Chapter Twelve

Rush glanced across Manuel to where Phillip sat on his horse. They’d given him one of the more settled mounts, a bay mare. She wasn’t a trail nag, but she wasn’t high-spirited either. Manuel wanted to see what Phillip could handle.

Phillip had managed to saddle her up and had even picked her hooves and done a good job when he’d brushed her off. Rush had been impressed. So far, so good.

This morning, they had to check the fences and the water troughs. If they needed more water, they’d bring out the big tanks in the back of the truck. There were two big waterholes located elsewhere that ran from a windmill pump.

The route they were taking would circle the entire ranch and take most of the time so that by lunch they’d be back at the house. If Phillip wanted to call it quits, he could end his day there.

From the look of happiness on Phillip’s face, Rush bet on the young man continuing to the afternoon’s chores, like the water, and barn maintenance. Much more physical labor than riding, but neglect could run down a ranch faster than anything.

“This is some beautiful land, Rush. You’re so lucky.” Phillip pointed toward the rolling hills covered in tan grass. They hadn’t had their first frost yet—that would come in late February. For now, it was just a lack of rainfall turning the grass brown.

“How’s your ass?” Manuel asked as he reined his horse to a halt. He pulled out his water bottle and took a drink.

Despite the cold, they still needed to stay hydrated, so Rush did the same.

Phillip stood in his stirrups to stretch. “Not bad, but I can sure see how you’d have to get used to this.” He ran his hand over his butt. “I can tell I’ll need a soak this evening.”

Manuel laughed. “At my age, I need one every night. Cowboying’s a young man’s game. Like you and Rush and the other hands.”

“I’m not so young,” Rush reminded him. Manuel had been running the ranch since Rush’s father’s time. “But I still have a little bounce back left in me.”

Phillip joined in the teasing. “Well, since I’m the baby of the three of us, guess I got the most bounce of all.”

Manuel leaned over and spit on the ground. “Hell, boy, your bounce might bounce you right off that horse if you’re not careful.” He shot a hard glare at Phillip.

“Yessir.” Phillip sobered and nodded. “I’ll try hard to keep my seat.”

“See to it.” Manuel gave a sharp nod, then looked to Rush.

Rush shook his head and kicked his horse into motion. “Let’s check the south pasture, do a head count and head back for lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan, boss.” Manuel clicked his teeth and his horse trotted off.

Phillip followed and caught up to them. Rush tried to keep his gaze from going to Phillip, but he couldn’t avoid the man’s infectious grin. He noticed even Manuel was smiling, in his own, half-mouth way.

Maybe Phillip could work out as a hand. Rush didn’t want to speak too soon, and he needed to hear what Manuel had to say on it. Phillip might just have found a new job and a new home.

Rush wished Brian would agree to share in some of the decisions about the ranch. Maybe he should discuss it with Manuel? He had a good head on his shoulders, especially about people. Rush worried Brian was right about moving too fast, but damn it, he wanted to share everything with him—the ranch, their lives, their future.

Manuel squinted at him. “Boy, you look like you got a world of worry on your mind. Care to talk about it or is it one of those things I wouldn’t understand?”

Rush knew he meant his and Brian’s relationship. Manuel had figured out Rush was gay a long time ago, but had just let him be and waited until Rush found someone to come out for. He never felt judgment from Manuel, and for that he thanked God. Manuel even made sure none of the hands had a problem with them being gay—if they did he’d run them off damn fast.

In many ways, the old man had been more of a father than his own. Manuel damned sure never beat him like his old man had when he’d come out to him.

Rush looked over at Phillip and wondered how many times he’d been beaten for being gay. He had no idea where the kid was from, where he’d been, or what might or might not be chasing him.

But before he hired him, he’d make damned sure to find out.

 

Phillip rode along with the two men, one on each side of him, as they checked the fences. His ass was sore as shit, but it was the good kind of sore, the one you got when things were going right, when you knew you were where you were meant to be and the hard work you did was righteous. He’d only had a few days of that, mostly on his grandfather’s farm as a teenager, picking crops, feeding the chickens, and the few times he’d helped his grandfather build or repair something around the farm.

But riding the horse? Looking out for the cattle? That was pure heaven.

They reached what had to be the south pasture. They’d been riding with the morning sun coming up over their left shoulders. Black cattle dotted the landscape. Had to be a hundred at least, huddled in groups spread out over the field.

Manuel signaled for them to halt with his hand in the air. “Gotta count ’em, son.”

Rush nodded. “Right. Phillip, see that group over there by the water tank? Ease on over there, don’t spook them, check the water level, and count them up. Just take your time and don’t get off your horse. Without a rider, she’ll head straight for the barn. If you lose your mount, it’s gonna be hell walking back.” Rush slapped his hat on his thigh and laughed. “I’ll take the bunch under the tree and, Manuel, you get the stragglers.”

Manuel nodded and headed off.

“Sure thing. Nice and easy. Got it.” Phillip gave his horse a soft kick and a flick of the reins and she started off in a slow walk.

He was on his own and so excited he wanted to whoop and holler, but he tamped it all down inside. He had a job to do, and no way would he make a mistake. It took a few minutes to get close enough to the tank to see it was halfway down, then he moved away to get a broad angle view of the cattle. He started counting. Keeping track in his head was easy—he’d done well in math and his work at the garage had had him totaling up sums all the time.

After thirty minutes, he finished. Sixty-four cows. Cows? Steers?

He turned the horse around and headed back toward Manuel, who sat on his horse away from the others. He reached him, halted and waited until Manuel gave him a sign.

Phillip inhaled. The scent of dry grass, cows, open land, horse and leather filled his nostrils. Man, nothing better. He took another deep breath, thinking some might not like it, but to him it was the best perfume.

Except maybe the way Estaban smelled first thing in the morning. He was remembering it when his phone chimed. Manuel grimaced as Phillip fought with the phone to get it out of his pocket. He almost dropped it, but caught it and hit the on button. Estaban texted him again. His heart fluttered and he snorted at his reaction.

 

Hey. What are you doing?

 

Believe it or not, I’m out riding the range.

 

No. Really? On a real horse?

 

No. On a dead one. I keep whipping it but…

 

Smartass. Having fun?

 

Yes. I counted cows.

 

Is that a thing?

 

Yep. It’s a cowboy thing.

 

So now you’re a cowboy?

 

For today.

 

Just checking in.

 

Thanks. I’m going to be here for a few days.

 

Then what? Still leaving?

 

Maybe.

 

There was a long pause and for a moment, Phillip thought Estaban had quit texting.

 

I know you’ll do what’s best for you.

 

How’s things going at the shop?

 

Jimmy is a dick. Flynn is going nuts running the counter. Everything is fucked-up.

 

Sorry. Not sorry.

 

LOL!

 

Manuel made a noise and Phillip looked up. The foreman had his arms crossed and was giving him the stink-eye.

 

Got to go. Back to work. See you soon.

 

See you, cowboy.

 

Phillip shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Sorry. A friend.” His cheeks burned under Manuel’s knowing stare.

“A friend, huh? Got you all… Boy, you’re blushing like a Baptist in a whorehouse.” Manuel chuckled.

Phillip rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that. He’s the guy I used to work with from the garage.”

“That’s right. Rush said you worked at Smith’s.” He scratched his chin. “Not that asshole Jimmy, was it?” Seemed everyone knew Jimmy and nobody liked him.

“Hell no.” Phillip made a sour face. “It was Estaban. He’s the real mechanic there. He’s a good guy, checking up on me, that’s all.”

“That’s all? You sure it ain’t something more?” Manuel cocked an eyebrow up.

Phillip swallowed. “You know I’m gay, right?”

Manuel nodded.

“So Estaban, he’s not gay.” Phillip picked at a loose thread on his jacket.

Manuel squinted at him. “Not gay, huh? He that Hispanic feller? Works on the engines? He’s a good mechanic. Worked on my wife’s car a time or two. Figured it out in no time.”

“Yeah, that’s him.” Phillip couldn’t hide his smile of pride.

Manuel hooted. “Man, I thought y’all had that ‘gaydar’ thing that tells you who is and isn’t gay. Yours broken?”

“Broken?” He shook his head. “Hell, no. Estaban’s not gay.”

“He’s not your kind of gay, but he’s sure as hell Rush and Brian’s sort of gay.” He leaned over and winked. “The kind that don’t look like it, who hide it real well.”

Phillip laughed it off. “What do you know about it? Are you gay too?”

“Hell no. But I seen enough in my time. Watched Rush hide it for ’nigh over ten years.” He sat back. “He got a wife?”

“No.”

“Divorced?”

“No.”

“Kids?”

“No.”

“How old is he?”

“Over thirty, I guess. All that don’t mean nothing.”

“He ever touch you, get in all up close and personal when he’s talking to you?”

“Well…I suppose once or twice.” He remembered the time Estaban had held his face to survey the extent of the damage. The time he’d stepped in and stood up to Jimmy and Crowder. The time he’d leaned against the wall of the garage, so close to Phillip he could smell him.

Realization dawned on him like the sun on a summer morning.

Phillip sucked in a deep breath because all the air had left his lungs. What if what Manuel said was true and he’d been missing all the signs?

Manuel hooted and shook his head. “Boy, you should see your face.”

Rush rode up. “What’s so funny?” He glanced back and forth between them.

“Well, I think someone here has seen the light.” His voice sounded like a preacher as he shook his hands over his head. “Boy! What was your count?”

“Uh, sixty-four and the tank is half-empty,” Phillip barked out.

“Thirty-one.” Rush pushed his hat back on his head.

“And I got twenty-nine. That makes…” He scratched his chin.

“One hundred and twenty-four,” Phillip answered.

“Good. Cattle all accounted for, boss.” Manuel jerked his reins and started off toward the fence. Phillip and Rush kicked their horses into a fast trot to keep up.

Rush called out to Phillip, “You okay? Manuel giving you a hard time?”

“No. He helped me, I think.” Phillip smiled and leaned forward, letting the horse have his head as all three broke into a canter. The sun in the sky had risen almost straight over them.

“Time for lunch!” Manuel called as they caught him.

A surge of happiness passed through Phillip. Whether it was thinking he had a chance with Estaban or the wind in his face as he rode toward the ranch house, he wasn’t sure what caused it.

But damn, he could get used to this feeling.