Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series Natalie Bright (most popular novels .TXT) 📖

She didn’t want to fight anymore. But how would this work? How could they ensure it wouldn’t happen again?

“We’ll have to talk, Lank. I mean really communicate. Honesty, no games, no temper, no teasing. Can you do that?”

“Naw. I don’t want to do that. On the drive over here, I was thinking about asking you to hire me back. That’s what I had planned, but I’ve since changed my mind.”

“You have?” Carli felt her stomach fall to her knees. She looked at the ground so he couldn’t see the disappointment in her eyes. Lank leaving for good? She’d really done it this time.

“I got an offer from a buddy in New Mexico. Think I’ll take the job.”

“You will?”

“Yeah, it’s obvious you don’t want me around. I just cause you a lot of trouble and I don’t understand why. I think it’s best for me to leave.”

He stepped closer and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. She swallowed the lump in her throat. His burning eyes bore a hole right into her soul.

“New Mexico?” was all she could manage to murmur.

“I’ll miss you,” he muttered back, and then he broke into a wide grin. “Not really! Buck called me last night. You’re still my boss and I’m still the thorn in your behind.” He laughed. A deep throaty, belly laugh.

She felt irritation from his mocking tone, but then she saw the humor in those eyes, and she couldn’t help but feel relieved. “Is this your idea of better communication? Lank Torres, you’re an idiot.” She slapped his shoulder.

“What are you kids laughing about?” asked Buck as he joined them.

“I told her you hired me back for the second time.” Lank raised his eyebrows and displayed that stupid smirk of his.

“Oh, right.” Buck turned a sheepish grin to Carli. “Sorry, Little Jean. I know you fired him again, but we really need him around here. He knows this ranch like the back of his hand. I should have checked with you first, and I’m sorry.”

Carli looked from one to the other. They both apologized. That’s two apologies in one day from two Texas cowboys. She was on a roll. “You’re both idiots.” She couldn’t be mad, not with the look Lank was giving her now. They all laughed.

“What’s on the agenda today, boss?” Lank looked at Buck. Then he quickly swung his face around to Carli. “I mean, boss?” His head swiveled from one to the other and back again.

“Are we going for a ride today, Carli?” Lexi nudged her horse over to where the rest of them stood.

“Yes, ma’am. Let me get saddled up.” Carli hurried to the saddle house.

When Carli was ready, she jogged Beau next to Lexi's horse and together they edged out of headquarters, taking a path through the horse pasture towards the creek. Leading the way Carli said, “I want to stay close to the road. I can’t take a long ride today, Lexi, but at least we can enjoy the time we have. And the weather’s so nice. Not much wind.”

“Yeah.”

“I think Sally likes you. She goes really smooth for you.”

The girl smiled just a little and patted the horse.

“Lexi, what do you know about the guy that drove you out here? Have you known him very long?”

“Not too long.”

“Does he go to your school?”

Lexi hesitated, then said, “Not anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s not in school anymore. He works on cars.”

“How old is he? Did he graduate?”

“Seventeen. He had one more year to go but had to drop out to get a job.”

“Does he live at home?”

“Not anymore. His dad gave him some trouble.”

“Where does he live?”

“With some other guys.”

“Your mom loves you, Lexi. And I worry about you too. That’s why it seems we might ask a lot of questions. It’s not to pry into your business, it’s because we care. People in the world can be mean and are not what they seem to be at times.”

The girl remained silent as she steered Sally down a cow trail into the dry creek bed. They were walking the horses now. It made it easier to talk.

“Have you thought about what you want to do after high school?”

More silence, but finally, she said, “Maybe work with horses? I love animals.”

Carli smiled at her. “Sounds great. You’d be good at it. Maybe I could give you a job here. We’ve got lots of animals.”

“Really? What kind of job?”

Carli was encouraged that Lexi showed a spark of interest.

“Well, I’m not sure yet. I’d have to talk with Buck. Maybe brushing the horses. Maybe giving them a bath. Or feeding. There’s always work to do around a ranch. How about helping me with the riding school if and when I ever get more students?”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

“I told your mom I’d drive you home later. But I’ve got to say, that wasn’t right for you to run off and not tell her where you were going. Sorry if you think I'm butting my nose in your business. She’s your mom and she deserves some respect. I know you want your freedom. I remember what it was like. But she only wants the best for you.”

With her head hanging down, Lexi said, “I know. But she doesn’t let me have any fun.”

“You are so lucky to have a mom who cares about you. You’ll understand that one day. You can learn a lot from others around you or you can close your ears and make your own mistakes.”

“What do you mean?”

Carli led the way as they crossed a flat stretch of grass to just off the side of the road. Where they stopped under a couple of trees afforded a bit of shade, the only oasis for miles around. They didn’t dismount, just got comfy in their saddles. Carli hated to lecture the young girl because she felt like they were building trust. She didn’t want to run her off before they could even become friends.

“The best example I could give you, Lexi...or maybe she’s the worst