Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
BamBam
“He’s a beauty, Issy,” I say as I brush the quarter horse she wanted me to meet. “You planning to train him to barrel race?”
“Hell yeah,” she replies, grinning at me. “Moonlight’s Shadow, Shadow for short, has championship lines. In fact, I’ll start putting out feelers to stud him out since his sire is Moonlight’s Gaze.”
My hands stop what I’ve been doing as I look at her, shocked to my core. While I don’t keep up with the circuit as closely as Issy does, even I’ve heard of Moonlight’s Gaze. He’s sired countless champions in pretty much every category. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
She smirks while slowly shaking her head. “It was pure coincidence that I was able to buy Shadow. Seems another buyer fell through and didn’t meet the contract deadlines, and I was next on the waiting list. Since that’s one of the goals we have for the ranch, I didn’t hesitate to wire the money.”
“Can’t say as I blame you, Issy. Now, who are we taking out today?”
“Starlight and Stargazer, of course,” she teases. “Gotta keep my girls in top form.”
I snicker as I head back to the tack room to grab the saddle and other gear that I use when riding.
Pancho and Luis keep it neat and organized, which isn’t too difficult since there are only a few of us who still ride.
While most of the brothers grew up and around the club, the majority now prefer to ride their steel horses versus the living breathing animal.
Not me, though. The freedom isn’t quite the same as no horse has the ability to run as fast as my bike but being out in the open gives me the same dopamine hit without the worry of stupid distracted drivers trying to mow me down.
As we saddle up the girls, I ask, “Who are you thinking of studding Shadow with?”
“Probably Gazer,” she admits. “Can you imagine the foal or foals?”
“Jesus, you’re trying to build an empire, aren’t you?”
“Well, the Triple R is well known for its stock. I’m just trying to ensure the heritage continues to grow,” she replies. “Now, are you ready to ride or what?”
Issy and I spend a few hours riding around the ranch as I take in the improvements and changes that’ve been made.
Since this isn’t my expertise per se, I just do a lot of nodding, especially when we check out the area of the ranch where the rodeos are held.
New, upgraded fencing surrounds the arena, and the chutes where the broncs as well as the bulls emerge has been reinforced with the latest gates recommended by the professionals.
Every building has had a fresh coat of paint, and I see that Issy got her way when it came to bathrooms. There are no more porta-potties, which I personally hate.
Instead, there are two buildings, similar to what you’d find at a campground, one for each sex.
Each has multiple stalls that have real doors, not curtains, and they’re both handicap accessible for those who use mobility devices.
With stained concrete floors, they’ll be easy to clean and won’t have the stench that portable bathrooms typically have.
Knowing Issy, there’s probably already a janitorial team in place to ensure that both stay clean for the guests who’ll attend the rodeo.
While I’m not in the loop as far as that goes, I know the planning is in high gear.
“These are fucking fantastic, Issy,” I tell her after coming back out from doing a thorough tour.
“I like the fact that there’s a separate area in the one for the women with comfortable seating in case someone is breastfeeding.
They don’t have to hang out in a stall and sit on those uncomfortable toilet lids while nursing. ”
“Right? I’ve been taking notes for a long time with respect to what I liked and didn’t like on the circuit. When Rafe and I talked about making the one we’re having this year be a tribute to Gage, he said to do what I wanted to make it the best rodeo around.”
“Well, you’re on target from what I can tell,” I reply as I look around.
Food alley has some buildings in place that’ve already been spiffed up, plus there are plenty of spaces left for the food trucks that will be available.
For a fee, of course, because they’ll make bank during the rodeo itself.
The Triple R takes a percentage of their total sales for profit, which Nerd oversees, since he’s the club’s treasurer.
Add in the fees for entering the various events, plus the ticket sales, and it’s a great way for the club to launder money from some of the businesses we run that aren’t as legit.
“It’s definitely coming around and looking good,” she murmurs as she glances around with a critical eye, checking for things she may want to improve before the grand opening.
“Oh, and I added an area for kids under ten as well. It’s going to have a petting zoo, and also several activities geared toward them, like a couple of bounce houses, as well as some games so they can win prizes. ”
“Fuck, you’ve thought of everything,” I praise.
“Pretty much. I’ve got a company coming in to put up several vendor buildings since Western wear, as well as all the bells and whistles, sells well at these things.
We’re using local vendors, too, so items that are purchased will be unique.
We’re trying to make sure we’re the event to beat on the circuit,” she states.
“I think you’ll accomplish that just with the new bathrooms,” I tease.
“Yeah, whatever. Okay, I need to get these two back. You going to help get them ready to turn out or do I need to have Pancho help?” she asks.
“I rode her, I’ll brush her down,” I retort. “I’ve always done that, don’t foresee me changing anything now.”
She nods and we leisurely make our way back to the barn where these two are housed. Working in companionable silence, I’m thinking about Livy when I realize that Issy’s talking to me. “Repeat that please?” I ask. “Was gathering wool.”
“I asked if Livy got settled in okay at Hope House,” she says. “There’s something about her I like, Bam.”
“Yes, she was getting settled when I dropped her off. She’s got a steel spine for sure. She might think she’s broken and damaged right now, but there’s grit and fire,” I reply.
“Agreed. Think she’ll become a part of the club?”
“Quit fishing, Issy, it’s not like that,” I rumble.
“So you say, but I saw how you were watching her. Not only that, but you didn’t seem to mind helping her with Theo,” she teases.
“She’s got a lot of healing before she’s even going to be able to think about another relationship,” I caution.
“And you’re one of the most patient men I’ve ever met, BamBam,” she asserts. “What was it that your dad always said?”
“Slow and steady wins the race,” I mumble.
“Except during barrels of course,” she adds, giggling.
“But he was right, especially in this instance. She’s like an untrained, unbroken foal.
We could do what some trainers do and whip them into shape, instilling them with fear so they perform on command.
Instead, we train our stock the way paps, Pancho, Luis, and your dad did with patience and compassion.
And look at how well the horses we’ve trained over the years have done, either running the circuit, or becoming part of a family. ”
“You’re right,” I admit. “I know initially she’ll be at Hope House for thirty days, but I suspect she’s going to need at least sixty to come to terms with everything.
I can tell she’s blocking a lot of what happened to her, and if she wants to heal, she’s going to have to allow her therapist all the way in. ”
“So, be her friend. It’s that simple, BamBam. When she’s allowed to have visitors, go and take her and Theo to the park. Have a picnic. Hell, take her shopping since I’m almost positive that with her healing she’s going to need new clothes.”
“What do you mean?” I ask as we finish up with the horses and head toward the big house. I’ll veer off to the clubhouse once we hit that fork in the path, but for now, we’re walking next to one another, and I want her insight.
“I know it didn’t escape your Enforcer senses, which are almost as good as Spidey-senses by the way, that she’s severely malnourished and underweight.
The clothes you picked up for her will end up being too small as she reclaims some of what she’s lost. Also, if you’re wanting to give her more time, maybe rent one of those places in town near the laundromat then give her a job.
Make her want to stay here so that by the time she’s healed, you’re enmeshed in her life. ”
I think about what Issy’s just said and nod.
She can’t come out and stay at the ranch unless she’s an ol’ lady or a club girl.
One she’s definitely not ready for and the other?
Well, I’ll never judge the girls who are there for the brothers in whatever capacity they need, but Livy doesn’t strike me as that kind of woman.
Especially not after her treatment at the hands of a man she knew well.
“I think I’ll work on doing that,” I reply as we hit the fork. “Let Rio know if he needs me, I’ll be in my room.”
She winks at me and teases while walking away, “So will he, but I’ll be sure to pass the message along.”