Southern Romance (sequel to Little Miss Rodeo Queen) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Well," Travis said, shutting the feed room door, "that's the last of it."

"I'm guessing you're ready for deer season," I said.

"Hey, gotta get the corn while it's cheep." I rolled my eyes and walked back with him to the truck.

"So Mom and Dad are goin' outta town this week for their anniversary," I started. "Brant, Wyatt, and I were thinkin' we could have a bonfire. So you wanna come?"

"Why not," he answered with a chuckle.

"Great," I said. I clapped him on the back. "See ya then."

"C'mon, Bailey, we can't be doin' all the work," Brant yelled.

"Excuse me? I'm the one on top of a twelve hundred pound animal lugging these branches," I said, hooking a branch up to Bear's harness. 

"Well hurry up," Wyatt said. "You're takin' forever and a decade!" I rolled my eyes and lead Bear over to the bonfire spot.

"Don't go crazy with this bonfire, Brant," Dad warned, hopping into his truck. "I don't wanna get a call saying you burnt down the house. And if you do, we're all moving into yours."

Brant had moved into the small ranch house on our property. He didn't want to leave home, yet he wanted a place of his own. After a few months of hard work, we got the house repaired and fit for someone to live in.

"Calm down, Dad," Brant said, unhooking the tree branch. "We aren't gonna go crazy."

"The house better not be trashed when we get back," Mom added.

"And boys. Don't make your sister do all the house work." Dad shut his truck door and drove away.

"Well, I think this pile's big enough," Wyatt said, throwing the last of the lumber on the pile.

The bonfire stood at least six feet tall. If not, taller. We had collected fallen branches and dead trees found around the property to get it this high. This bonfire was going to be a long one.

"I think we got what we need." Brant pulled off his work gloves and walked to tthe house, picking the splinters out of the gloves.

I heard truck tires on the gravel, suspecting Mom had forgotten something. I looked up and watched as an old, rusted, white Chevy pulled up.

"Wyatt, you mind puttin' Bear up for me?" I asked.

"Yeah sure." Wyatt grabbed the lead and took Bear back to the barn.

I walked up to the white Chevy as it stopped. Out came a familiar brown headed guy with a camouflage BassProShops cap. He wore one of his white cut-offs, torn up work jeans, and his scuffed up brown boots.

"Long time no see, Emmett," I said.

"Has been a long time, hasn't it?" We gave each other a quick hug then backed off a bit (What? Just because he's my ex doesn't mean I have to be mean to the guy).

"So what brings ya here?" I asked.

"Actually I here to talk to you," Emmett explained. "You got a minute?"

"Yeah sure."

"You willing to work with a colt I got?" he asked. "He won't let anyone near him and I know you've trained a few horses."

"And a donkey," I added. "How bad?"

"He's slightly stall agressive, we can't let him loose in the pasture because we won't be able to get him back, and he'll try and trample the dogs," he explained.

I whistled. "Got a handful," I said. "Bring him over Thursday and I'll see what I can do."

"Alright thanks," he said.

"You're comin' to the bonfire, right?" I asked.

"Yeah," Emmett answered while cracking his knuckles.

"Alright. This is gonna go for a long time so I suggest leaving your little siblings at home," I replied.

"Oh they won't be."