I get up and put another stack of pancakes on my plate, then cover them with syrup. As I take a big bite of pancakes, I think about the night I had with a girl the last time I was here. I think I remember Maize mentioning someone named Grayson, and I wonder if it’s the same guy. It’s a small town, so it’s possible.

I think about that night we spent together often and wish I would’ve asked her for her number. I’ve thought about her and the chemistry we shared. It’s been impossible to get her out of my system, and it’s not from a lack of trying.

We finish eating, and Knox and Kane decide to ride with Riley. Alex delivers me to Jackson, who’s sweating his ass off with a shovel in his hand.

Alex rolls down the window. “Hey, old man. I brought Gavin back as demanded.”

Jackson gruffs. “Thank you, captain obvious.”

“Thanks for showing me around,” I tell Alex as I get out of the truck.

“Anytime!” Alex says out the open window, then gives me a wave before leaving.

Jackson sets the shovel down and walks over to me, wiping the sweat from his brow. “How was breakfast?”

“Great. Reminds me of my ma’s cookin’,” I admit. “I think I ate ten pancakes.”

“Told ya! Anyway, guess we should get you acquainted with the training area.”

We walk over to the different sections and barns. Among the several corrals is enough room to train several horses at once. Before I got hired, Kiera and Jackson explained their experience and what they were looking for in an employee. For the past few years, they’ve been doing everything on their own with their kids’ help. They want to expand, but without help, that’s not possible.

“Right now, we’re training eight horses. Two will be picked up by the end of the week, and one was delivered about an hour ago. The others are at different stages but only have a few more weeks to go. We’re also getting some new mares on Monday.”

I nod and make a mental note. We walk to the edge of the training area, and Jackson shows me an obstacle course set up for barrel racing. It’s impressive, but it seems everything the Bishops do is.

“The kids usually feed the horses in the morning, and I make them clean out stalls in the afternoons. For the most part, they’re doing different tasks around the ranch. They’re good kids, but damn, they make me feel old.”

I give him a side-grin. “My ma always said to be good growing up, or my payback would be having kids who were worse than me. Guess they’re yours.”