Chapter 98

“Tomorrow we’ll practice some more. We’ll have to pen three calves in the contest,” Rio told Mark.

After the two men put the horses out to graze, they walked back toward the barn at a leisurely pace. Neither seemed in a hurry to have their morning together be over. For Rio it was a matter of wanting to squeeze in every second he could before Saturday when Mark would leave. He wished he could make time stand still. Rio wondered if Mark was feeling anything similar.

When they got to the stable, Rio asked, “What ya got planned for the rest of your day?”

“Alan and John want to spend some time at the pool. They said that Sonny suggested a sunset trail ride.”

“And you?”

“Nothing really. Any suggestions?” Mark turned to Rio with what the cowboy interpreted as a hopeful look.

“Not unless you’re into muckin’ out stalls and ridin’ fence to see if any needs mendin’?”