17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Sutton
G etting going in the morning has always been easy for me. But now that Maci occupies the bed, it’s been hard to start my day. She isn’t talking about it, but her sleep is restless. Sometimes she wakes in the middle of the night and doesn’t fall back asleep until the early hours of the morning. My touch doesn’t provide all the comfort she needs right now. Laying next to someone you want to help and not being able to do anything is a really fucked-up feeling to have. Knowing there are some things she’s going to have to work through without me sucks.
Thankfully, all of the fall calves have been delivered and the herd is in good shape, so if I’m the last one out, no one says a word. Not that they would. There’s still plenty to do around here, and I want to focus on getting the ranch team as organized as possible. It’s time for me to start determining who fills my shoes. The potential addition of the property next door has me thinking of all the ways we need to increase our efficiency, and how I can’t be the only one holding on to all the information. Which is why I’ve asked the ranch hands to meet me for a sit-down meeting. Hopefully I haven’t scared them, seeing as how we don’t really have these very often.
During the meeting with my dad, just before I met Maci, we discussed a slow transition. Yet somehow, we’ve fallen into it faster than I expected. I still keep Dad updated, but even with everything going on, he hasn’t been as present.
I know him too well to think it’s anything more than him letting me do things my way. Come into my own or some thoughtful phrase like that.
I’ve just stepped into the bunkhouse to meet with the crew when my phone rings. I have no reason to think it’s anything serious, but that doesn’t stop me from checking, and I’m surprised to see Terrence’s name flash on the caller ID.
“Good morning, sir.” I step back outside the door and shut it behind me.
“Sutton, good mornin’.” Terrence’s thick accent is so stereotypically Texas. “Wanted to let you know I’ve considered the offer you and your dad gave me.”
I try not to hold my breath. It’s not that we can’t go higher if Terrence comes back with a counteroffer, but I’d prefer to avoid it if we can. Before meeting with Terrence, Dad and I had a sit down with a financial planner in town. After getting a hold on what we have going on and what we want to accomplish, specifically to allow growth without my parents being financially tied down, he was able to set a plan and advise how to move forward with the purchase.
Just one more thing Maci and I haven’t had a chance to discuss.
“I’d like to accept.”
I blink. “Well, that’s wonderful.”
“I’d appreciate sixty days to get things in order here.” I don’t get the impression that he’s asking, but the timeline works for us, too. I hope.
“Yes, sir. Not a problem.” That will put us just into the new year. My mind is already running through what the next few months look like on our calendar, adding in what we need to accomplish to be ready for an expansion. Something Maci said previously about our role in the community stands out in my mind.
“Sounds good.”
I rub a hand over my mouth. There are a lot of people’s livelihoods involved here, and not just the people Strickland Ranch employs. “Is your team aware of the transition?”
“Yep, yep. They’re aware I’m sellin’.”
“Well, we’d be open to considering some staying on if they’d like to. I’d want to meet with them and gauge everyone’s expectations.” I’m working on the fly.
“Ok. I’ll let ’em know you’re open to it.”
“Thank you. We’ll be in touch to coordinate further. You let us know if you need anything in the meantime.”
“Same to you, Sutton. I look forward to seeing what you do out here.”
A little pride joins the mixture of emotions swirling within me.
After hanging up, I step inside the bunkhouse again. The ranch hands sit at the dining table, looking expectantly at where I stand at the door.
“Sorry about that.” My steps echo on the pier and beam floor. The fourth seat at the table is open and I sit down. “I have several things I want to go over this morning, but I’d like to start with anything you want to discuss.”
The three men exchange looks.
“Nothing’s come up on our end. How’s Maci?” Kelly asks. I don’t miss Cody and Jason deferring to him.
My knuckles tap twice on the dining table, thumping hollowly, a distraction for covering my surprised emotion. It’s odd to have them interested in my personal life. I haven’t had much of one worth discussing until recently, so it isn’t commonplace. “She’s doing better. It’ll take time.”
“Some wounds don’t heal. Not completely.” He holds my gaze. Something tells me he knows more than he’s letting on. Maybe not about what happened, but the aftermath of something like this.
I nod. “It’s true. I don’t expect she’ll ever be the exact same Maci she was.”
“Just love her through it.” We don’t speak for a few moments.
Well, this went differently than expected.
There’s a lot of that these days.
I clear my throat. “Alright, let’s get started on the news.” I rattle my phone against the table in my other hand. “That was Terrence. We’re going to be acquiring the property next door.”
Cody’s drops his chin as he speaks. “The whole ten thousand acres?”
“Yep.” I give him a gentle smile. He’s the youngest of the group, and sometimes I forget how green he is. He removes his hat and runs a hand through his short blond hair. “Some things will be easy transitions, and some may be hard. We have sixty days to get things in order over here and have a solid plan in place for what needs to happen over there.”
“ Is there a plan?” Jason is seated across the table from me.
“Somewhat.” I grin. “First things first, I’m going to need one of you to manage cow-calf operations for Strickland Ranch as we expand. We’ll also be making decisions on how we’re going to reorganize the land, if we’re going to grow the herds or add more, and what other endeavors we’ll be exploring out here.”
“What kind of things are you thinking?” Kelly perks up. He’s the oldest of the group, and the steadiest, too. I know he was injured when he was younger running the rodeo circuit, but I’ve never asked for details. I’m not sure what else he’s gotten into.
I share with them some of the things I’ve brought up with my dad, including guided hunts. “Maci also thought it could be beneficial to add opportunities for the public to stay on the ranch in private areas, and possibly participate in what we do.”
“Like a dude ranch?” Jason asks, brows furrowed.
I chuckle. “That’s what I said. But she had some good points. It makes us a destination and gives people a better idea of what we do. They pay us to be manpower. Granted, each time would be new for them, and more like teaching than actually having efficient help.”
Kelly hums. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea. There’d be things to figure out, for sure.” As an afterthought he adds, “What about a venue?”
I cock my head in question.
He continues. “Special events. Terrence has several semi-permanent structures set up. They have power and sound systems. I think a couple have big-ass fans, too. If you aren’t planning to take on horses, we can repurpose what’s there for special events. Weddings, team building, corporate events. It could tie into the dude ranch idea or not. It may compete with the fairgrounds, but that’s their problem.”
“Fuck, that’s genius.” Cody stares ahead vacantly.
I breathe a laugh at his response. “I hadn’t thought of that. I like it. Certainly something to work with.”
Kelly nods a thanks.
As the meeting continues, I feel better having them actively participate in planning for the future. After we finish, I’m torn between heading into The Big House or finding Maci. She’s the first person I wanted to tell the good news to, despite already being at the bunkhouse and diving straight into our meeting.
Fate works in my favor, because as soon as I step inside, still undecided who I want to talk to first, Maci’s voice floats down the hall. She and Mama are talking in the kitchen.
A few steps into the hallway, Maci’s beautiful head pops out from the kitchen. She grins and my heart beats faster. I will never tire of seeing her throughout the day.
“I thought I heard you come in.”
“Came to see my favorite women.” I wrap her in my arms and plant a kiss on her head. She wraps her own arms around my midsection, holding snug.
Mama smiles proudly behind her.
“Where’s Dad?”
“Right here.” My dad steps into the hallway from the living room.
Maci pulls back, but I keep hold of a hand.
“Good. Everyone got a minute?” I look between the three.
Mama’s eyebrows jump.
“Sure. We need to sit down?” Dad gestures to the dining room.
“Yeah, let’s talk for a few.” I motion for Mama to lead the way, and Dad follows suit.
Maci smiles softly at me. “I’ll let you three chat.” She shifts toward the kitchen entrance, but I squeeze her hand, drawing her attention back.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
She freezes. “I thought—”
“This pertains to you, too. You said you want to know more about the ranch, that you want this life.” My chest aches at her pleased face. I jerk my chin toward the dining room and pull her before me to the table.
“You’re doing that thing again.” Her voice is quiet. I’m not sure she meant for me to hear.
“What thing?”
Her green eyes meet mine over her shoulder. “Leading by following.”
I furrow my brows. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She gives our intertwined hands a little shake where they hang together in front of her shoulder.
“Hmm.” It’s an interesting concept. I think about its application to other areas.
We sit, and I relay the phone call from Terrence.
“That’s great news!” Mama clasps her hands in front her, her bright smile lighting the room.
“There’s still a lot to nail down.”
Mama gives me a flat-lipped smile. “Don’t diminish this. You have big plans for the ranch, and this is where they begin.”
She’s right, but I’m still trying to manage my nerves. “You’re right.”
Maci grips my hand, her cool touch a reprieve.
“I had a meeting with the hands before I came in,” I continue. “They’re completely on board and they have some great ideas, too. And I told Terrence that if anyone wants to stay on from his crew, I’d like to speak with them.”
“This is gonna be good, son.” Dad’s steady tone almost does me in. He doesn’t have to say anything else. His lit eyes and soft smile say it all.
I clear my throat.
Maci’s phone starts ringing. “Shoot, sorry.” She jumps up and yanks her cell from her pocket, hurrying into the main hallway.
“You’ll get it all organized. Let the guys help. Y’all make a great team. They’ll grow with the ranch if you let ’em. So will Maci.” Mama threads her fingers with Dad’s on the tabletop as she speaks to me.
“Your mom’s right,” Dad adds. “The crew is loyal to you. Just because we had part-time or short-term employees in the past, doesn’t mean that’s how things should go now. Trust these three, let them in, and they’ll be with you for the long haul.”
I study my dad carefully, imparting a rare bit of wisdom on me. His encouragement means everything.
Maci reseats herself next to me.
“Everything okay, sweetheart?” Mama can’t help but check in.
She nods, an unsure look on her face. “That was Melissa. Colt’s mom. She wants to meet.”
The tension from my parents is immediately palpable. Wife or not, they already care deeply for Maci. Especially Mama.
I lower my voice. “Are you going?” It doesn’t matter; they can still hear me.
“Yes. I don’t have anything to hide, and she seems genuine.”
Mama pats Maci’s hand. “She sounds like a grieving mom, from what you’ve said. Maybe she just needs a little closure.”
Maci pulls her bottom lip into her mouth. “I think you’re probably right.”