Leaving Home by Chase, A. (life books to read .txt) 📗

Peter wrinkled his nose, then nodded. “Sorry, I’d forgotten about that. You know you

didn’t have to make dinner for us. We’re capable of doing it ourselves. I mean, Randy and Les do it when you’re gone.”

She patted Peter on the head as she walked by. “I know, but you’re still too skinny. I

wanted to make sure you’ll actually eat something.”

Chaz shook his head. “It must be nice to have someone to worry about you.”

“You do, don’t you? I thought you said you had family in Arizona.”

“Oh I do, but I meant having someone right there to take care of you when you need it,

or even when you don’t think you do.” Chaz smiled. “My family’s great and all, but they’re not with me. I don’t see them as often as I should.”

“We do what we can for each other because we’re the only family we have.” Peter

gestured between himself and Margie. “The others feel the same way.”

Margie patted Peter’s shoulder before leaving. Chaz looked at the casserole steaming in

the middle of the table. It looked like the same chicken and rice stuff his mom had made so many Sundays while he was growing up.

“This looks good,” he commented as he reached for the spoon to scoop some out onto

his plate. He held out his hand to take Peter’s. “How much do you want?”

“Two scoops. She made some beans as well, and lemon meringue pie for dessert.” Peter

grinned.

“Now I’m really glad I decided to stay here. Good food and great company. The last bit

of my vacation is definitely looking up.” Chaz toasted Peter with his glass of milk before taking a drink.

Peter rolled his eyes, but lifted his glass to Chaz. They settled in to eat their dinner, and Chaz made sure Peter’s glass stayed filled. He also made sure there was always food on his plate, until Peter complained about the horse not being able to carry him if he ate any more.

He helped Peter clean up the kitchen, then went back to his room to change his clothes.

Thank goodness he had some clean jeans and a shirt. He pulled his boots out of his gear bag.

Good thing he’d packed them the last time he’d stopped at home. After Chaz had got

www.total-e-bound.com

LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 69

dressed, he went into the bathroom and took another hit. He needed to make sure he had a

cushion of pain-free time to be able to ride. He made his way back to the kitchen where Peter was waiting for him.

“Come on. Let’s get going.”

Chaz followed Peter out to one of the barns. He made a mental note to check the ranch

out tomorrow, and see what the operation looked like. Chaz let his gaze wander down to

ogle Peter’s ass as Peter walked in front of him.

“Here we are.”

They walked into one of the smaller buildings, and Chaz glanced around. There were

six occupied stalls, or at least that’s what Chaz thought, since there were six horses hanging their heads over the doors. Yet a plaintive whinny came from the seventh stall, drawing him over to it.

He peered over the half-door to see a pony standing there. It stared at him like he was a wolf come to eat it.

“Hey there, short stuff. What’s your name?” He was about to reach out to pat it on the

nose, but Peter grabbed his arm to stop him.

“Don’t try touching Buttercup. He’ll take your hand off. The only one who can touch

him is Les. Not sure why, but it might have something to do with the fact that Buttercup

loves Sam.” Peter explained as he tugged Chaz away from the pony.

“Who’s Sam?”

Peter pointed to where a large chestnut brown horse hung its head over the door. “It’s

Hardin Stables’ Whisky Sam. He’s a Hanoverian, which is a warm-blooded breed. They’re

used mostly in dressage and showjumping. Les used to ride Sam in shows, but Sam was

injured at the same time as Les, and neither one of them can compete anymore.”

After approaching Sam’s stall, Chaz held out his hand, and the horse sniffed it. Peter

joined him, then put a carrot on his palm.

“He wants one of these. All of the animals in this barn are a bit spoilt. They aren’t really working horses, but Les keeps them around anyway. He has the unique idea that not every

creature or human on the ranch needs to be useful. He likes taking in strays.”

Sam grabbed the carrot off Chaz’s hand, making Chaz laugh.

“Is that why he told you to let me stay here? Is he taking me in like all the others?”

www.total-e-bound.com

LEAVING HOME T.A. Chase 70

Peter shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t really ask Les why he does what he does. If he wants

me to know, he’ll tell me. We’ll take the two grey mares at the other end of the barn.”

“Where are their saddles?”

“They’re in the tack room. You want the saddles labelled June and Rosanne. After you

bring those out, go back to grab their grooming kits.” Peter pointed to a blue door on the right side of the aisle way.

Chaz did as he was told and, while he was getting all the equipment they needed, Peter

brought the mares out, putting them in the cross-ties. Chaz read the tag on his mare’s halter.

“So you’re June, huh? Why am I getting the feeling that someone on this ranch likes

Johnny Cash?”

Peter smiled. “You’re right. Les’ favourite musician in the world is Johnny Cash. A lot

of the horses on the ranch are named after Cash songs, in some way.”

Chaz patted June before grooming her. He made sure she was thoroughly brushed,

then settled the blanket on her back. He put the saddle on, tightening the cinch around her stomach.

“Does she have any bad habits, like sucking in air?” He wanted to check before he

mounted. He didn’t want to end up on his ass or his head because the cinch wasn’t tight

enough.

“Not June. She’s a perfect lady.” Peter finished putting Rosanne’s tack on, then he

gestured for Chaz to follow him out of the barn. “We can mount