One Summer At The Ranch: The Wyoming Cowboy / A Family for the Rugged Rancher / The Man Who Had Everything

“But I am listening, Mom.”

“Sure you are,” Carson encouraged him. “The trick is to use your heels at exactly the same time you call out. Try a louder voice the next time.”

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“Then you keep trying until it does. Did I ever tell you about the first time I learned to ride a bull?”

“No. What happened?”

“I was training for the junior bull-riding competition. It was awful. I got unseated so fast every time, I was ready to cry.”

“Did you?” came the solemn question.

“Almost. But then I looked at my grandpa. He was just standing there by the gate with a smile, telling me to try it again.”

“What did you do?”

“I got so mad, I walked back behind the barrier and climbed on another bull. When the gate opened, I concentrated on what I’d learned, and guess what? I stayed on long enough for the other cowboys watching to clap.”

“I bet your grandpa was happy.”

“Yup, but not as happy as I was.”

“I think I’ll wait a little while before I try again,” he announced.

Carson understood Johnny’s sentiments well enough. He’d been there and done that many times before. “That’s fine. We’re in no hurry.”

Tracy drew up along the other side of her son. “I hope you don’t wait too long. We’re coming to the forest.”

Carson could sense her desire for Johnny to conquer this moment. It managed to fire her son who got a determined look on his cute face. All of a sudden they heard a loud giddyup rend the air and Goldie took off trotting. Johnny let out a yelp.

“Pull on the reins and she’ll stop.”

To Carson’s delight, Johnny had the presence of mind to follow through and ended up doing everything right. He turned his pony toward them. “She minded me.”

“Yup.” Carson couldn’t be more proud if Johnny were his own son. “Now she knows who’s boss.”

“You were amazing, honey!”

“Thanks.”

When Tracy beamed like that, her beauty took Carson’s breath. She stared at him through glistening eyes. “You’ve worked magic with him.”

“He’s your son, don’t forget.”

“I can’t take any credit for this. His confidence level is through the roof. How do I thank you?”

“With that smile, you already have.”

“Hey, you guys—aren’t you coming?”

Johnny’s question broke the odd stillness that had suddenly enveloped them. Both their shoulders shook with laughter at the same time. “What’s the hurry?” Carson called out when he could find his voice.

“I want to keep riding.”

“You mean you’re not tired yet?”

“Tired? No way! Come on! Goldie wants to keep going.”

“We’re coming. Since you’re in the lead, we’ll continue to follow you.”

“What if I get lost?”

“Hey, partner—we can’t get lost. This is my back yard.”

“Back yard!” Johnny laughed hysterically. “You’re so funny, Carson.”

He blinked. “No one in the world has ever said that to me before.”

“Sometimes you really are,” Tracy concurred. “As my son has found out, it’s a very appealing side of you.”

Carson felt an adrenalin rush. Is that what you think too, Tracy?

“Mom? How come you guys keep talking?”

He heard her clear her throat. “Because we’re waiting for you to get going.” She darted Carson an amused glance.

“Oh.”

With less trouble than he’d demonstrated earlier, Johnny turned the palomino around and headed into the forest. The three of them were on the move once more, this time with Tracy at Carson’s side. But after they got into the thick of the pines, the trail became less discernible in spots. Carson pulled alongside Johnny. His mother stayed right behind them.

“Seen any bad guys yet?”

“No, but I’m keeping a lookout.”

“Got your mustang handy?”

“It’s in my pocket. How far is the lake?”

“We wind up the slope for two more miles.”

“What’s it called?”

“I call it Secret Lake.”

“Who else knows about it?”

“Only my best friends.”