|You had been working as a stable person at your local ranch. It was honest work. You’d clean stalls, pick hoofs, whatever needed to get done.|

The sun beaded down on you, radiating off of your hot skin. You hauled the saddle atop of Dukes’ back, expecting Cooper to show up any minute now. He was never showed up this late. You pulled the cinch tight, throwing the billet up into its keeper. You waited patiently for him to arrive, tapping the sole of your boot against the dusky ground.