Chapter 6

Billy

“Yes, James, everything is going well. Of course she hired me. First of all, I’m charming as hell, and two, she desperately needs the help.”

William sat on the side of his bed, wrapped just in a towel, hair still dripping from his shower. He felt safe talking to James on his cell phone because he was the only person occupying the lodge.

“It’s fine. There’s a ton of work to do to keep me here for at least a month or two. I am having dinner with Alice again tonight, so I’ll see what else I can find out.”

William hesitated while James asked another question.

“Well I haven’t really had a chance to spend much time with her, but she does seem interested in me. I’m confident we will become close.”

William picked up his watch from the bedside table and looked at the time. He needed to move his ass. He wanted to spend as much time with Alice as possible, and he was ‘requested’ to be back in the barn by six thirty to meet with Joe. He was being trained on a few more procedures and Joe wouldn’t appreciate tardiness.

As gruff as he was, William did like the man. He was pretty sure Joe didn’t feel the same way about him, if the stink eye he received whenever he walked by was any indication.

“Yes, I went down to the shoreline yesterday. It is definitely worth all the trouble we are going through.”

William paused again as James cut him off.

“Stop worrying. I have to go. I’m going to the house for dinner and I don’t want to be late. I’ll read over those tenders you emailed tonight and send back any revisions. I will touch base in a day or two.”

William and James said their goodbyes and he got dressed. He dabbed on a small amount of cologne and made his way into the lodge’s kitchen.

Alice had kindly stocked up the fridge and pantry with all the staples he would need to keep from starving, mostly breakfast and lunch food. He took the orange juice out of the fridge and poured himself a glass, quenching his thirst. He had worked his ass off.

While he was used to putting in many hours of work each day, it had been a few years since he had done any strenuous labor. He wasn’t used to the physical demands it put on his body, but at the same time, it felt good to use his hands again, as blistered as they were. He had forgotten how much he liked that feeling of accomplishment and purpose, but his muscles would be screaming at him tomorrow.

Alice was in the kitchen when he arrived at the house. She had on an old apron, her hair disheveled, with a patch of flour on her left cheek. Billy wasn’t sure what she was making, but he was certain that she was frazzled. She turned and looked at him, biting her bottom lip. He shook his head playfully and walked toward her.

“What do we have here?” he asked gently, easing in beside her.

Alice shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, I did tell you that I wasn’t much of a cook. I was trying to make biscuits to go with the spaghetti,” she answered unapologetically.

Billy looked at the sticky dough on the cutting board, and then back at Alice. He grinned impishly at her, causing her to giggle.

“Ok, stop. This is embarrassing,” she admitted lightly.

Billy raised his hand and placed it on her back with a gentle touch. She offered him a weak smile that implied she enjoyed the gesture, but she was still guarded.

“You made pasta?” he asked hopefully, dropping his hand.

Alice ran the back of her floured hand across her forehead, moving her bangs out of her eyes.

“Kind of. I’m boiling spaghetti and heating up store bought sauce. Does that count?”

“Sounds perfect,” he offered gently. “Let me help you with these biscuits. I’m sure we can salvage them.”

Twenty minutes later they were enjoying their spaghetti and warm buttered biscuits, sitting side by side at the kitchen table.

Billy poured Alice a small glass of wine and handed it to her.

“Thank you. You aren’t having any more?” she asked, accepting it from him.

He shook his head softly.

“No, I’m good with just one, but please don’t let me stop you. Enjoy.”

He smiled warmly at her.

She sipped her wine, looking over the rim of her glass, her eyes assessing him. He wished he knew what she was thinking about.

“What’s on your mind?” he prodded cautiously.

Alice bit her bottom lip again, considering her thoughts. Billy inhaled deeply, wondering if she knew the effect that little gesture had on him.

“I guess I’m just curious about you,” she admitted, sitting back in her chair.

Billy took another mouthful of pasta, nodding. He swallowed his food and took a long sip of his water.

“Yeah, I guess I feel the same way about you,” he finally offered, shifting the conversation off himself.

Alice cocked her head.

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

If she had any discomfort, she didn’t show it.

“I’m curious about the ranch,” he started slowly, needing to play things out casually.

“Oh?” she said, encouraging him to continue.

“How did you come to own it?” he asked curiously.

Alice took another sip of her wine and smiled thoughtfully.

“It belonged to my parents, and my grandparents before them,” she explained simply.

Billy nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“My daddy inherited the ranch when my grandpa died. Grandma had passed several years earlier, complications from diabetes. Dad ran the place for a few years as it was and then eventually converted it from sheep and horses, to just the horses. During that time he taught me everything I know. I was their only child,” she said, her eyes softening with memories.

“Really? No siblings?” Billy remarked.

Alice shook her head slowly.

“No. I think my parents tried, but sadly they were unable to have more kids. I was on my own,” she said pensively. “Things probably would have been a lot easier if I had brothers and sisters to help, that’s for sure.”

“So, after your parents inherited the farm, your dad made a few changes?” he prodded casually, hoping she would continue.

“Yes, the changes were actually quite positive. We were turning out some exceptional animals and people were coming from all over the country to purchase from us. I was deep in the training side of things, but also did a lot of marketing. We were gearing up to make some pretty significant alterations to the ranch,” she explained.

“Hey, did you know I actually had some of my horses featured in a movie?” she boasted, as if suddenly remembering.

“Oh yeah? Which one?” he asked curiously.

“Can’t recall the name. It was romantic comedy with Ethan McLaughlin. The one about the rodeo. He was a bull rider,” she offered, hoping he might know.

Billy shook his head. It didn’t ring any bells.

“I think it was one of his earlier movies. It doesn’t matter, it was a long time ago,” she said, dismissing the memory.

“Anyway, about four years ago my parents were killed in a car accident,” she said, her voice faint.

Billy sat forward and touched her hand, sharing his condolences. She looked up and met his eyes, a sad look on her pretty face. Billy waited patiently for her to continue, offering nothing. She took a deep breath and shared the tragic story of her loss. When she was done, her eyes were wet with sorrow.

Billy was genuinely moved by her story. He was no stranger to tragedy, and knew all to well the pain of losing someone close. He leaned in and wiped away her tears with his thumb. She was touched by his gesture and smiled.

“So now you are alone,” he concluded, exhaling slowly.

“No, I’m not alone,” she replied, shaking her head and offering him a reassuring smile.

Just then, Joe interrupted, banging in through the side door behind the kitchen. Billy sat back in his chair, trying to hide his disappointment. He needed more alone time with Alice. She was just starting to open up to him.

“Hey,” Joe nodded at Billy.

It was obvious he didn’t approve of Billy being at Alice’s table for the second night in a row, but he was not the type of man to interfere.

Billy was grateful for that. He nodded back, keeping his expression even.

“Hi, Joe. Do you want some supper? I think there’s some pasta left in the pot,” Alice offered.

Joe shook his head.

“No, that’s alright. I just came over to tell you that Misty is in labor. I was just in the barn with her. She is pretty agitated and is sweating and pawing at the ground. My guess is that her foal will be here some time tonight, maybe early tomorrow morning,” he explained.

Alice smiled brightly, her eyes lighting up. She looked at Billy and let out an excited squeal. Her enthusiasm was so infectious he let out a chuckle of his own.

“That is so exciting, Joe! Does she seem okay?” she asked.

Joe nodded.

“Yeah, I would say so. We will know more in a few hours. I checked her out before I came here. The babe is in the right position, as far as I can tell. Should be a standard delivery,” he assured her.

“Have you ever seen a mare give birth, Billy?” she asked, her smile still bright.

Billy shook his head.

“No, I haven’t,” he admitted, clenching his jaw a little tighter.

“Well it is just the most incredible sight. You’ll want to be there, right?” she asked him, nodding her head.

Billy wasn’t sure he did, but was even more certain he didn’t want her to think he was a pussy. He nodded his head and offered her a smile, weak as it was.

She looked back at Joe.

“Anything I can do?” she asked Joe.

“I’ll let you know when things get closer. I’m just going to tend to the other animals for now. Billy, you comin’?” Joe asked him.

Billy popped the last bite of biscuit into his mouth and nodded.

“Yeah, man. I’ll be right there,” he said, hoping Joe would leave and give him another five minutes with Alice.

Joe turned to Alice.

“Ok. I’ll see you in a bit,” he said to her, his voice softening.

Billy was certain she was the only person on the planet that Joe reserved that tone for. She nodded at him and Joe walked out, but not before giving Billy another glance.

“I best get out there myself,” Billy said, slowly standing up.

Alice stood up with him.

“Thanks for sharing your story with me, Alice. I’m sorry about your parents. That is very sad,” he offered sincerely.

Alice nodded.

“Yes, it took a long time to heal from that. My parents loved this ranch, especially my daddy. I guess that’s why I put so much of my heart and soul into this place. I want my dad to be proud of me,” she confessed.

Billy inhaled slowly, processing her words. Sentimentality and nostalgia. Two of the toughest emotions to crack. He had his work cut out for him.

“I’ll come down to the barn in a bit. Will I see you there?” she asked hopefully.

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.

Anything to get more time with her.

* * *

Misty’s colt was born just before ten that evening. Billy watched in awe as Alice talked the mare through her delivery, calming and nurturing. He was surprised at how connected the animal was to Alice, hanging on her every word.

Joe was right, it was a standard delivery, no drama or problems. The little fella came into the world and within the hour, he was vocalizing, standing and suckling, his mama interacting with loving nickers. Billy found the whole experience humbling.

Alice waited patiently for the mare to deliver the placenta and she inspected it thoroughly to make sure it was intact. She explained to Billy that any abnormalities would have required a visit from the vet, but that everything was perfect.

Billy thought he would have been queasy at the whole experience, but instead he was energized by it,

mainly because Alice was so calm, explaining the entire process as it unfolded.

“It’s not uncommon for Mare’s to get a little grumpy after they have foaled, so let Joe take care of Misty and the babe for a few days. He has more experience,” Alice explained.

She turned toward Joe, who nodded in return.

“She seems to be bonding well with the colt, but I’ll keep an eye on them for the next few hours,” Joe offered. “You guys can head out if you want.”

Billy had to tear himself away from the barn. He couldn’t explain why, but he didn’t want to leave the new colt. Alice chuckled at him and said she knew that feeling all too well. It was common to bond with the little ones.

Finally, he followed her out of the stables.

“That was amazing.”

He was invigorated and wired and nowhere near ready for sleep. Alice looked like she felt the same way. She chatted for several minutes, her voice animated and excited.

Billy decided to capitalize on the moment.

“I’m not tired at all. Do you want to hang out and chat for a bit?” he asked her optimistically.

Alice chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating his request. She finally agreed.

“It’s the adrenalin. Takes a while to settle down after something like this. We can hang out for a bit I guess.”

“How about a game of pool? You can show me how good you are,” he teased.

Alice chuckled at him. She looked down at her shirt, covered in the miracle of birth.

“I need to clean up,” she said, waffling with indecision.

Billy grabbed her elbow and urged her to follow him.

“Come on, there is water at the lodge. You can clean up quick. Or are you worried that I will hand your ass to you?” he challenged her with a cheeky wink.

Alice raised her eyebrows, clearly a woman who didn’t shy away from a challenge. Billy threw her another charming smile.

“Come on,” he urged.

Alice nodded and followed him to the lodge.