Chapter Thirty-Four
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
When Doug and Katy returned to the ranch Butch raced up to the truck to meet them, while Billy jogged up behind him.
“Butch is so excited we’re back, and we haven’t even been gone that long,” Katy exclaimed.
“Probably because of all the drama we’ve been through,” Doug remarked, “but Billy looks anxious to see us too. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“Hi, so how was it?” Billy asked with a smile.
“Great, but what’s goin’ on?”
“Good news. Katy, you know that Bigfoot you thought you saw?”
“Of course. I’ll never forget it, though I have a theory about it now.”
“Well, Sheriff Cooper just left. He went down the trail to check out the area and he found a man’s boot prints right near where you said you were. But that’s not all. His deputies explored the trees above the lake to see what they could find. They found only men’s boot tracks, and a short distance from there, human blood. He thinks it’s linked to the guy claimin’ to be that surfer dude, Craig Bradley. Tests are bein’ done right now.”
“So there’s no Bigfoot. I didn’t think so,” Doug exclaimed. “By the way, thanks again for comin’ over at such short notice.”
“Hey, no problem, and I’m available whenever you need me. I quit the feed store today.”
“Really. Why don’t you come into the house and tell us all about this over a cup of coffee. I have some news of my own I need to give you.”
“I still have to load the wheelbarrows with the hay for tonight.”
“I’m back now. It won’t take long with the two of us. Besides, you deserve a break.”
* * *
A few minutes later, sitting at the table enjoying cookies and coffee while Butch stayed glued to Katy’s side, Billy told them he’d decided to leave the feed store because he wanted to become a full-time ranch manager or assistant trainer.
“You were born to it, Billy, and you won’t have to look far. I’ve decided to accept the Rutherford’s offer to run their new facility, and I think you’re more than capable of takin’ over for me here. I have no doubt Blake will agree. You know this place as well as I do, the clients like you, and more importantly, the horses trust you. There’s no-one better to fill my boots.”
“Damn. I don’t know what to say. Thank you…I mean…wow. This is the last thing I expected.”
“There’s an old saying,” Katy exclaimed. “Timing in life is everything, and it seems right now you’ve got it. Oh, excuse me, I need to take this. It’s the campground,” she said, accepting the call and stepping into the hallway.
“I’m off to finish fillin’ those wheelbarrows,” Billy declared. “Thanks again, Doug. I really appreciate your faith in me.”
Suddenly alone at the table Doug sipped his coffee and thought about the bright days ahead. Managing the barn at the Rutherford estate would be a breeze, and he couldn’t wait to move into the spacious guest house with Katy. But he still wanted to own his own training facility again.
“Um, Doug, I need to talk to you,” Katy said, breaking into his thoughts as she walked back in.
“ Is it about your job?”
“Yes, I’ve been hired, but there’s something else. Something big. but—uh—”
“What’s goin’ on?”
“I gave a mug of your hot chocolate to the manager and he went crazy for it. He let the chef taste it, and he went crazy for it too.”
“Wait, you did what?”
“I thought you could either provide it for them pre-made, or sell them the recipe. I don’t know how you’d go about something like this, but they want it and they’re willing to pay for it. I think you could make a bunch of money.”
“Katy! I can’t believe it! You’re brilliant,” he exclaimed, rising and pulling her into his arms. “How did you come up with this?”
“Well, I’ve had the hot chocolate they offer, and it’s decent, but it’s not a patch on yours, and I thought, wow, I’d pay way more for yours than theirs. So I decided to take it over there and see what they thought. I mean, the food is so good, the hot chocolate is disappointing in comparison. It tastes like it came out of a tin, and it probably has.”
“I honestly don’t know what to say, or even how to go about this, but I’m going to find out.”
“I just had another thought.”
“Of course you did.”
“The owner of the Cupcake Heaven Pastry Shop would know exactly how to approach the campground, and he’s a really nice guy. I’ll call him and set up a meeting. Is something wrong?” she asked as frown crossed his brow.
“I was just thinkin’ about workin’ towards havin’ my own facility again. Every penny that hot chocolate makes will go right into the bank towards it…and Katy…I want you by my side every step of the way.”