Chapter 1
Chapter One
Beau Williams sat in the plush chair in front of Derek Hawkins, owner of Rawhide Ranch, trying not to look as nervous as he felt.
The knot in his lower belly felt exactly like the time a stubborn old mule had kicked him.
Beau was used to being in front of thousands of people, but somehow the Ranch Master made him more nervous.
Beau was a motivational speaker who had come from foster care.
He’d had no favors in life, and when he turned eighteen, he’d been given a few hundred dollars and a half-hearted “Good luck, kid”.
It had been a struggle to find his way and become as successful as he had.
He blamed his past for many mistakes, but despite the trauma, he had made something of himself and wanted others to know their past didn’t define them either.
He started with a blog, then a few social media channels, and his podcast followed soon after.
Over the years his platform had grown and grown.
Now he was a full-time motivational speaker with a following of over fifteen million.
He’d only been at the Ranch for six weeks and his chest already tightened at the thought of leaving.
Rawhide Ranch, created by Derek’s great-great-great-grandfather and his twin brother, was such a wonderful place.
It offered safety, education, entertainment, and most importantly, a sense of family.
Growing up in foster care caused found family to be really special to him.
He admired Derek’s ability to give people that.
Not even his best lecture on overcoming your past could give people a sense of belonging and he envied the good Derek was doing in the world.
Well, not envied it, just wished he could do it as well.
“I’m impressed,” Derek told him.
The Ranch owner’s words shocked him enough that Beau just sat there blinking.
“I’m sorry?” he asked after a moment, almost believing he’d imagined the praise.
Derek just chuckled in that knowing way of his.
“When my wife approached me and said she felt like we needed you to come to the Ranch, I didn’t know where she was coming from.
Clearly, the Ranch has counselors and a lot of people here are pretty open about sharing their pasts, so I couldn’t see her vision, but after sitting in on your seminars the last few weeks, I agree. ”
Derek leaned back in his chair, threading his fingers behind his head.
“I’m not too proud to admit when I make a mistake.
I had a wonderful upbringing surrounded by uplifting people and while I do pride myself on the beauty and healing the Ranch brings people, I’d never considered hiring a motivational speaker for others who struggle with where they came from.
Your sister could have been any of my members looking for a place to belong and I was touched by that.
I’m so sorry for what happened to her and I admire your bravery for sharing both your stories. ”
The familiar feeling of grief filled his stomach as Beau remembered his younger sister.
Beau and Ansley had only had three years together after leaving the foster system before her murder.
Her death had been talked about on multiple news outlets.
The online stalker who had killed her had shown no mercy and her death had been terrible.
Beau was still dodging true-crime podcasters who wished for him to be on their shows.
He would never agree to them. Ansley’s life had been more than just content.
Her death went back to that sense of belonging most people in foster care never received.
In looking for acceptance and companionship, she’d stumbled upon a sick individual who had taken her life. Beau shivered at his memories.
“I don’t think I will ever stop missing Ansley, but the grief gets more bearable every time I do a seminar. I feel like I have a little more closure each time I am able to help someone. It’s why I use my past on my platform,” he said, instead of sharing his dark thoughts.
Derek nodded. “I know she would be very proud of you and I imagine you help more people than you could even imagine.”
“I certainly hope so.” That hope had kept him going over the last few years. Hope and his work were the only things that kept his grief from swallowing him whole.
“Have you enjoyed your time here?” Derek asked.
Beau nodded, thankful their talk sounded less like an interview.
Some of his nerves dissipated as he reflected on his time at Rawhide over the past several weeks.
Derek’s family had built a truly magical place.
“I have. Immensely.” He’d taken a few classes, enjoyed new foods, ridden a horse, and enjoyed playing with his pseudo-niece, Pippi, and her Little friends.
The memory of her dragging him around to meet her friends put a smile on his lips.
Being Uncle Beau Bear meant so much to him.
“How would you feel about living on the Ranch full time?”
“Full time?” Beau asked. “T-That would be a dream.”
Derek grinned. “Good. I would like to offer you a job. Many of my members are searching for a place to belong while dealing with the trauma of their past. Your seminars are beautiful and I believe they can bring a lot of hurting hearts to closure. I want to make them a permanent part of Rawhide’s curriculum. ”
Opening and closing his mouth much like the fish in one of the Ranch’s ponds, Beau finally found his words, “I would be honored to work for Rawhide.”
“Perfect. Welcome home, Beau,” Derek answered, looking relieved.
A chuckle burst from Beau. “I’m sorry to laugh, it's just that you look so relieved when I’m over here trying not to scream like a schoolgirl gifted Taylor Swift tickets.”
Derek laughed this time. “I am very relieved. I had no idea where to find another one of you if you declined and I do worry about my wife’s wrath.”
Snorting, Beau stuck out his hand. “They exist, I promise, but I accept your offer. Thank you.”
Derek shook his hand. “I'll start drafting your contract today.”
“Thank you, Derek. Really. Not to sound whimsical, but this is a dream come true.”
“No, thank you. Like I said, we needed this. How long do you need to gather all of your belongings? We have storage on site and we can change your space around anyway you need. I will make sure to speak to Erika and let her know you’re welcome to use one of the business offices for your podcasts, I do just ask you not to disclose your location on your channels.
I would never ask you to only work for Rawhide as I applaud your platform, but I have a commitment to the Ranch’s privacy,” Derek said, walking around to the front of his desk and propping his hip on it.
“I totally understand. I will uphold its privacy with the utmost respect. I’ll just need a week to get everything moved.”
“There’s no rush. You take as much time as you need.”
“I’ll probably list my home as an AirBNB as I do that when I’m on tour, and I can do it from here. I would just like to grab some personal things.”
“Excellent. Would starting May 18th work for you?”
“That’s perfect.” Despite his argument that he only needed a week, Derek had given him two. Another small act of kindness that reflected the hearts at Rawhide Ranch.
“Do you have any questions?”
“No, none at the moment.”
“Well, if you think of any, I’m sure Sam can answer them or you’re welcome to email me.”
At the mention of Sam, Beau felt a familiar fondness fill his chest. Sam Denton and his wife Catherine were some of Beau’s closest friends.
The couple had actually played a large part in Beau being able to bring his seminars to Rawhide—along with Sadie, Derek’s wife.
Sam and Catherine were also the proud Mommy and Daddy to Pippi, his pseudo niece.
“I’m really excited. Being a part of the Rawhide family is such an honor.”
“That’s what I love to hear.” Derek studied him for a minute. “Before you go, I do want to bounce an idea off of you first.”
“Sure.”
“Palmer Presley has taken your classes. Have you engaged with her much?”
“I have. She is darlin’.” The timid redhead crossed his mind much more than he should allow. She’d paid perfect attention and thanked him after his lecture. She’d hesitated before she left and Beau had spent many hours wondering what she’d wanted to say.
“She is the absolute sweetest and between the two of us, I’m worried about her,” Derek said.
“Oh?” Derek’s words put a damper on Beau’s happy mood. He hated the idea of anything bothering the sweet Little girl.
“She came from an abusive foster home after losing her mother. Of all people, I know you understand the pain of her past.”
Beau nodded. He did. Intimately.
“During her intake, she said she identified at about eight. She is doing wonderfully with her peers that age and she hasn’t been in any trouble since starting eight weeks ago, but I don’t believe she’s being completely honest with us.
I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but I don’t feel like she is happy.
She often seems tired and tearful. Overly compliant.
Very quick to volunteer. Obedient to a fault, but I don’t think she’s happy.
I think she is terrified of upsetting us so she won’t tell us what she really needs.
I suspect it has something to do with the headspace she is playing at.
I’m almost positive she is younger than she told me.
Her mannerisms are very little. I don’t believe she maliciously lied, but again, I think she is scared of being a burden. ”
“Poor baby. Her past has probably taught her asking for what she needs only gets her hurt.” Beau knew how hard that was firsthand.
“I believe so. I know with your past you could really guide her and I was hoping you two could spend some time together. The Littles in the Littles’ Wing must be accompanied by a Big at all times and I was hoping I could assign you to her.
I’m not sure that she’s ready for a Daddy yet, but I’ll be honest, I do think you two would make a wonderful pair.
I would like to see her with a soft Dom and I think you would be perfect for her. ”
“I would be glad to help however I can.”
Derek nodded. “That’s what I hoped you'd say. I haven’t talked to her yet, clearly. I wanted to see where your head was on it. I will speak to her today. Could you come to the Big House for dinner?”
“Absolutely. What time?”
“Let's shoot for six.”
The men talked for a few more minutes before Derek was called away to handle Ranch business.
Beau slipped his hands in his pockets as he walked down the halls of his new home. A smile tugged at his lips as images of a sweet Little redhead filled his mind.