Counting on a Cowboy by Sara Richardson

Author:Sara Richardson [RICHARDSON, SARA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2024-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Thatch handed Franco a section of the plank flooring and supervised while he snapped it into place. “You’re really getting the hang of this construction thing.” When he’d agreed to hire the kid, he hadn’t anticipated that Franco would actually become an asset to the team. But they were knocking out this floor faster than any of them had thought they would.

“At this rate, we’ll finish up ahead of schedule.” Aiden ripped open another box of floor planks and stacked them next to the completed section.

Franco pushed to a standing position. “This sure beats sitting at a computer all day like my dad does selling insurance.”

Thatch had to laugh. After growing up on a farm, he’d never had any interest in that kind of job either. “You go into construction, you’ll never be bored at work.” He knew that for a fact.

“So you’re a senior, right?” Aiden hauled over another stack of planks he’d already cut. “You have any idea what you want to do after high school?”

“I’ve been thinking about the navy.” The kid snapped in the floorboard and tapped it into place with a rubber mallet. “Like you guys. Maybe I could even be a SEAL someday.”

Thatch exchanged a look with Aiden. “It’s not an easy life.” Yet he wouldn’t trade it for anything. His service had made him a better person. “But being in the military is very rewarding.”

“I want to do something that matters.” Franco continued to work, paying attention to the details as he went. “I don’t want to get stuck in this town forever.” He paused and glanced up at Thatch. “Then, after I serve for a few years, maybe I could even be a bronc rider like you when I’m done.”

Uh-oh.

“Bronc rider?” Aiden dropped the box he was holding. “What the hell is he talking about? You’re not a bronc rider.”

Franco lurched to his feet. “Was I not supposed to say anything? Sorry, dude. I didn’t know your riding was some big secret.”

“Not a secret so much,” Thatch corrected. “More like a surprise.” Even though Aiden had never liked surprises.

“You’re not seriously riding broncs.” Aiden didn’t wait for him to answer. “Because that would be stupid. I’ve known some bronc riders. They can get pretty messed up.”

Thatch grinned at his friend. There wasn’t much Aiden didn’t know. He had strong opinions about nearly everything. “I started up last year. Trained at a place outside of Jackson and then started working on Kirby Leatherman’s house so he’d take me on as a student.”

“Why?” Aiden abandoned the boxes he’d been unpacking. “Getting shot wasn’t enough for you? You want to get yourself killed in an arena?”

Franco kept his head down and got back to work. Thatch didn’t blame him for not wanting to be a part of this conversation.

“I want to challenge myself.” He said the words in a pointed tone. Aiden was the same way. That was why his friend had been working on bringing Kyra’s ranch back—for the challenge. “I want to do something new instead of staying in the same place.

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