Cowgirl Up ✔️

Chapter Nine

Sunday morning Blayze dragged me out of bed bright and early (well c'mon who doesn't call 7:30 early on a Sunday?) to attend the December Cattle Sales with him.
After breakfast, we walked down to find the hands finishing up loading the Cattle into the Farm Truck.
"Are you taggin along Bails?"
Uncle Lukas seemed strangely surprised as he walked my way.
Blayze told me I had to...
"Uh Blayze..."
I looked over my shoulder, but the guy in question was off checking the cattle and the gates at the back of the truck.
Apparently he doesn't trust anybody else to do it properly...
I turned back to my Uncle and shrugged.
"Blayze said."
Uncle Lukas' lips twitched, his green eyes dancing.
I frowned.
What's that all about?
Uncle Lukas shook his head.
"Guess he can suck up a day with you better than he can some of the boys. I roped him into goin coz shits been so hectic lately that I need to spend my day with Bridey and the kids. You and Blayze can handle it yeah?"
I nodded.
"Yup. Enjoy the day with your cute as family!"
"There'll be a profit involved for ya both."
My Uncle patted me on the back and headed off, obviously ready to go join his family.
I walked toward the truck and Blayze who was headed to the truck cab.
"Jump in and we'll hit the road."
In typical Blayze form, he sensed me coming.
Is the bloke supernatural or what?
No, I think he just spends too much time around horses, dogs and cattle and know's how to use his senses properly...
"Righto."
I moved around the bonnet of the truck to climb into the passenger seat.
The truck can fit three people comfortably into the cab, but generally speaking, for your run of the mill sales it doesn't require more than two people to attend.
Plus Blayze didn't seem to think we were going to need any help.
If you were confident and competent around cattle, two people at a sale was sufficient.
Blayze started the truck to let the Diesel engine warm up a bit before we asked it to perform.
Then he started fiddling around with the UHF radio and the truck radio.
I decided to be blunt.
"So why'd you choose me?"
He glanced my way, hand still on the dials of the radio.
"Don't I always?"
I rolled my eyes.
"It's been about two years since I went to a sale alone with you."
"Well I wasn't here for this year was I?"
No.
He was living it up with the bull rider's and buckle bunnies in the U.S.A.
"I'm not complaining, I'm just curious. You could've chosen one of the boys?"
Blayze winked.
"Yeah but if I choose you I get to hang out with someone better looking and more entertaining don't I?"
My heart stopped in my chest and I felt my cheeks grow rapidly hot.
The thing is, he meant it totally jokingly.
My silly heart just wanted to believe it otherwise.
"Wh-whatever."
I brushed it off and pulled my seat belt on.
Blayze put the truck into gear and started it rolling across the farm yard, the cattle mooing and shuffling around in the back, occasionally jostling the ride a bit.
As we started to cruise down the driveway he slipped his own seat belt on, momentarily handling the large steering one handed.

Monday morning it was back to work on the farm.
My alarm went off at 5:30 and soon I was dressed and joining the others in the out dining area.
"Morning Princess."
It was Uncle Lukas who handed me a ready made coffee.
Even in my sleepy state, I managed to feel surprised.
"You know how I have my coffee?"
Uncle Lukas winked.
"Blayze made it, I was just pretending to claim it."
My memory kicked in.
Blayze and I have coffee the same.
"Is this Blayze's?"
I eyed the blue and white snowflake mug.
It wouldn't surprise me if Uncle Lukas was trying to piss Blayze off and was giving me his coffee...
They always like to annoy one another.
Somebody brushed by me.
"No, this is Blayze's. He just figured you'd be here soon."
Blayze picked up a black mug with moons on it from the bench.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Oh cool thanks."
Uncle Lukas looked to Blayze then turned to me.
"How do you feel about gettin a crash course in hoof filing?"
"Ummm what?"
I pulled my sleepy attention from my coffee.
Uncle Lukas and Blayze laughed at me.
I groaned.
"Leave me alone it's Monday!"
Blayze raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Didn't I hear that excuse on Friday?"
I scowled at him.
Both he and Uncle Lukas laughed again.
Uncle Lukas nodded in Blayze's direction.
"I want ya to give Blayze a hand filing this morning."
"Uh that's cool, but don't I normally have to ride boundary?"
And since when does Blayze need help filing any of our horses' hooves?
I mentally added.
"Not today."
Blayze moved around the counter and walked to the long breakfast bench.
Uncle Lukas and I moved over there after him, joining the rest of the crew ready to tuck into a plentiful breakfast.
I shot Uncle Lukas a questioning glance.
He shrugged and set his coffee onto the table.
Guess nether one of them is going to offer up a real reason.