreman first,” he growled, picking at a knot in the stall door. “That’s literally my job, making sure this place runs smooth. Taking some of the weight off of David.”
“Did David sign off on the horses before they were bought?”
“Yeah…”
“So you’re grumpy that they went to him with their pick of new stock before they went to you.”
“You’re making me sound like a sulking teenager.”
“I mean, you’re kind of acting like one.”
“Keep it up and I’m putting you on breaking duty with Milo.”
“See, now you’re acting like a barn boss,” they said with a laugh, straightening and picking up the scoop again. “Whole point of David hiring them on to be in charge of finances was so you could focus on running the barn.”
“Picking the horses out is part of running the barn.”
“So you’d rather be on the phone and sitting in front of the computer for two hours, haggling prices on colts instead of down here working?”
“….fuck, I really am sulking, huh?”
“Knew you’d work it out if you pouted long enough.”
“Yep, you’re working with Milo today.”
“Wh—Oh, come on!”
“Nope, mind’s made up. You snark the boss, you get the repercussions.” Grinning widely at the dark scowl he was getting from them, he winked before standing straight and continuing on down the hall.
Tank sighed heavily, leaning their forehead onto the handle of the scoop and muttering quietly. Lifting their head to look at the bay mare that was now nosing at their jacket pocket, likely seeking out treats.
“…looks like I’m gonna be limping for the rest of the day. Knew I should have just stayed in bed.”
Finishing the stalls an hour sooner than usual meant they got into the showers before anyone else, and had the blissful chance to take their time. Enjoying the fact that no one else was around. They may have slept in the barn instead of the bunkhouse, but they still had to share the bunkhouse’s shower room.
Which was why it was nice to be the only one in it. Not having to listen to Milo and Christian arguing over who stole who’s soap, not having to worry about Miguel snapping towels at people, or Arden singing off key whatever song had gotten stuck in her head that day.
They were only half an hour ahead of schedule by the time they went up to the main house, and ended up sitting on the porch and staring at the brightening sky. Okay, so there were some benefits to getting up two hours early… didn’t mean they were going to make a habit of it.
The front door opening broke them out of their placid thoughts, and they stiffened as they heard boots on the porch, heading towards them.
The main house was for family only. The workhands came up for meals, and were welcome to hang out and socialize, certainly, but the only people who slept and lived there, the only people who would be up and about this early, was the Shaw family itself.
And there was only one Shaw family member left.
Didn’t matter how much Gabe and David had insisted otherwise. A letter and a plea from their mother after she’d gotten sick, banking on Gabe’s lingering love for his estranged sister giving them a place here, didn’t make Tank a Shaw. Being cousins on paper didn’t make them family in real life.
“Early start for you.” David’s voice sounded from behind them, and they turned their head just enough to see his jeans, and the worn boots they knew he’d gotten as a birthday gift a few years back.
“Lots to do, today,” they replied quietly, turning away again to stare at the clouds. “Asher said your newest employee bought up a bunch of horses. They trained at all, or are Milo and I gonna be busy for the next week?”
“Four of them are broke. There’s only two that need work. Why are you helping Milo? You get lippy with Ash again?”
“Fuck, he almost seemed giddy at the chance for the excuse to see me tossed in the dirt,” they grumbled, feeling their chest tighten as David laughed. A weak, quiet laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.
“Definitely have to bring my phone, then.”
“What about you? How swamped is your day?”
That earned a soft groan, and Tank felt their heart kick up as David walked down the steps in order to sit down next to them.
“You know, I was looking for a new finance person to make my workload a bit lighter,” he grumbled, staring up at the sky as well. “Keep me from being stuck in front of the computer, talking to idiots who are convinced they can charge me four times the price, just because they’re convinced I can afford it. And yeah, I’m off the phones now.”
He shook his head, letting out a flat laugh. “But in exchange, I’ve now got half a dozen new horses coming in, two new tractors to be dropped off and looked over, a new trailer that’ll be able to carry twice the bodies as usual, and a sit down meeting with a possible new business partner.”
“Fuck… didn’t they show up four days ago?”
“Yep.”
“How much money did they manage to bleed out of you with these deals?”
“That’s the thing. I’m only out just over half of what I expected, and if this business deal works out, that’ll end up being a profit in a year and a half.”
“Damn… guess your bookie’s earning their place.”
“Seems so. They said they were thrilled for the chance to work at the famous Lupinos Ranch. Guess they weren’t kidding.”
“Honestly, when I saw them get out of that fancy car, I thought they were lost. Looked more like a model stepping out of a magazine than a ranch hand,” Tank snarked, unable to keep from smiling when Davd laughed.
“Right? Thought so myself. Then they took in a deep breath, acting like it was the first clean breath they’d taken in their life, and I knew they’d be fine.”
“Asher called them Babe yesterday.”
“I heard. From him, as he was hiding in the food pantry.”
Tank couldn’t help laughing properly at that, and for a quick moment, things felt right between them. Normal, comfortable. Before everything had gone to shit.
Then the sound of footsteps on gravel sounded, and they both looked up to see Asher heading up the path from the bunk house, with Milo and the rest trailing a short ways behind him.
David hummed and stood, and it was like a bubble breaking. That cold wall he’d built up around him was back as he headed up the steps. “Breakfast should be ready,” he called as he headed inside the huge house.
Another sigh came from them, and they rubbed at the back of their neck as the rest of the ranch hands walked by, Asher patting their shoulder as he headed up the steps. Eventually standing and following the rest of them into the massive house, grateful to hear noise in it once more.
David watched everyone as they filed into the huge dining area of the kitchen and chose seats at the long table. Laughing and joking with each other as they filled up their plates with food. Relieved to have other people in the house.
The idea of inviting the workers to stay in the house along with him passed through his mind once more, but he shook his head slightly, hearing his father’s words again.
‘The house is for family. It’s where you take off the title of boss and give yourself a chance to be you. I agree, it’s important that the workers love and respect you. But you gotta make sure they understand that while they’re important, you’re still in charge. This is a safe place for them to come to if they need to talk or breathe. But it’s not their home. They don’t live here. It’s yours.’
He hadn’t understood what his father had meant when he first said that. It had sounded cruel in his mind. How could he expect them to know they were important to him if he wouldn’t let them stay in the big house? There was plenty of room. The bunk house was admittedly nice, good quality, with lots of room there too, but not to the level the main house had been.
Then his father had died. Leaving David in charge of everything.
Gabe had likely intended for David to have an entire family by the time he was in charge when he’d taught him that. Believing that David would have plenty of other people in the house with him, keeping the massive house from feeling so damn empty, that it would be years before David was expected to take over.
Life didn’t like following other people’s plans.
Suddenly faced with the mountain of responsibility his father had carried, he now understood the need for that line. Had stumbled over it in the beginning with a few of the workers that were no longer here.
David had tried to keep everyone close, to be his father but more. They were going to be a proper family, everyone would be equal.
Asher was still paying for that decision.
He watched his right hand man head to the seat directly beside him, still visibly limping. Big grin in place and an even bigger pile of food on his plate.
That grin wobbled when the newest member of the team sat down on the other side of David, directly across from Asher, and flashed him a sweet, charming smile. Causing Asher’s face to turn bright red and a giddy laugh to break from him, after which he immediately cleared his throat, now focused very intently on his food.
“So, the new horses should be here around noon, right?” Asher spoke up, doing his best to keep his voice calm. David watched his newest hire grin even wider before they nodded.
“Maybe a bit later, they’re coming in from Montana, so it’s a bit of a drive, but around that time, yes,” they replied.
“And the rest of the stuff you upended onto my lap?” David asked in a flat voice.
“Mm, the tractors should be here any minute, and the trailer will be here tomorrow. We’ve got that meeting with the school tomorrow as well.”
“What school?” Milo piped up as he sat down next to Asher.
“Riding school,” Asher answered, clearing his throat. “Our new friend here—”
“Oh, please, call me Babe.”
David watched Asher wheeze and choke, smacking his chest a couple times before clearing his throat and continuing.
“It was suggested we take on a partnership with a riding school in Dahlia, providing them with horses for their students. They need a variety, from freshly trained to so old they just plod in a circle. Ah… B-Babe managed to convince them to consider our horses.”
“Well, that’ll be a handy bit of income,” Milo agreed as he started digging in, tactfully deciding not to remark on the flustered energy radiating off of Asher. “Add that into the ones we sell at shows and we’ll have a nice profit come the end of the year.”
“That’s the plan,” Babe chimed in, winking at Asher and causing him to choke on the glass of orange juice he’d been drinking from. Milo reached over to whack his back a couple times without missing a beat or pausing in his eating.
“Oh, and I called Sam yesterday. He’ll be coming in today to dose the newest horses when they show up,” Babe added, to which David nodded.
“Good. Let’s see if we can get him to update the rest of the horses while he’s here. Save him a trip later on, since we’ve got that show in a week.”
“Have you decided who we’re taking in?” Asher asked, and David sighed heavily.
“Not yet… you and I will take a look today, see if we can nail down the choices.”
“You’re not taking Billie.”
The entire table fell silent, all eyes moving to stare at Tank, who was seated as far from David as they could manage. Their eyes were locked on their plate, sawing viciously at the pancake in front of them.
David frowned slightly, leaning back in his chair.
“Tank…”
“Don’t care, David. She’s too old. Only reason someone is going to want to buy her is for meat, or to let some snot-nosed kids torment her. She’s not going to the school either. She’s staying right here.”
“Tank, we’ve talked about this. These aren’t pets. We can’t keep them around just because we’re attached to them. Billie’s not able to work anymore.”
“So what? Now that she’s costing money instead of making it for you, you’re just gonna ship her off? Is that what we do when someone isn’t useful anymore?”
The room was deathly quiet now, no one brave enough to be the next to speak. David’s frown deepened, his brow furrowed as Tank finally met his gaze, returning the glare with just as much force.
They shoved their plate away and stood up, knowing they had crossed a line. “Please excuse me. Got a busy day,” they growled before storming off.
Rubbing at his temples and sighing heavily, David slumped back in his chair, relieved when the sound of clinking silverware and quiet conversation eventually filled the room.
At this rate, things would never become normal between him and Tank again. Something else he’d lost when he’d been given the mantle of head of the household.
Eventually meals were finished and people disappeared from the room to begin their respective jobs. Leaving him alone at the table with Asher, who was still bright red and mumbling under his breath.
“Can’t believe they said that in front of everyone.”
“You’re the one that called them Babe in the first place,” David pointed out, grinning faintly at his friend’s mortification and watching him slouch low in his chair.
“It just slipped out!”
“I still can’t believe you asked them out less than twelve hours after they started working here,” David scolded with a shake of his head as he finally started eating his own meal.
“What can I say, I’m a romantic.”
“No, you’re a moron. You saw them get out of their car, all class and charm with legs a mile long, pleading with us to know where the shower was, and instantly offered to escort them there.”
“Hey. I know how awful it feels to drive in a car for seven hours.”
“You’re lucky they didn’t consider you a creep and mace you before getting back in the car.”
“I wasn’t offering to join them, just show them where it was!”
“Well, either way. Behave and don’t mess this up. Finally got a decent financial brain around here and I don’t need your goofball brain messing that up.”
“Yes sir,” Asher said with a gentle laugh, quiet as he picked at his food before looking at David again. “Are we really gonna sell Billie?” That had another tired groan coming from him. Something he was doing a lot of lately.
“I don’t know, Ash… she can’t really do much except eat and walk slowly in a circle. That’s fine for a pet, but we need horses that bring income. That means rodeos, horse shows and sales. She’s not fit for competing, and she’s too old to be winning any awards.”
“Tank will never forgive you.” That had a sad look forming on David’s face, shaking his head a bit.
“…I gave up on that happening a long time ago.”
It was hard, leaving David sitting at the table alone, but Asher knew they both had a full day, and as much as he wanted to just sit around and hang out with his friend like they did in the old days, neither of them had the time for that.
Humming gently as he walked through the sprawling halls of the ranch house, the steady tapping of computer keys caught his ear and he paused in front of a partially open door. Grinning as he peered through the crack to see Babe settled at their desk. Brow cutely pinched as they stared at the laptop they were working on.
Easing the door open, he stepped in, leaning his shoulder on the door frame.
“You… are very mean,” he scolded, loving the way their eyes lit up as they spotted him, the way they grinned sweetly as they leaned back in their chair.
“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes you do, you bully,” he scolded, shutting the door and walking over to rest his hands on the desk, leaning forward. Spotting how their eyes dipped to where the worn shirt he had on gaped at the neck, offering a glimpse of his upper chest. “Teasing me like that in front of the workers, that was real mean.”
“I wasn’t teasing,” they corrected, pressing their hand to their chest in a dramatic gesture. “You’re the one that bestowed me with such an adorable nickname. And I like to feel I live up to it,” they added, flicking their hair over their shoulder.
“Oh, you absolutely do,” he assured, stepping around the desk to stand over them, each hand grabbing an arm of their chair so he had them penned in, grinning down at them. “But how are they supposed to take me seriously, when they’re picturing me crooning such a cute nickname to such an adorable person…?”
“Mm, that sounds like a You problem, not a Me problem,” was their response, and Asher inhaled sharply as he felt a well polished shoe slip up the inside length of his calf. Trailing up along his inner thigh.
“I’m happy to make it your problem,” he growled, leaning down closer until his forehead touched to theirs.
“That sounds plenty fun,” they replied, flashing him a mean grin as their foot pulled away, crossing their legs and lifting an eyebrow. “But as you said, you’re their boss, and I imagine you’ve got a lot to do today.”
“Yep. Most of it your fault,” he scolded, leaning in to press a quick kiss against their forehead. “You gotta make it up to me.”
“And how’s that?”
“Dinner at my place tonight?”
“…so you want me to make it up to you by braving your food?”
“Hey now! I’m a good cook! I got a new grill I wanna test out.”
“And I’m to be the guinea pig, hmm?”
“Will make me feel loads better about how you embarrassed me at the breakfast table.”
“Hmm…” They pretended to weigh options in their mind before grabbing the front of his shirt, dragging him in close to press a kiss against the end of his nose. “…deal.”
Milo watched the truck pulling up the long drive, creeping its way past the main house and down towards the barn, Tank slouched against the fence next to him with a scowl still set in place. Neither of them had said a word to each other since breakfast, and neither felt a need to do so, more than comfortable with the silence.
Asher had told him that Tank was going to be helping him put the new horses through their paces, and while he was glad for the help, he couldn’t help wondering how much of the temper that was still simmering inside them would carry over into the riding.
Last thing he needed was an already stressed horse dealing with a pissed off rider.
As the truck came to a stop, both of them moved towards the far end of the trailer, nodding to the driver that sat in the truck. When the top half of the trailer door swung open, Milo stopped short, staring in surprise before shooting a wicked grin up at the person smirking down at him.
“Well, hey there, Sweetheart… didn’t realize we were buying your horses,” he purred. “If I’d known you were stopping by, I’d have dug out my best shirt.”
Tank immediately groaned and started gagging, which Milo pointedly ignored. His focus was zeroed in on the ranch hand currently undoing latches and locks, flashing him a grin as they swung the rest of the trailer door open.
“Oh, but then I wouldn’t have gotten to see how cute your face looks when you’re gobsmacked,” they retorted, disappearing into the trailer with a laugh. Tank leaned in towards Milo, eyebrow lifted.
“Can you two at least wait until the horses are unloaded before you eye-fuck each other?”
“You wanna be the one doing all the breaking today?” he asked in response, to which they just smirked. Turning his attention back to the trailer, Milo whistled as a pewter coloured horse with a pitch black mane was walked out first. “I’m starting to understand why David signed off so quickly on this sale,” he mused, taking the offered lead and starting towards the circle pen.
“One person’s misfortune is another person’s goldmine,” Sweetheart called as they walked a bay down the ramp, handing it off to Tank who followed after Milo. “Dynasty Acres had to downsize. Cut about thirty heads from their stock,” they added on. “We ended up taking a large portion of them, and David convinced the boss to bring along these half dozen to you guys since we were already making the trip.”
“Uh huh… and what that saved us in gas money, I’m assuming cost us in favours?” Milo asked as he came back, smirking up at Sweetheart as they handed over a buckskin. His grin widening as they leaned down from the top of the ramp, nose barely brushing against his.
“What can I say… the boss nearly ruined his pants at the thought of David Shaw owing him a favour.”
“I’m sure Keaton is going to be calling it in very soon,” Milo responded, his eyes dropping to their mouth for a heartbeat before looking back up at them. Before he could ask, however, Tank caught up to them and groaned loudly.
“Seriously, guys… we’re only half done. Then you can make out all you want.”
Eventually all six horses were settled into the circle pen, Tank seated on the topmost railing of the fence and watching them. Milo, meanwhile, had Sweetheart pinned to the far wall inside the trailer, a wicked grin on his face as he ran a hand along the leg that was hooked up over his hip.
“You going to the show in a few days?” they asked, chin lifted with a soft gasp as his mouth ran over their pulse.
“Of course… gotta get you back for making me lose last time.”
“I didn’t - fuck - make you lose…”
“You sure as shit did, you menace… completely threw me off my game. Couldn’t focus at all after what that damn mouth of yours did.”
“You mean this mouth?” they asked, hand latching in his hair and pulling his head back in order to crush their lips against his. Bucking their hips against him and forcing a sharp groan out of him.
A horn honking from the trunk had him breaking the kiss with a gasp and a curse. Nipping at their jaw and smirking at them.
“Gotta get back to work, Sweetheart… and sounds like you gotta get back on the road.”
“Raincheck, then… see you at the show,” they growled in response, grinding against him once more before slipping free of his arms and sauntering out of the trailer. Milo’s stride was less steady, but he had his balance back by the time he joined Tank at the ring. Waving to the truck as it honked a farewell while driving away.
“You’re so sweet on them, it’s nasty,” Tank grumped, eyes following the buckskin that had been brought in. Milo chuckled gently, one foot up on a rung as he looked the horses over.
“No denying that. Gotta see if I can convince David to poach them off of Keaton.”
“Good luck with that.” Humming quietly in response, Milo looked the newest horses over before sighing gently.
“Well… we’re not gonna find out what they can do just by standing here. Sam’s gonna be here in a couple hours, and I’d rather not take them for a spin when they’re sore at us for sticking them. Let’s go.”
A deep, relieved sigh came from Sam as he stepped out of the barn into the sun, stretching his back and wincing at the multiple pops it let out. This was why he preferred medicating in small batches. It was a compliment that David Shaw trusted him and him alone to dose his horses, but doing thirty in a day was rough on his back and knees.
Walking a lap around the barn to stretch out his legs, he planted his hands on his hips, twisting carefully to work out the kinks. The last horse he’d worked with had been a biter, and he was pretty sure he’d felt something wrench as he dodged out of the way. Good thing Milo had been there as a second set of hands.
Once the ache eased, he came to a stop, letting out a pleased sound as he inhaled deeply, looking around. It was always a joy, coming to the Shaw ranch. He worked plenty of them as a large animal vet, but so many ranches had that artificial feel to them. So called ranch owners that wanted to parade around and play cowboys, but were nothing more than city folk wearing hats and spurs and bragging to their friends back in town.
Lupinos Ranch, though… this was a proper home. A generational ranch. Everyone who worked on it was family, and everyone treated it as such. It was like comparing a staged house for sale to a farm house that had been lived in for fifty years.
He’d worked with Gabe for over a decade, and had full faith in David’s ability to carry on his work, which was why when David requested he get as many horses done as he could in a day, he buckled down and did his best. David wouldn’t insist on him pushing himself too far, just that he do as much as he could. Knowing the timeline David was working on with several shows coming up, he couldn’t blame the man for the rush.
Walking up to the aged fence that separated the ranch from the countless acres of field and forest that surrounded it, he linked his fingers together and rested his forearms on the top rail. Studying the mountains that lined the horizons. Taking in another slow, deep breath.
His eyes caught sight of a horse in the middle of a nearby field, and a grin grew across his face as he saw the rider stretched out on said horse’s back. No tack whatsoever.
Ah, that’s where Darlin had gotten to… Seemingly asleep, legs draped over the horse’s neck and arms crossed under their head. Letting the horse wander and graze while said rider napped.
Sam had wondered where they’d gone. Usually they were always in the barn. He couldn’t deny he enjoyed the picture they painted at the moment. Showing impressive balance by remaining perfectly centered atop the horse bareback, staying in place without the use of their hands or legs.
It wasn’t often he got to see them riding. And here he thought it hadn’t been possible to grow more fond of them than he already was...
A thought occurred to him that had a wicked grin forming, and he lifted his fingers to his mouth. Letting out a sharp, piercing whistle. The horse that Darlin was sprawled out on didn’t so much as flick an ear.
Darlin, on the other hand, flinched sharply and twisted to see the noise. Which resulted in them losing their balance and slipping off the horse to land on their ass in the field. And still the horse barely so much as moved, taking a single step forward to continue grazing.
It was a testament to his self control that Sam wasn’t howling in laughter, but he was grinning something fierce as he watched them get to their feet, brushing off with a wince and hobbling over to the fence where he stood.
“I oughta kick your ass for that. Could have sent her running.”
“You and I both know I could have done that in her ear, and Billie wouldn’t so much have twitched,” he corrected.
“So you were just being mean, then.”
“Apologies, Darlin. You just looked so serene.”
“Your reaction to seeing me serene is to give me a heart attack? I hate to see what your reaction to me being stressed is.”
“I think that was the stillest I’ve ever seen you. Thought you might have been dead,” he continued teasing. “Wasn’t sure you knew how to hold still.”
“Got an earlier start to the day than I planned… trying to squeeze a nap in,” they muttered, bracing their forearms against the top rail of the fence and bending forward, stretching their back and arms. Sam found it hard not to stare.
“Well… now I’m offering a genuine apology for waking you up, Darlin’,” the vet spoke up, frowning when they shook their head in response.
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t be sleeping too long, anyway. Gotta rotate pastures soon, and it’ll be feeding time not long from now.”
Letting out a pleased groan when they got their back to pop, they straightened and turned to stare at him, offering a faint smile. “How’s the dosing going?”
“Good. We got the newest batch all done, and the list of horses that David’s considering taking to the show next week is nearly done. Don’t think I’ll have it in me to do much more than that.”
“Oh, stop griping like you’re an old man,” they scolded, smirking at him in a way that had him wanting so damn bad to lean in and kiss them.
“I don’t need to be an old man in order to be hurting after dodging a bite like that,” he corrected, grinning wider as they winced.
“Ah… just did Lacey, huh?”
“Yep, she still hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you. She just doesn’t like anyone.”
“She seems to like you plenty.”
“Well, glad someone does,” they muttered, softly under their breath as they looked down at the ground.
I like you plenty…
Frowning and keeping that thought to himself, he reached forward to gently flick the rim of their hat, smirking at them as they caught it before it fell, huffing at him.
“Mind grabbing Billie for me? She’s next on the list.”
Their face hardened, to his surprise, and he lifted an eyebrow.
“Billie’s not going to the show.”
“She’s on the list of possible choices that David gave me.”
“I don’t care what the fuck David says. We’re not selling Billie.” Sensing an as-of-yet unresolved fight had taken place, Sam nodded idly.
“Alright. Doesn’t change the fact that she needs her meds. Her more than others, considering her age,” he pointed out. That seemed to mollify the ranch hand, glancing back at the horse once before nodding.
“Alright.” Hating the quiet voice they spoke in now, Sam watched them walk over to the elderly horse, rubbing along her shoulders and neck for a moment before taking hold of her halter. Pulling her head up in order to scrub at her forehead and kiss her nose, and laughing gently when she nibbled at their shirt.
His heart ached at the sight. David had a hell of a fight ahead of him if he really intended to sell that horse.
With Darlin’s help, Billie had her shots in record time, and they ended up helping him and Milo with the rest, allowing him to finish all twelve horses that David has asked he dose along with the new arrivals.
Packing up his supplies, he stretched once more while Milo put away the last horse, and was unable to help smiling as Darlin walked alongside him back to his truck.
“Are you going with David to the show next week?” he asked as he set his kit in the back of the truck. They shook their head and his heart picked up in speed.
“Someone has to stay here and make sure everyone gets fed, brushed and turned in and out. The trip will take a couple days, so I’m staying behind.”
“Alone?”
‘I think Arden is staying behind, but she’s got that new barrel horse she’s wanting to work with so she’ll be down at the indoor ring pretty much the entire time,” they remarked, hands in their pockets as they lingered by his truck. “…are you going to the show?”
“Nah, got too much on my plate. Plus horse shopping is a bit out of my budget, as much as I’d like to have one,” he added with a chuckle. “If you’re gonna be here, then I can swing by and finish medicating the horses we didn’t get to. Would feel better having someone around in case anyone else feels bitey.”
The shy smile they gave him as they nodded had his chest aching again, and he nodded in response as he climbed into his truck. Unable to keep from grinning when they tipped their hat at him in a silent farewell before turning and heading to the barn.
There was only a small handful of horses left to medicate, but he’d be sure to be out there at first light, if it meant the two of them were practically going to have the ranch to themselves.
Tank watched Sam’s truck disappear down the long, winding driveway that cut through the valley that Lupinos Ranch was buried in, a faint smile remaining on their face. It was always nice when Sam stopped by…
Their smile disappeared as they saw his truck slow down, squinting to see what had caught his attention. Seeing he was talking to someone who was walking along their driveway, paranoia and fear rippled through them.
If this was another one of Quinn’s lackeys, sent to cause trouble…
“Milo,” they called, eyes never leaving the figure that waved at Sam’s truck as he drove off. “We got company.”
“Good company or bad company?” the horseman asked as he came up beside them, rifle settled over his shoulder.
“Not sure yet. It’s just the one.”
“Yeah, I remember what happened the last time it was just one person.”
Asher was still recovering from the injury that had resulted.
Eventually the stranger walked under the large wooden sign stretched out across the driveway, a bright smile in place when they spotted the two of them. Lengthening their stride and coming to a stop in front of them.
“Are either of you David Shaw?” they asked, shifting the heavy duffle bag on their shoulder. Tank lifted an eyebrow, that having not been the greeting they expected. Who the hell didn’t know David Shaw on sight?
“Nope. Who the hell are you?” Tank retorted, frowning when the visitor’s response was to stick their hand out for a shake.
“Call me Angel! I was hoping I could find some work here!”
Ah, fuck, a drifter. Great. Resisting the urge to roll their eyes, Tank looked them over, skeptical.
Relatively clean sneakers, purposely ripped jeans, a band t-shirt, neat nail polish and a hoodie tied around their waist screamed city-folk. The only reason people from the city looked for a job on a ranch was because they were ducking trouble.
“You got any experience on a ranch?” Milo asked, in a far politer voice than Tank would have given.
“Nope!” Angel replied, sounding entirely too cheerful. Tank and Milo glanced at each other, eyebrows raised.
“Can you ride?”
“You mean horses?” Tank’s face fell flat.
“…yeah. I mean horses.”
“Nope! Never been near one!”
“The fu… then why the hell are you looking for work here?” Tank demanded.
“Lupines are my favourite flower, and I love horses!”
“You just said you’d never been near one,” Milo pointed out.
“Never been near the moon, but I still love it!” That earned a laugh from Milo, who shrugged slightly
“Sure, alright, follow me.” Tank looked at him in shock.
“Seriously?” they demanded, to which Milo shrugged again.
“He’s the boss, it’s his job to say yes or no. Maybe he wants someone to scrub his floors.”
“Oh, now that I have experience in!” Angel spoke up, trotting to catch up to Milo as he headed up to the main house.
Tank watched in silent shock, letting out a weak laugh after a moment. They were almost tempted to go along and watch the entire fiasco that was about to unfold.
Instead they turned and headed back to the barn, shaking their head. If a miracle happened and David said yes, things were about to get pretty damn interesting around here.