CHAPTER 2: AUGUST

_ EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON _

Someone please pinch me, I've gotta be dreamin'. Am I really in London? The stiff back from the long plane ride should be enough to confirm it. [Sigh] Ooh-wee , I can't remember the last time I sat that long, maybe never. Even though my ass is sore – and not for the reason I'd like it to be, it will all be worth it by the time these eight days are up and I have checked off every box on my list, especially the one at the top of that list – taking a man to my bed and giving him a wild ride he won't forget.

As a third-generation cattle rancher, I am the second oldest of my three brothers, Elijah, Duke, and Presley, and my adopted sister Cori. My daddy and pappy taught me everything I know in hopes to one day call Schuster ranch my own: the ranch flows through my veins. I've devoted every pain staking day to keep my family's dream alive, and I have. With the wisdom of my pappy and support from my momma, I ensure the future Schuster generations have a place to rest their heads, and a business they can be proud of.

My younger brother Duke and momma organized this trip as a surprise birthday vacation. She's been hounding me relentlessly to take time off, but she herself knows the ranch doesn't have days off. Animals need fed, and vetted, fencing is always on the list to check and maintain, emergencies happen at any time – all hours of the day, and to top things off, our foreman informed us of his retirement after thirty-one years with the ranch, leaving us shorthanded. It's been two weeks and I have yet to fill his shoes. Is there double overtime pay for extra overtime? Not in this business. Talk about running myself into an early grave with these hours.

Momma reminds me all the time that's what happened to my dad – she's worried I'll be just like him. In this line of business, you gotta do, what you gotta do to survive, and if that means going to bed at midnight because there is a storm dumping two plus feet of snow then waking up at two or three in the morning to check the livestock and property for damages, so be it.

In spite of all the hours, momma and Duke sat me down and sprang this trip on me, no warning. Apparently turning thirty is a big deal for some, not for me. It's just another damn day. Once the initial shock wore off and the plan began to unfold, I found myself searching and making lists of places to explore in my free time. I pray the ranch doesn't go up in flames while I'm gone.

‘I made it to London!' Is the caption I put with the picture of an aerial view of London from the plane's window as we descend on the city. Of course momma is the first to respond in the family group chat with, ‘ glad to see you made it! Have fun! That's momma, always the positive peach, no matter what. I owe her big time for her gettin' this trip together for me – and I'm certain a coffee cup as a gift isn't going to cut it. I'm not one to take selfies, however, I find a good spot in the airport by a London sign and snap a picture. I send it off in our group chat then pocket my phone and head for baggage claim.

[August] "I'm in fricken London, baby! Yee-haw !" Do you think I care about the scowls thrown my way for being loud? Heck no. I'm as bold as they get. Ain't no better way to be.

The bustling streets of London unfold before me the second I step off the plane and enter a taxi. Rich historic buildings intermix with the modern industrial vibe as we travel along the Thames. And here I thought Jackson, Wyoming to be a big city; it's a tiny village compared to this place. The air carried a mixture of unfamiliar scents and the distant murmur of a city far removed from the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. But I'm not here just for the city's charm; I'm here for my favorite NFL football team I've cheered for with my dad since my diaper days.

The Buffalo Bucks are playing for the first time ever at the stadium in London. And this cowboy gets to experience it first-hand. I wish my dad were here to cherish this moment with me. Who am I kidding? Eddy Schuster leaving the ranch for eight days, willingly. You're outta your ever-lovin' mind. This trip isn't just for me; good ol' dad is ever present in my heart during this game.

About a mile from the stadium, the taxi parked in front of the hotel I'll call home for the next few days. After the game concludes, I venture to Edinburgh and stay for a few more days, play in the rain, take in the midlands, and what I'm most excited about – getting up close and personal with a farm of highland cows. Hey, this trip can't be all fun and games, I had to throw some sort of ranch life in there before I go crazy. And who knows, maybe I'll find a good reason to get the livestock on our ranch. My sister would for sure love these gentle beasts, it be our way to bond over our smelly barn.

As soon as I enter the automatic sliding doors of the hotel, I'm immersed in other fans ready to check in. I soak in the energy of the fans chatting and laughing inside the tight space of the hotel lobby. The sea of Bucks and Vipers fans decked out in their pregame gear as they make no-nonsense smack talk has me grinning ear-to-ear. Us Americans, we do things a bit different than the English might be used to. Let's see if London can handle it.

In my room, I set things down and immediately get smacked in the face by the transformative landscape of Tower Bridge outside my window. Holy fricken shit, that is a pretty sight to see. First things first, I'm in need of a hot shower to soothe these aching muscles and a warm meal to fill my hungry belly. Then it's time to unpack, finish my sight-seeing list, and prepare for tomorrow's big event.

Saturday – Day one in London – Game Day

Ticket in hand, Bucks jersey and lucky socks on, and my dad's lucky rabbits' foot keychain in my back pocket, I follow the small crowd of fans to the stadium, excitement bubbling in my chest with every step I take. The prospect of attending an international game with my favorite NFL team is an absolute dream come true.

[Fan #1] "Let's go Bucks!"

[Fan #2] "Buck's Mafia all the way, baby!"

[Fan #3] "Hell yeah! Let's goooo!"

The group of fans began chanting and dancing on the sidewalk as the stadium loomed ahead, a colossal structure pulsating with energy and igniting a unique liveliness only a football fan would understand. Waiting patiently in line I eventually make it to the counter, excitement coursing through me with every passing minute. I present my ticket to the attendant, a young British woman with a bubbly personality and an aptitude for blowing bubbles with her gum.

[August] "Hey there! I'm ready to see my Buffalo Bucks kick some Viper tail to-day." Her smile told me she's heard this a time or two already today and could care less about the event. Nonetheless, she paints on a professional attitude.

[Ticket Attendant] Welcome to London, I hope you get to enjoy the sights whilst you're here. Allow me to scan your ticket please."

I hand her my ticket, my smile faltering as her brow furrows when the ticket scanner doesn't work. She examines the ticket then frowns.

[Ticket Attendant] "I'm sorry, but this ticket is not valid. It seems it's a forgery."

[August] "A f ake? You've got to be kiddin' me. There's no way. " The disappointment hit me like a punch in the gut. "I swear this is a valid ticket, my brother bought it for me as a birthday gift months ago." A supervisor walks over to the attendant's side.

[Male supervisor] "I'd be happy to assist with this. May I see your ticket?" The attendant hands him my ticket and he spots the error. [Upset] "Ah, yes, we have another one, I see. See this here?" He points to the ticket handling website at the top of the page. "Unfortunately, this is a scammer website mocking the original ticket site. You are not the only one we've seen with one of these today, I'm afraid."

I remove my hat, run a hand through my hair and let out a frustrated exhale before placing my hat back.

[August] "What do I do now? I still wanna watch the game? I will never get this chance again." That isn't the total truth, it's not like I'm dying or anything, but this is a one-time only experience in the making.

[Male supervisor] "I do apologize for the inconvenience. One moment while we look up your requested seat number." The attendant taps on the computer screen then points to the location. "That specific seat is claimed, however, we do have one available three seats down for six-hundred and ninety pounds if you'd like it."

[August flabbergasted] "Six hundred – that's like, what? Nine hundred in US? That's crazy! I can't do that! Do you have anything cheaper?"

He names off a few different sections, each one getting cheaper in price, but further out of prime viewing range. I need to save my money for other things this week. Sure, it be cool to watch the team play, but staying in my hotel for the next eight days because I'm broke off my ass isn't worth it.

[August bummed] "Ehhh, I'll have to pass. Thanks for checkin'."

[Male supervisor] "No problem. And be sure to contact your bank to rectify the ticket charge."

[August sighs] "Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to do that."

Damn it. This sucks worse than havin' your foot stepped on by a horse and trust me, that shit hurts. My dream of watching the Bucks battle the Vipers at their first international game fell flatter than a pancake. [Grumpy] I'm never lettin' my brother live this down . I should'a known better than to trust this ticket, hell, I'm surprised the hotel had me in their system. [Lighter mood] Maybe it was momma who booked that. [Sigh] At least the lady at the merchandise counter was sympathetic to my predicament and gave me a souvenir cup on the house.

Stranded at the stadium, I rake a hand through my hair and let out a breath as I stare into the gray sky above contemplating my next move. Do I head back to the hotel and hope they're showing the game? I didn't see any flyers and the front desk staff didn't mention a lick about it.

Phone in hand I scroll to the mafia fan page in hopes of finding someone who is having a celebration in the area. There's gotta be a tailgate party or something happening nearby, right? The Bucks mafia wouldn't skip out on that. It's like our ritualistic holiday every Sunday, or Saturday in this case. But damn it. I've made it this far. I'm not giving up. I wonder if the stadium staff would give me a pass. That's it. I'm not one for begging, but I will if it means I can get in and watch. I cross my fingers as I walk back to the ticket area and give the attendant my sweetest drawl.

[August] "Hey there pretty lady. Is there any way I can sweet-talk my way in? I'm pretty good at cleaning up messes. I'll happily be a custodian for a day if you let me." I add a wink in for good measure. She her cheeks redden with a sympathetic shine in her eyes.

[Ticket Attendant] "Well. I can't get you inside, even with how adorable that hat is on you. Rules are rules." She scans her phone, taps a few times then shows me a social media page. "This place here is your next best option; It's called Tally's Pub; you can't miss it. Their post says they have a big viewing screen, appetizers, and a lively atmosphere, and it only costs a tenner to get in."

Hmmm. That's a heck of a lot cheaper than the nosebleed seats at the stadium. And I'll do better with keeping up on the player's stats this way.

[August] "Thanks, ma'am! You have yourself a wonderful day!" I tip my hat, a better mood immediately consuming me as I race down the sidewalk to the tube station.

Tally's Pub, here I come.