Chapter 19 #2
I followed suit, rubbing a palm over the horse and murmured the soothing words that always calmed Wildflower before carefully mounting his back. He showed no resistance, no micro-tensions in his body, indicating he had no problem with me being atop him.
Kitt had ranch science down. He knew what he was doing.
I now had my mentor for the dream of opening a sanctuary.
I’d do my best to retain anything he taught me.
He led us away from the barn and I followed his direction.
As we crested another rolling hill, a large house came into view in the distance, which I assumed to be Kitt’s home.
Between us and that house sat a metal building that appeared to be Kitt’s destination.
He rode straight up to the building. Several vehicles were parked in the parking lot in the rear, but we continued on to the front where several hitching posts were placed.
All right, this was cool. I wanted this on my ranch.
“This is my main office. Austin has an office here too, but he also has one in our house and down at the studio. He’s rarely here anymore.” Kitt tied Hooch to the post then gathered Whiskey’s reins to do the same as I dismounted.
“Wow,” I said, awed when we walked into the only door I saw.
When I stepped fully inside, I did a full circle, taking it all in.
We were met with large graphs, whiteboards, and massive computers and printing machines.
The magic of the ranch clearly came from the science happening before me.
This honestly blew my mind, and I glanced at Kitt who took his hat off again, carrying it in his hand.
“It’s customary to have an office attached to a barn, but this made more sense for me,” Kitt explained, leading us to a table in the back of the center room that had several rolls of large paper on top.
“I took liberty in havin’ these blueprints pulled together.
We have an architect who’s developed all our land. ”
Kitt unrolled one set of plans. He lifted his gaze to me as he placed his hands on each side of the architectural blueprints. “I’ve assumed you’re on board with what Slade has told us.”
“The sanctuary?” I asked, all my attention focused on the structures drawn on the paper. “I’m in. I’m not sure what’s gonna happen with me and Slade, so I want to lease his land that backs against mine in some sort of formal way. He doesn’t know that yet.”
“If he’s anything like Austin, I bet that decision won’t go over well,” Kitt said, his lip twitching as if fighting a grin at whatever memory popped into his head.
“It’s the reason he has a small office in here too.
He wants to be a part of everything I do regardless of whether he understands or not. ”
“Seems like Slade too,” I said and tapped a finger on the plans. “Tell me about these.”
“Like I said, I took lots of liberties that may or may not be for you. You’ll have to be completely honest with me,” he explained, and lifted his hands, the multiple sheets staying in place.
“These are quickly drawn, close to the same design of several animal refuges around the country. Of course, you’ll make changes to make it yours.
Think of this as the starting point. I’ve got a few for you to look over. ”
I was astonished, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. “Thank you.” This was all above my head, and I crossed my arms over my chest. I’d never seen an actual set of blueprints.
“Slade explained that your current barn’s close to your home. If you move forward, you should consider pulling it farther away and let it create its own functional environment. Have the two structures separate. Let your current barn be your office or your private horse barn.”
I followed along as he pointed out the various areas on the blueprints.
“I didn’t have access to a lot of land. I own almost ten acres,” I explained.
He slowly turned the pages. If I understood what I was seeing, the plans included fences, additional barns and several paddocks. I took over the turn of each page, wanting to see it all.
“The plans are rough but were built taking into account the state’s animal welfare laws.
No barbed wire, lots of shade trees, additional run-in structures to get the animals out of the elements.
These plans include a biosecurity center in your original barn for easier access to veterinary care.
I’m licensed to handle many things myself, that’ll help with money and cash flow to make it all happen.
My sister’s my vet. She has room in her practice to take your ranch on too. She’s fairly priced.”
“Biosecurity like infectious diseases?” I asked, impressed by the thought that had gone into these plans.
“Yes, exactly,” Kitt answered.
We stood in silence as I rolled the original plans and opened the other ones. They kept me captivated until the final page.
“Can I take these home?” I finally lifted my gaze back to his. “Thank you for doin’ this.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll have these gathered and ready for you before you leave.
My architect’s information’s on each plan.
He’s waitin’ for your call,” Kitt said as he rolled the final set of plans back together.
“You’ll also need a business plan to help get your funding started.
I can help you with that too, no problem. ”
A business plan? I had no idea what that entailed. I just wanted to take in as many horses and other animals as needed my help.
Kitt chuckled at the confusion that must have been on my face. “Unfortunately, the state doesn’t make it easy to get licensed. You’ll need one.”
Hmm. I was behind the curve in making this happen in Wildflower’s memory.
“Come on. There’s more to see.”
We left the plans on the table and we went through a door to a small hall.
The next door required a code to enter. After a series of beeps, the door unlatched and opened.
We entered a fully functioning laboratory.
With the beakers, test tubes, people in white coats, it couldn’t have been anything else.
The several staff members inside never stopped working, seemingly ignoring our arrival.
In the furthest corner of the room were several large drum barrels.
Kitt guided me that way. “We’re on the leadin’ edge of embryo transfer technology.
We can now detect critical genetic, developmental, and biological characteristics as long as we get the egg seven or eight days after ovulation.
This is what I’m the proudest of.” He ran his hand the length of one barrel’s lid.
“Wildflower’s eggs are stored here. Maybe think about lettin’ me pair her with Hooch.
From what I understand, they had a lot of the same traits. Only a suggestion.”
Again, the pain of losing her wasn’t my first reaction, but it did show up this time as a slight pang in my gut. “Let’s talk about that in the future.” I managed a nod, and Kitt followed with another as if he understood.
“Sure. The offer’s here if you want it,” Kitt said, leading us out a back door into another small barn with a large treatment area and examining bays.
No animals were present, but from the setup it was likely the place Kitt handled inseminations.
“It’s lunchtime. My stepmother still provides my hands with food. I usually eat there.”
“What about Slade and Austin?” I asked, keeping pace with Kitt’s long stride through a Dutch door next to a large sliding stall door for the animals when they arrive. We walked around the building, back to the waiting horses.
“They might be there, but probably not. Austin’s in salesman mode, so he’ll be pullin’ out all the stops.
The restaurant on the studio grounds has a Michelin star chef.
They make anything from a ham sandwich to a gourmet meal at any given moment.
I like eatin’ with the hands. Their unguarded words are somethin’ I need to hear to help make better decisions. ”
I mounted at the same time he did. This time, I recognized the feel of the animal underneath me. It had been a long time since I’d been back in a saddle, but it still felt right as rain.