Carrillo's Cowboy by Tee Smith (classic novels to read .txt) 📗

It keeps them in clean clothes. You want to sit there and throw accusations around about my parenting? I am a single parent, and a single parent raised me. What gives you the right to question my parenting abilities?”

“I wasn’t saying you’re a bad parent. I do apologise if that’s what you think. I was just saying it’s good for boys to have a man around. A permanent fixture, not some cowboy that breezes in and out of their lives.”

“Some cowboy?” She stammered over the words as they fell from her lips. “And who are you suggesting should fill the position, huh?” She popped her head to one side, fighting back the urge to scoff at him as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “You? Do you think you should apply for the position?” She knew her words sounded accusatory, but she didn’t care. “Don’t they teach you at teacher’s school not to bring your issues to the classroom, Mr. Olsen?”

“They’re not my issues, Mrs. Green. My only concern is for Austin.”

Springing to her feet, she didn’t bother trying to keep her voice low. “Well, sticking your nose in other people’s business seems like a huge issue to me.” She raised her hand and pointed a finger at his chest. “You have no right asking my daughter about our personal lives. You also have no right accusing me of . . . whatever it is you’re trying to accuse me of.”

Mr. Olsen rose to his feet and met her eyes, his appearing glassy. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Mrs. Green. I simply wanted to bring the issue to your attention.”

“Well, now you have. Is there anything else?”

“No. Nothing else. I just . . .” again, his words hung in the air as he shifted from one foot to the other. “Perhaps you can talk to Austin, get to the bottom of what’s causing the problems with his school performance.”

Turning her back, Callie walked briskly toward the door before turning on her heel to face the man once again. “I’ve a good mind to complain to the principal about this,” she fumed, allowing the heavy classroom door to swing closed at her back. No one had made her this angry since Adam had tried to tell her she owed him for allowing her to live in his house. Who the hell did this man think he was? Telling her that she shouldn’t be with Cody because he wasn’t a stable influence in her kids’ lives. If anyone was at fault here, it was Adam, promising their son the world and delivering nothing.

Chapter Eleven

Rodeos were for the city folk, the “wannabes,” a wise old cowboy once told him. “Sure, go ahead and break your neck if you want to entertain the masses. But take a good look around at all those shiny cowboy hats and boots. They are cheering you on; it’s fun for them. Then they go back to their boring little lives, in their boring little offices, and wish they could have half the life you do. Out here on the land.”

The memory reverberated in his mind as he watched Austin trot around the yard on Kimba. He had wanted to ride the bulls, like the big boys. He’d even won a ribbon or two in the junior stakes. The broncos were his passion. He felt it was a honed skill, far more so than bull-riding. He’d happily leave that for the adventure seekers.

“Lean in further, and tug the rein to the left when you want the horse to turn,” he called out to the boy. He’d been giving lessons when he could. Callie and Grace were both proficient riders, but for some reason, Austin had resisted it. Until now.

“You’re a good teacher; he is going really well.” Callie smiled as she drew up beside him and rested her forearms on the fence.

He smiled broadly and draped an arm around Callie’s waist. “He told me he wants to ride a bull, so I told him he needs to learn to ride a horse first. He’s good. A natural. I guess riding’s in his blood.” He squeezed her closer and dropped a kiss onto her hair. The scent of her shampoo filled his nostrils, and he closed his eyes briefly, taking it in.

“Argh,” Austin’s cries pulled him from his moment.

“Just pull back gently. The horse can tell if you’re scared. Just relax,” Callie called out to her son.

Following his mother’s instructions, Austin pulled the horse to a halt in front of them both.

“I think you’re almost ready to go for a ride out to the creek,” Cody stroked the horse's nose as it let out a soft bray.

“I think the bike is easier,” Austin let out an anxious laugh.

“That’s because you feel like you have greater control. As you ride more, you learn how to make your horse work with you; it needs to trust you, know you are in control and that you won’t hurt her. Then you’ll find a piece of metal can’t compare to the real thing.”

Austin passed an uneasy glance to his mother.

“You’re doing good out there, mate,” she encouraged. “Keep it up.”

“Wanna go again?” Cody asked. “Do a few more rounds, then I’ll saddle up, and we can go out of the yard together.” He had him riding Kimba, Grace’s steed, knowing the mare had a good temperament and was used to a younger, less experienced rider. He hoped Grace wouldn’t mind too much. It was always hard to know with those two. One minute they seemed to love each other and were looking out for each other, the next they were like mortal enemies. He hadn’t had any siblings, so he didn’t know, but he suspected that was somewhat normal.

“I love that you got him riding. I haven’t been able to get him in the saddle for years.” Callie smiled up at him. “My dad used to lead the kids around the yard. Grace loved it right from the get-go. Adam would tell