Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“I’m saving this for a rainy day.” Kane taps his temple. “Or maybe I'll text this to the family and blow everyone’s phones up this morning. Hmm. Decisions.”
“Remind me never to piss ya Bishops off.”
“Maybe I should let a coin decide?” He pulls a quarter from the top drawer of the desk.
I shake my head and laugh because we both know he’ll send it either way. “I don’t want to have any part in this.”
He flips, catches, and shows me it’s on tails.
“Guess I’m sending it,” he calls out.
“You never called a side.”
“Exactly.” Kane sends the forty-second clip to his phone, then attaches the video to a text message. “Should I send it to Hadleigh?”
I lift a brow. “How fast do you want him to find out?”
“You’re right. She’s not getting a copy yet.”
It takes him a minute to find the family and close friend group chat we helped set up for the older people. Making a show out of it, he counts down. “Three. Two. One. Blast off.”
As soon as it says delivered under his message, I swear I hear every single Bishop laugh at once. I pull out my phone, reading the message Kane attached to it.
Kane: Let’s see how long it takes for Knox to realize you all know. Don’t tell him or Hadleigh. Have a nice day!
Messages start flying in one by one.
Grandma Bishop: The Lord works in mysterious ways, and laughter is the best medicine.
Kaitlyn: OMFG. He’s an IDIOT!
Alex: Someone needs a flashlight. Also, no workman's comp.
Kiera: My poor baby. Y’all be nice.
Jackson sends a laugh-crying emoji.
Jackson: I’m never letting him live this down.
Then Riley, Diesel, Ethan, and so many more numbers all have something to say.
Ivy: For a second, I thought it was you, baby. Glad it wasn’t!
She sends a zipped-lip emoji. I swear, they’re perfect for one another.
Kane proudly grins as he reads through them.
“I have a feeling your brother is gonna lose his mind when he finds out what you did.”
“Oh, they won’t tell him for a while, but they’ll give him hints about it. Then he’ll question them, but they’ll never admit it. Hadleigh will find out first, though. Guaranteed. Oh, and before I forget…” He presses the delete key on the keyboard. “So if he gets suspicious and checks the video for it later, he’ll think there’s zero evidence.”
“Smart,” I admit. “But I guess if I had a brother like Knox, I’d have figured out all the tricks too.”
He stands, and we make our way to the feed room to start our day. After the horses are taken care of and moved to their pastures, I busy myself organizing all of our supplies. We onboard another mare, then the two of us go over the schedule. Knox finally returns, looking freshly showered and dressed.
“Hey, lifejacket,” Kane mocks.
Knox flips him the middle finger. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
When we hear the door close, Kane whispers, “He’s going to check the cameras.”
“How much you wanna bet his mood changes when he sees there isn’t any evidence of it?”
“Not a bet I’d take in a million years.” He laughs, and we go back to what we were discussing. After fifteen minutes, Knox walks over with a renewed pep in his step.
I give Kane a look, and he gives me a knowing nod but keeps his expression muted.
Knox clears his throat, his cockiness returning. “I’m gonna be makin’ the confirmation calls for next week. If there are any cancellations, I’ll probably start on the waitlist so we can get those breeding slots filled.”
“Sounds good,” Kane tells him. “I’m probably gonna go eat in about five minutes, then we can take turns.”
“Fine with me,” I tell him, then make my way over to the ranch hand truck so I can pick up supplies to build a few more shade shelters for the horses. It’s good to have a variety of coverage from the sun, especially since it’s been so damn hot lately.
On the way to the supply shed that has all of our tools, wooden posts, and cloth for the roof, I can’t help but laugh at Knox. When I park, I text Kaitlyn.
Payton: How many times have you watched the video?
Kaitlyn: My mind has replayed it a thousand times. My parents have been snickering all morning. That was gold.
Payton: Your other brother’s idea.
Kaitlyn: See, I’m not the only one who’s a savage. You sure you wanna make babies with me?
Payton: Absolutely.
No catching feelings.
I shove my phone into my pocket, then load up everything I need. It takes me about thirty minutes, and when I pull back up to the facility, they’re unloading a new horse. I take over for Kane as he handles the client.
Right after I get the new mare settled, my phone buzzes in my pocket again.
Kaitlyn: GET YOUR ASS HOME RIGHT NOW!