“Yes. He did. It’s not that. I just think—no, I know—that I’m ready for a change. Colt has this riding school he’s starting. I think I want to work with the kids out there.”
Lucy pursed her lips at me as she put the water on to boil. “Are you serious? Are you sure about putting your eggs into one basket like that?” She eyed me with concern.
“I am. I know I sound crazy.”
Lucy pulled a little mint chocolate out of her pocket. “A little something from the conference meeting yesterday.”
I took it from her gladly. I needed a little sweetness before I delivered the bitter news to my boss.
“No, I don’t think you’re crazy, by the way. You’re following your heart. Maybe just ease into it. You don’t know how long it’s going to take before he gets it going. Don’t you need to learn to ride first?”
“I mean, yes and no. I used to ride when I was a little girl. I used to get lessons.”
“Oh, wow. You really are meant to be with a cowboy.” Lucy elbowed me as I poured our coffees.
I shrugged. “I’ll take it.”
“Well, you can sign me up for the first lesson once it gets going. I want to see these trails. Plus, you know I love sticking my nose in other people’s business.”
“Yeah you do,” I giggled. “What do you think I should tell Donald?”
“That you want to work part-time. You are more valuable than anyone in this department. Even if you don’t want the promotion, he would be a fool to let you go.”
“I know, but I already accepted the job. You still want that prison advocacy role if I can create it?”
“No. I don’t want you to get me a job. I’m happy right where I am. Like I said, I was just giving you hell because I could.”
I shook my head. “Lucy, you are something else, you know that?”
“Yes, I’m aware, honey.” She sauntered away with her coffee in hand.
I took my mug of coffee with me and rapped my knuckles on Donald’s door. It was open.
“Come in. My door is always open, you know that. Please take a seat.”
I closed the door behind me. “I feel like this is a closed-door conversation.”
Donald’s face was peering into his computer screen. He was in his normal position, buried under a mountain of paperwork.
“Okay, hit me with it. Got a tough case we need to work on? Training? What is it?”
I fumbled around for the right words.
“I’m moving in a new direction.”
“I quit.”
“It’s time for me to make a change.”
“I’m getting older and…”
I let a moment pass, and that raised concern as Donald looked up at me. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
“Donald. I think you should give the promotion to someone else. I’m quitting. I want to move in a new direction.”
Donald’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes blinked rapidly. I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “You’re leaving us? When and how did this happen? I only just gave you the promotion!” A flabbergasted look crossed his face as he waved his hands in the air.
“Listen. I’m not leaving right away. I’m willing to continue for the next six months. I’ll give you a long lead time. As you know, Donald, this job can take its toll. I want to pursue other things in my thirties, and I feel it’s time.”
Donald’s face started to return to normal. “You’ve met someone, haven’t you? Women always come into my office either for babies or because they’ve met someone.”
I sighed. “Yes, I have met someone. That might be part of it, but I still feel like it’s time for me to go. To move on now.”
“Okay. I will have to find a replacement for you, and that will take some time. Not that you can be replaced.” Donald gave a wry smile. “You are loved in the department, Amber. But I do understand. I have a family of my own, and I sometimes wonder whether I should continue.”
“You do?”
“Yes. It’s a hard slog, and this job can really take its toll on you. But you handle everything in your stride. What will you be doing if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I will be on a ranch, helping out and running horse trail rides for kids. Well, I hope to.”
Donald nodded in appreciation. “That sounds about right. I knew it would have to involve children or something like that.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Hey, you’re welcome. Not much I can do about it. You’ll have a nice little unused vacation pay built up, too, since you never take off.”
“Yes. That will help.”
I smiled and made my way out of the office. I floated out. A new chapter of life was forming for me, and I wanted to run through the office in happiness.
Twenty-Nine
Colt
“Pop, do you think people are going to want to come out here and try this?” I readjusted the brim of my cowboy hat. The Merced sun was showing no mercy to us today.
My father, with his broad hardworking shoulders, bent backward, stretching out his spine. He’d just hand-drilled all the fences together. All the slats were on, and it looked damn good.
“Son, take a look around you. There’s nothing better than what you have here. This is the land I passed on to you so you could do something like this.” He spread his arms wide in reference to the property. “All of those years ago, I knew what it could be. You’ve taken it one step further here.”
He pointed to the arena. “You’re sitting on four hundred and forty acres. I inherited this land from my father, and he from his. This place is sacred, ancestral land. Anyone who comes here feels right at home. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I guess when you put it that way, you’re right. It’s a special place.” I pulled my hat up and wiped the sweat from under my brim, where my hair was slicked to my forehead.
I looked into the distance. California rolling hills encapsulated the property. Behind those California hills sat the foreboding mountain peaks. My neighbors weren’t particularly close by, and that was fine by me. The paddock on the left had been transformed into a circular arena for participants to practice their riding skills, including leading the horses around it. It was for learning to trot and canter. I would leave the galloping for the trails.
“Damn straight. You’re going to need some help with the crops this year if this gets running right. You’re going to need a new stable, too, for the extra horses.”
I tipped my hat to my father, his silver hair shining bright in the sun. He’d always been a straightforward man. Planning for the future.
“You’re right. I have the new horses coming in. I have to get Bella to help me feel them out. We got two more. I think Moonlight is more settled now that I’m home. I can put an experienced rider who likes a challenge on her.”
My father nodded at my suggestions. I loved working alongside the old man. He was one of my greatest inspirations.
“You know what irks me, son?” He patted the soil for the arena. As he grabbed it, it turned to dust. “You never named those goddamn Palominos. They need names. How are your riders going to know?”