11. Amos

ELEVEN

AMOS

“Yeah, we’re about halfway home,” I tell Trey on the other end of the line. When we left Texas, true to my word, we stopped for fuel, food, and to make sure the bison were handling the travel alright. The last time I made this trek, I drove straight through, stayed at Clay’s after showering and eating, getting enough sleep, and then I was on the road first thing in the morning to take the long haul back. He and Sienna were just getting on their feet; he held down the farm for me, and I was on my way. This time around, I took one look at my sister. Her pleading eyes asked me to go along with her ruse. Though, I had no fucking idea it would entail looking at a pottery wheel that was a waste of time.

Genevieve spilled the beans the minute we were on the road, telling me exactly what my sister was after, and she said it worked in our favor, so it was hard to be upset with her. I laughed. Leave it Sienna to be a little matchmaker. Maybe she’s been hanging out with the Johnson bunch a little too much, especially Mrs. Johnson. Damn, we’ve been fortunate to have the community surround us when Dad passed shortly after Mom. I had no idea what to do with a teenage girl, when I was still a boy myself with a ranch to run. I’d have to take off, head to auctions, work long hours during the summer, and everything else that came along with our family birthright. There were a few offers from some out-of-towners to buy the homestead, but no fucking way I’d let it go. I knew Sienna’s passion wouldn’t be working on the ranch full-time. The sole reason I pushed for her to go away to college was to figure out what she wanted in life. It didn’t hurt Trey stuck back, let her live her life and then get back with Sienna when she moved back home.

“You need to stop, stop. The bison will be fine for an hour or so. I know it’s not ideal, but you falling asleep behind the wheel isn’t any better,” Trey responds. I can hear the animals in the background.

“I’m going to. My passenger princess is currently conked out. The GPS is putting us home way past my bedtime, and it’ll probably be near dawn if I stop for a while.” I’ve got my phone to my ear, trying to stay quiet in order not to wake up Genevieve .

“Good. Everything’s going great at the ranch. You’ve got this place running like a well-oiled machine, brother. The ranch hands don’t need direction. Not even sure you need me here to oversee anything.” It’s taken years to assemble the crew. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Still, you worry, and that worry does not subside unless you have someone like family to check on everything just in case.

“Appreciate that, but I gotta tell you, after this load of bison makes it to Arrowleaf, I’m done for the time being. I’d like to relax at some point in life. Living to work is not living at all. Plus, I got a woman to think about now.”

“Happy for you. The last thing any of us want is to see you rambling around in that big ole house on a big ole farm and doing it by yourself. You gonna ask her to marry you?” Trey starts yammering.

“Did we grow pussies, and I wasn’t aware of it?” I question since we’re not ones to sit in a circle and talk about our feelings.

“Fuck you. Genevieve is a great woman.” He goes to bat for my woman.

“Know that. Also know she’ll be the first one who gets to hear me say those words. I never pressured you with Sienna. I’d appreciate if you don’t push me.” Sienna has our mother’s engagement ring that she received from her mom’s mom, our great-grandmother. We divided the set, and I kept the wedding band. Sienna also got the rest of Mom’s jewelry as well as our great-grandmother’s, not that there’s a lot. While we have a decent amount of money from inheritance and working the land, our family was by no means flush with funds. They lived a simple life and didn’t need the frills along the way. A bracelet from grandma, earrings and a necklace from Mom, and an anniversary ring is all that’s left.

“You’re right. Didn’t mean to piss you off,” Trey says, closing out the conversation on my future plans for Genevieve and myself. Shit, I’ve already thought about her wearing my ring forever. The only thing I need to do is find an engagement ring that will go along with the wedding band. There are inset diamonds all the way around the band, and after shopping with Genny, I’ve gotten a feel for her style. I’ll be heading to the next town over to the jewelry store soon enough.

“You’re good. I’m gonna let you go. Genny’s moving around, and I’d rather she stayed asleep while I’m napping myself.”

“Drive safe. I’ll make sure everything’s good to go here after feeding time, then head back to my place. Don’t worry about waking up early tomorrow. My brothers and I will head over first thing in the morning, get shit going, and see how the bison are doing.” They’ll be in quarantine for the next few weeks. Tully will have to come out, too. Hopefully, Trey has that all set up with his sister-in-law. I’d be damned happy to have one more thing off my plate.

“Thanks.” We hang up the phone as I come upon a rest area. Most of the truckers are already bedded down seeing as how the sun is setting. I merge to my area, park in the allotted spot, and through me hopping out of the truck and checking on the bison before climbing back in, Genevieve sleeps. I push the center console up, unbuckle her belt, and pull her into my arms as I recline my seat. Shit is damn uncomfortable, but for a few hours, it’ll do.