A new colt was delivered last Monday, and he’s my special project. They named him Demon for a fuckin’ reason too ’cause he’s a little shit and doesn’t want to cooperate. If he keeps it up, we’ll be doing laps around the corral for the next two weeks. One thing I’ve learned while training horses is to have patience and be gentle. These animals don’t trust humans on instinct. It’s something that’s earned.

“Rodeo’s next week, right?”

I glance at him over my shoulder. “Yes, sir.”

“Good deal. I’m gonna try to watch your trainee ride. Hopefully, he places. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to it.”

“Alrighty, thanks,” I say, then slowly walk up to Demon as he backs away. Eventually, his curiosity gets the best of him, and he takes a few steps forward. Holding out my hand, I let him sniff me and keep my movements slow. The last thing I want is to spook him.

I touch the softness of his nose, then create some space so he can get reacquainted with learning. Right now, he’s ready to bolt, and if the gate was open, he would.

After a minute of staring each other down, I grab the rope and start lead practice. He trots around in circles, and I swing the extra ends of the rope in the other direction, and he turns around. We do this for thirty minutes, and then I give him a break. Demon eyes me.

I click my tongue, encouraging him to come toward me. I clip the rope to his halter and lead him around the pen, then we go back to our training.

As he makes his way around the pen, I notice Maize from my peripheral. She’s watching me train, and a smile forms on my face. She’s no different than the horses—resentful, hesitant, but also interested—and I’m determined to break her too. The chase keeps me going, but I also like the thought of being with her too. I may be a retired bull rider, but I’ll always be a champ, and I’m ready to win her over.

When I turn my head, our eyes meet, and she freezes in place. She’s carrying bags, and I’m sure she’s bringing Kiera and Jackson breakfast. Sometimes she does that when they’re not as busy at the B&B. Wiping the sweat off my brow, I keep my eyes on Demon. As he does laps, she moves closer and hangs on the gate.

“Hey,” she coos, her voice soft and sweet.