“I can get with that idea.”
They stood up and shimmied out of the rows of sports seating and headed out to square up their winning lots. It took another hour to get them all done and signed for. They managed to have all the lots scheduled for delivery tomorrow.
“What the fuck, Colt?” He took the form that belonged to Colt, and it had the delivery address Gibson Ranch on it in black sharpie.
“Consider it a housewarming gift. It’s great to have you back.” Gage pulled his cousin in a one-armed hug.
“You didn’t have to go fucking nuts like that, but thank you.” He nodded before the two cousins walked out of the large cattle auction and into the bright Texas sun. Even though the day had been winding down, the sun was still bright in the sky, drying up the sweat on their skin.
***
“Sign right here, and they’re all yours.” The man tapped his pen on the sturdy clipboard where Gage had to leave his Alex Hancock. The attorney in him scanned the documents to make sure there were no surprises. Feeling satisfied, he signed off onthe delivery of forty-three heifers, fourteen yearlings, and one bull.
Gage shook the driver’s hand and then watched him climb into his cab and drive off the property.
“Boss, they’re all loaded in their pens,” Bill said, dusting off his hands on his jeans. Colt had sent Bill over to help set up the ranch for his cousin. He’d worked as Colt’s foreman for three years when an injury left him unable to walk for nearly a year. By the time he recovered, Colt had promoted a new foreman, and Gage had decided to return home. Bill was perfect for the job.
“Thanks, Bill.”
“Thank you for giving me another opportunity.”
If Colt trusted Bill, then Gage could do the same, although Gage made sure to run all the necessary background checks, getting information in hours with the help of some of his former colleagues. The man had proven to be upstanding and hardworking. Accidents happened and unfortunately Bill’s nearly cost him his life. Colt didn’t want to let him go, but he had too much at stake to just wait around for his recovery.
Gage clapped his hand on Bill’s back and said, “Well, hell. We all need second chances. How about we get them fed and head back inside to plan out the number of employees I need to maintain this business?”
“Sounds good to me.” He grabbed his bandana, swiping it across the back of his neck for some relief. The sun, even in the early summer, could be unbearable. Bill had extensive experience with the number of men they needed, so Gage relied on his judgement. They were already days behind, so finding men tomorrow was a must. There was too much work for two men to handle. With over fifty cattle to manage and feed, the day passed in a hurry and their bodies were beaten.
By seven, they’d squared away the details on what type of hands they needed and how many, as well as housing them in the bunkhouse a thousand feet from the main house.
“I’ve got to hit the road. I’ll be back first thing in the morning with a couple of hands that are looking for work outside the feed store.”
“We can test them out and see if we can make them permanent. You’re aware of I’m looking for.” They discussed the matter thoroughly, making notes of how much they would be paid by the hour and possible bunking if needed.
After a day full of hard work, Gage’s aching bones begged for the relief of a hot shower. He rolled his head, stretching his neck as he let the water wash over him. He needed a good massage, but he wouldn’t tell his cousin that because he’d bust his chops about being weak.
He quickly finished his shower and then turned off the water because his fatigue kicked in. Smiling to himself, he dried off, slipped on some boxers, and passed out, ready for another day.
Chapter Three
The ticking sound of an imaginary analog clock played in her head, waking Hope up in the wee hours of the morning. Her eyes widened as she observed the darkened room with just a hint of light coming from the moon. She stared at the bastard light with a vengeful mind. It marked how much time she had left of her innocence.
She would be moving from one property owner to the next. She rolled over, tucking one arm under her pillow, balling it up and testing the comfortability. Several times she readjusted, but nothing worked. Unable to fall back to sleep, she sat up and thought about her fate and the life she’d never have.
Her chest tightened as the minutes that she lay awake turned into hours. The hours had ticked down until she became the property of someone else. She swallowed hard, it was so loud she wondered if she had woken up someone in the house, but there was no movement outside her door. Even though she was restless, Hope refused to get out of her bed in fear that one of her guards would come check in on her. Sitting there in the dark gave her a lot of time to think about the years of abuse and mistreatment.
During that reflection, she came to an important realization. Her father held no control over her once she belonged to Navarro. If, for whatever reason she couldn’t run away, she could use Navarro to destroy her father.
The alarm had gone off, and the true countdown had begun. Hope had dressed for her inspection and handoff and then waited for the dreaded summons.
The single knock on the bedroom door resonated in her ears like iron bars slamming shut. Steeling her expression, she slid her purse across her body before opening the door.
“It’s time to go,” Cummings informed her with the curt, unfeeling tone he’d always given her.
She didn’t resist. Instead, she marched out of the room with her head held high. He could no longer destroy her. The sway he thought he held over her vanished the second he made a deal with Navarro.I will get my revenge,she thought.
“Wait,” he hollered, rushing down the steps to catch up to her. Cummings stepped up to his daughter and pretended to give her a hug, but instead, he leaned in to whisper, “You better still be pure, or your body will be on the slab. Don’t embarrass me and be a whore like your mother. She suffered those consequences.”
She gasped at the insinuation that he murdered her mother. Knowing that he inflicted pain, he smiled to himself as he opened the door, holding it for her to pass.