Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

Caitlyn shrugged off the uncomfortable edginess that poked the underside of her ribs. Ignoring the constant pall from her lack of personal direction, she rolled down the window of her silver truck. Her parents had given her the used vehicle when she went off to college—the second time. Brisk pine-infused air freshened the warm, muggy cab, bringing with it a resolve to find her path. But first, she wanted to fix things with her brother. Caitlyn took a deep breath and let it bolster the confidence she needed to face him.

Friday night, Dylan had been furious—as usual—and forgiveness looked as far away as ever. Caitlyn understood his anger, but wished that he would consider her point of view, too. She hoped he’d let her explain herself today. She reached for the thermal mug nestled in the cup-holder and pulled in a long sip of her strong black coffee. The stout brew buoyed her determination as she maneuvered around the twists and turns through the woods on the way to her family’s log-cabin home.

The sun was up enough to warm the eastern logs of the house by the time she drove past the driveway and continued down to the barnyard beyond. Dylan was already out and hard at work, his breath puffing like a cigar in the cool morning air. Caitlyn parked beside Dylan’s mount, hitched to a rail next to the arena gate. She raised her hand in greeting to her brother, who was bent over, holding up one of his horse’s feet. He pounded a nail through the iron shoe and out the side wall of the hoof, then deftly clipped the sharp point off. He barely gave Caitlyn a quick nod in response.

“Good morning.” Caitlyn schooled her features to disguise the apprehension she felt. She was tired of his scowl and perpetual surly attitude, when all she wanted was to smooth things out. She pressed on, “Did Sampson throw a shoe?”

“Nope.” Dylan’s simmering anger percolated under the tone of his one-word answer.

Caitlyn turned off her engine and unclipped her seatbelt. She rested her chin on her arms in the open window. “Just tightening things up?” Dylan responded with a glower at her rhetorical question. The beard he’d grown for winter did nothing to hide his expression, and his dark eyes, the same shade of mahogany as hers, sparked with irritation.

Caitlyn sighed and opened her door. She hopped down to the ground from her seat. Renegade followed her out, his red-tawny fur glowing in the sunrise. “What can I help you with this morning?” She grabbed her straw cowboy hat from the truck and settled it on her head. Her long, dark-brown hair hung in a single thick braid down her back.

“What are you doing here? This isn’t your ranch anymore, remember?” Dylan placed the hoof-nail hammer in a slot on his shoeing stand before moving it out of his way. He smoothed a rough hand down his horse’s neck and reached to check the saddle cinch. He kept his broad back to Caitlyn as he tightened it.

“Come on, Dylan. Aren’t you tired of this same old argument? This will always be our family’s ranch, and I’m a part of that.” Caitlyn patted Sampson’s haunches. “I’m more than happy to do my share of the work. I just don’t want to live here anymore.”

“You’ve made that crystal clear. Don’t you have chores you should be doing at your own place?” Dylan exchanged Sampson’s halter with a bridle, sliding the bit carefully into his horse’s mouth.

Caitlyn clamped down on a defensive retort. She swallowed. “Where are you riding to?”

“Checking on the cows.”

“Want me to saddle up and come out with you? Or is there something else you need done?” Caitlyn crossed her arms over her chest.

Dylan yanked his leather work gloves on and gathered his reins to the horn. He climbed into the saddle and turned his horse to face her. “I’m sure you can find something to do while I’m gone.” With that, he spun Sampson around and urged him into a lope down the path towards the distant cattle pastures.

Caitlyn sighed. “Well, Ren, there are always stalls to clean. Let’s get to work.” She stepped off toward the big red barn. Her boots crunched the gravel, and Renegade kept pace beside her. Pausing inside the door for her eyes to adjust to the dimness, Caitlyn inhaled the familiar and comforting blend of wood shavings, horse sweat, leather, and manure. Whiskey, her bay gelding, knickered at her as she entered, and his welcome made her smile. Caitlyn was saving to build a shelter and corral at her new property so she could bring her horse home. Until then, Whiskey would have to bunk here.

Caitlyn approached his stall, and her horse poked his head out of the opening to greet her. She ran her fingers over his broad cheek and scratched behind his black ear. He stretched his neck farther over the stall door and sniffed at Renegade. Their noses touched, and Whiskey twitched his velvet lips. Caitlyn noted Dylan had already fed the horses, so she went to find a rake and wheelbarrow. Eight stalls later, and as many trips to the manure pile, Caitlyn finished mucking. She was guzzling a cold drink from the hose when Dylan returned.

“You’re still here?” Dylan swung his leg over the saddle and jumped down. He tethered Sampson to the hitching post, and with his hands on his hips, he turned to glare at Caitlyn. His favorite black cowboy hat lent shade to his already dark expression.

“I just finished cleaning out the stalls for you.” Caitlyn pressed the red lever of the water spigot down to shut it off.

“For me? I thought you said this was still the family ranch. Make up your mind, Caitlyn. You can’t have it both ways.”

“You know what I mean, Dylan. When are you gonna let this go? I’m getting really sick of this pettiness.”

“You’re welcome to leave anytime.” Dylan’s expression matched his harsh tone,