In The Heat of the Moment

Chapter 6: Part 1

Brock's POV
**Two weeks later**

'Beep...Beep...Beep...'

I hit my alarm and groaned. I sat up in my bed and rubbed my face. I got up and walked to the bathroom. I strip off my clothes and step into the shower. I let the warm water run over my body before I started to wash. I got out and dried myself off. I wrap a towel around my waist and walk out of my bathroom and saw all three dogs passed out on my bed. I chuckle to myself and went to my closet grabbing myself a blue t-shirt. I step out and went to my dresser. I stand in front of the mirror as I take off my towel and throw on a pair of blue briefs and my jeans. I throw on my shirt and walk into the kitchen, with the dogs in tow.

I get some coffee made and fed the dogs. I grab some bacon and eggs from the fridge and light up the stove. As the bacon was cooking, I pour myself a cup of coffee and take the bacon out of the pan. I put things away, put the pan in the sink, and put some dish soap in it before I fill it with water. I grab my plate and my coffee before I step outside. I set my plate and coffee on the table and sit.

I looked out, over the pasture and the barn, breathing in the fresh country air. It was bright, thanks to the sun high above, and it wasn't even seven-thirty yet. The horses were out in their paddock. I watch as the dogs play in the grass, as I look out past my pasture and see my neighbor's cattle graze. I finish my food and put them back inside, in the dishwasher. I go back outside and go over to the barn. I hay the horses, but I grab Spirit and put on his halter. I lead him out of his stall and clip him to a tied up lead rope. I brush him down and saddle him up.

"Hey Brock," I turn and see my neighbor, the one with the cattle.

"Hey what's up, Tracey?" I wondered, as I move to Spirit's face and put on his halter, putting the bit in his mouth.

"I was wondering if you could help me round up some cattle, so I can take them to the slaughterhouse today."

"Sure thing. My girl won't be here until noon anyway. And if she gets here earlier, and if we're still out in the field she could help us," I point out as I unclip Spirit and walk him out of the barn.

"Okay sounds good. Glad you found yourself a woman who knows what she's doing," he smiled as he got on his four-wheeler. "I'll see you over there, Brock." I nod my head and got on Spirit. I rode up to the gate to my dogs' fence and let them out. They followed me as I rode Spirit over to Tracey's ranch. He was on his quarter horse and his two heelers were out. "Alright we need to get twenty in that holding pen, where the semi-trailer is."

"Okay sounds good," I quickly pull out my phone and checked for anything from Cass. There was one text from her and one from Paul.

Paul: Hey hope you're enjoying your time off. I'll see you next Monday.

Me: So far so good. My kids get to meet Cass in person this week. Cass is coming over and we're going to a rodeo that'll be on Wednesday, and she'll be barrel racing.

I hit send and go to the text from Cass.

Cass: Hey just crossed the South Dakota border.

Me: Okay just message me when you turn onto Palisades Lane.

I close out of that conversation when Paul messaged me back.

Paul: Sounds like fun. Tell her good luck for me.

Me: I will.

I check the time and see it's already nine-thirty. I kick Spirit's sides and we rode out to the pasture. We start to round up the cattle when I felt my phone buzz. I call to Tracey, telling him that I had to answer my phone. He nodded and sent out his dogs to help. I sent my dogs to do the same thing when I stop Spirit and took out my phone. I saw a new message from Cass and checked the time. It was almost noon. 'Holy shit!' I thought to myself as I go to the text.